[Greens-Media] Methane gas leaks mean coal seam gas moratorium is a must

[Max Phillips]

JEREMY BUCKINGHAM MLC - MEDIA RELEASE     15 November 2012

Methane gas leaks mean coal seam gas moratorium is a must  

The Greens NSW spokesperson on mining Jeremy Buckingham today called on
Premier Barry O'Farrell to implement a moratorium on the coal seam gas
industry in NSW after a scientific study showed high levels of methane
leaking into the atmosphere from a coal seam gas field in Tara,
Queensland. 
 
"Barry O’Farrell must impose a moratorium on this industry until the
true nature of coal seam gas leaks can be properly assessed,” said
Greens MP Jeremy Buckingham.
 
"The levels of methane detected by the scientific study are extremely
concerning from a climate perspective, from a health perspective, and
highlights that fracking and depressurising coal seams is having
wide-spread environmental effects.
 
"The methane in coal seam gas is usually associated with carbon dioxide
and other gases including a number of volatile organic compounds and
chemicals which can have serious impacts on human health such as
benzene, toluene, and xylenes.  Are these volatile organic compounds
also leaking into the environment?
 
"Given AGL's has a proposal for 66 coal seam gas wells near
Campbelltown currently before the Department of Planning, how can the
Premier, who is also the Minister for Western Sydney, let this industry
go ahead when scientific evidence suggests high levels of gas leakage. 

 
"Industry body APPEA is sounding more and more like the tobacco
industry in their public relations spin designed to discredit and
dismiss the scientific studies. 
 
"Coal seam gas is a major new industry and should not proceed while
there are still huge questions relating to its safety, environmental
impact and necessity," he said.
 
Contact: Max Phillips - 9230 2202  or  0419 444 916