[Greens-Media] Clean coal technology * another coal industry con job

[Lee Rhiannon]

Media Release - 19 September 2007 

Clean coal technology * another coal industry con job: Greens call
for Clean Energy 21 Conference

Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon warned today that clean
coal projects announced at the Coal 21 Conference being held in the
Hunter could not deliver the urgent reduction needed in greenhouse gas
pollution.

"The annual Coal 21 Conference is a marketing tool of the coal
companies to prolong the life of the industry at a time when it is under
heavy criticism and increased scrutiny because of the threat of runaway
climate change," Ms Rhiannon said.

"Even the most enthusiastic backers of clean coal admit that this
technology will not be commercially viable for a decade.

"Research and promotion of clean coal projects is being used to
maintain a business as usual approach so coal companies profits continue
to soar.

"The NSW and federal governments are wasting millions of dollars of
public money on clean coal research that should be spent on fast
tracking the renewable energy industry and energy efficiency technology.
It is time NSW hosted an annual Clean Energy 21 Conference.

"The Economics of Climate Change Report by Sir Nicholas Stern, former
World Bank chief economist, clearly shows that reducing greenhouse gas
emissions immediately is the cheapest option and essential to limiting
the total damage climate change will bring.

"The coal industry and its backers in the Liberal and Labor parties are
trying to con the public that it is safe to mine and burn coal because
there is a technology fix to get rid of the dangerous emissions.

"The NSW and federal governments are being highly irresponsible in
backing clean coal technology.

"Even if some of the carbon dioxide produced by coal fired power
stations can be successfully captured and stored, waiting at least ten
years for this technology to work is too risky.

"All the advice from the Stern Report and the United Nations
International Panel on Climate Change highlights the need to reduce
emissions now.

"If the coal industry continues unchecked in the coming decade NSW coal
exports will add more than 2.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide to the
atmosphere.

"Every tonne of export Australian coal comes back to us as climate
change * more droughts, water shortages and sea level rises," Ms
Rhiannon said. 

For more information * 9230 3551, 0427 861 568


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Lee Rhiannon, MLC
The Greens
Parliament of New South Wales
Macquarie St 
Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Email lee.rhiannon at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web http://www.lee.greens.org.au/

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