Don’t extend Eraring’s life, says climate groups

Six leading climate action groups have united in urging the NSW Government to rule out extending the life of Eraring coal-fired power station on the shores of Lake Macquarie.

Climate Solutions, Parents for Climate Action, BZE, Farmers for Climate Action, Surfer for Climate and Bushfire Survivors say the Government is facing a major test on its commitment to meaningful climate and energy policy as Cabinet considers an extension.

Director of Solutions for Climate Australia, Dr Barry Traill, said the Government will lose credibility if it extends the station’s life.

“The Minns Government should follow on from the work of the previous government in decarbonising NSW’s energy sector and investing in clean, reliable energy infrastructure for the future,” he said.

“Instead, there is a suggestion the Labor Government will take the state backwards by providing billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies to burn coal and with it, all credibility that they are serious about reducing emissions.

“The previous Liberal government stood up to pressure from the owner, Origin Energy, to buy or prop up operations of Eraring Power Station.

“I agree with former Energy Minister Matt Kean and the Opposition’s Shadow Energy and Climate Minister James Griffin that any move to prop up Eraring would dud taxpayers, harm the environment and put our transition to reliable, affordable clean energy behind.”

Beyond Zero Emission’s Hunter Engagement Lead, Sam Mella, said the Government cannot justify keeping Eraring open at taxpayers’ expense.

“Instead of investment in fossil fuels, we urgently need investment in distribution upgrades, energy storage, system security and microgrids to deliver low-cost renewable energy, sovereign supply chains and good quality jobs,” he said.

CEO of Australian Parents for Climate Action Nic Seton said parents across the country were already battling rising energy costs thanks to high coal and gas prices.

“It makes no sense to spend taxpayer money to increase our dependence on coal when clean renewable energy is inherently deflationary,” he said.

“NSW families expect the Government to act in their best interests, not the interests of climate-polluting coal companies.”

Strategy Director for Farmers for Climate Action Kitty Walker said farmers need a stable climate to grow food.

“Using taxpayer money to extend coal fired power makes our climate less stable,” she said.

“We call on the NSW Government to reject any extension of Eraring, and instead focus on ramping up renewables and batteries for farms and households.”

President of Bushfire Survivors for Climate Action, Jo Dodds, said regional residents were increasingly anxious about the coming bushfire season, with experts warning about the danger of the approaching El Niño.

“The State Government should not even consider extending the life of a coal fired power station, costing the taxpayer billions while further endangering regional people,” Dodds said.

Surfers for Climate CEO Josh Kirkman said extending Eraring would be a retrograde step.

“Australians don’t want to be taking a backwards step when it comes to reducing emissions – extending Eraring is going in the wrong direction,” he said.

“We need political leaders who are willing to take on the challenges and grasp the opportunities that a low-carbon future provides.”

Source:
Combined media release