News today that the New South Wales Minns government is looking to extend the Eraring coal-fired power station for up to four years is shocking, and will be a disaster for the climate and the state’s economy.
“This could lead to NSW taxpayers and families forking out an additional $150 million dollars a year,” acting CEO of the Smart Energy Council Wayne Smith said.
“At a time when people are already deeply worried about cost of living pressures, this will greatly increase power bills, and spew massive amounts of pollution into our atmosphere.”
“Chris Minns is starting to look a lot like Scott Morrison when it comes to Coalkeeper – taxpayer funds to extend the life of polluting coal-fired power stations.”
“Eraring was privatised only ten years ago, and now taxpayers are being asked to pay hundreds of millions of dollars to the private owner to keep it open; it’s a farcical comedy without humour.”
“There is no way Australia can meet its renewable and climate targets if we keep propping up coal-fired power stations, particularly the nation’s biggest.”
The state government is ignoring known alternatives to propping up an old clunker of a coal fired power generator, and will do so not only at its own peril, but also that of NSW taxpayers and the planet.
“Hopefully these media reports are wrong, but we’ll do whatever we can to make sure this doesn’t become a reality”
