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https://reneweconomy.com.au/climate-bomb-australias-biggest-coal-mine-expansion-referred-to-panel-after-non-decision-by-state-planners/>
"The fate of the biggest coal mine expansion project in Australia lies in the
hands of the NSW Independent Planning Commission, after state planners declined
to recommend approval.
Global coal giants Glencore and Yancoal are seeking approval for the massive
expansion of the Hunter Valley open pit coal mining operations near Singleton
in the NSW Hunter Valley and want to extract an extra 429 million tonnes of
thermal coal, resulting in more than 800 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions once
burned.
The mines had been due to close, but were granted an 18-month extension to
December this year while their application was considered.
The developers have refined their plans, reducing the proposed amount of coal
to be mined by more than 200 million tonnes, and will now avoid high gas areas.
These revised plans still attracted 83 opposing submissions – forcing the
project to be automatically referred to the IPC under state rules (any project
with more than 50 opponents) – although 1,097 submissions were filed in
support, many from employees, contractors and local businesses that benefit
from the existing mining operations.
The revised plans include a commitment to use some renewables and electric
equipment to reduce local emissions, but the Climate Council describes the
project extension and expansion as a “climate bomb” that would contribute to
worsening climate disasters.
“It would benefit large fossil fuel mining corporations while putting more
Australians in harm’s way. It’s critical the IPC reject this coal expansion,”
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said in a statement on Monday.
“NSW families and farmers are already facing rising insurance premiums, thanks
to worsening floods and fires, and the average NSW resident is $20,000 a year
worse off due to climate change impacts.
“The world won’t buy coal forever as every country makes the clean switch. NSW
must focus on investing for the future – not past technologies. Clean energy
and storage will diversify our energy sources and set us up for the future.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
