Call to close Eraring power station in 2025 over health concerns

Central Coast community group Future Sooner has accused the Minns State Government of going from “hero to villain” following its announcement it will consider extending the life of the Eraring coal-fired powered station beyond 2025.

Eraring owner Origin Energy had said it would close the plant in 2025, but a review late last year recommended the government work with the provider to keep the plant open to ensure power supply.

Future Sooner spokesperson Gary Blaschke said when NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey was in Opposition as the former Shadow Minister for Finance and Small Business, he was chairman of a NSW Government inquiry into coal ash dams.

The committee recommended the Government conduct an urgent inquiry into the health of residents living near the state’s “dirty, old coal-fired power stations and ash dams”.

“The inquiry committee was unanimous in its conclusions,” Blaschke said.

“The most damning statement from the committee was that the government demonstrated a complete disregard towards the health of its citizens.

“As Chair, Mr Mookhey signed off on that statement.

“That was when he was in Opposition; now as Treasurer, he is reportedly negotiating with Origin to extend the life of the Eraring power station beyond its 2025 closure date.

“Residents who live near toxic coal ash dams and who every day breathe in dirty coal-fired power station air have been shocked at the complete backflip by Treasurer Mookhey and his preparedness to sacrifice their health to these filthy, last century polluters.

“Future Sooner has presented damning evidence to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), NSW Health, Local and Federal Government MPs and the United Nations (UN) about above-average cases of asthma and other respiratory diseases plus the abnormal number of cancers in communities living close to power stations like Eraring and Vales Point.

“Our evidence has never been disputed.

“After hearing all the expert and lived experience, it beggars belief that Treasurer Mookhey is even contemplating negotiating to extend Eraring.

“It appears that once you gain government your modus operandi is to completely disregard the health of your citizens.

“We call on Treasurer Mookhey and the Minns government to prove they’re heroes not villains.

“Close Eraring and Vales Point by their due dates and fulfill the recommendations of the Coal Ash Inquiry.

“Immediately impose tighter emission controls for these last century dirty polluters in line with the tougher European and American standards.”