[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: Release of Port Stanvac Desal Plant EIS - Greens response

[Parnell]

Media Release
Tuesday 11th November, 2008

Release of Port Stanvac Desal Plant EIS - Greens response

 

The most important environmental question related to the Adelaide desal
plant - whether this is the best water security option for Adelaide -
will not be answered by the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
released today, says Greens MLC Mark Parnell.

"The biggest danger with this plant is that the massive ongoing cost
will derail Government spending on better alternatives.  This Government
spends a pittance on stormwater recovery and re-use compared with the
cost of this plant, despite stormwater being cheaper, quicker and better
for the environment," said Mr Parnell.

Greens MLC Mark Parnell has obtained copies of the Request for
Expressions of Interest (tender) document for the plant.  Included in
the monthly Operation and Maintenance (O&M) component of the service
contract will be a 'shutdown charge'. This is a penalty clause that will
discourage SA Water from ever turning off the desal plant, even if we
don't need the water.

"The Government needs to reveal exactly how much taxpayers will be
liable under these types of 'take or pay' clauses. 

"Even if we get some good rains and the Happy Valley reservoir
overflows, if SA Water asks the private operator to turn off their plant
we will still be charged.    This is a massive disincentive for SA Water
to invest in other options - Government hard heads might think: 'if it's
going to cost us anyway, we might as well just take the desal water',"
he said.

The Government has also failed to commit to the plant being genuinely
powered by 100% new renewable energy, only stating that 'electricity
(will be) supplied from the grid, but sourced from Renewable Energy
sources'.

"The Government has still failed to genuinely commit to 100% new
renewable energy.  This is a brand new project; it needs to be powered
by brand new renewable energy.  

"New renewable energy costs more, which will add significantly to the
already massive electricity cost of producing desalinated water, but
unless they make this commitment, their green energy claims will be
nothing more than empty spin," he said.

 

	
For further comment contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893



---------------------------------------------------------------------
"The information in this e-mail may be confidential and/or legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, access to it is unauthorised and any disclosure, copying, distribution or action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it is prohibited and may be unlawful."