Victorian Power Stations To Be Paid Hundreds Of Millions To Pollute

As 'compensation' for action addressing the problem of burgeoning carbon emissions, 6 Victorian coal fired power stations will receive the lion's share of $1 billion of Federal Government funding.

As ‘compensation’ for action addressing the problem of burgeoning carbon emissions – a problem they helped cause – 6 Victorian coal fired power stations will receive the lion’s share of $1 billion of Federal Government funding to assist the sector in adapting to a carbon tax.
  
In a situation that may be considered by some as akin to paying the vandal who defaces your fence, Hazelwood Power Station will receive approximately $266 million this year. Hazelwood Power Station burns brown coal, a highly emissions intensive form of the fossil fuel. 
   
Hazelwood has the unwelcome distinction of being one of the filthiest coal fired power stations in the world and there has been a drawn-out battle to close the ageing facility. Hazelwood is said to spew around 16 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere each year and this single facility is thought to account for around 3 per cent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas output.
    
According to an ABC report, Yallourn Power Station and Loy Yang A will receive almost the same amount and Loy Yang B will receive around $117 million this year. Alcoa Anglesea and Energy Brix will receive smaller amounts. 
  
Owner of the Hazelwood and Loy Yang B, International Power-GDF SUEZ Australia, says the compensation is needed to “ensure investors do not lose faith in the Australian energy market” and to secure the National Electricity Market.
  
The concept of Victoria’s brown coal reserves remaining where they can do the least harm – in the ground – appears to be rapidly fading. In fact, ripping brown coal from the ground appears to be gearing up, with the Baillieu government reportedly preparing a campaign to promote development of Victoria’s brown coal reserves.
  
The Victorian Government also recently reneged on election commitments of a 20% carbon emission reduction target and capping emissions from new coal fired power stations. 
  
Last week, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) overturned an EPA limit on a proposed new brown coal fired power station to be built in the state. The government-subsidised HRL plant will be the first coal-fired facility to be built in Victoria in decades; and one that has been overwhelmingly opposed by the community.
  
Environment Victoria CEO Kelly O’Shanassy said she was shocked by the decision.
 
“It’s a ridiculous situation when on the one hand you’re introducing a carbon price to cut pollution, and on the other you’re giving away taxpayer money to help build new polluting coal-fired power stations. If the Prime Minister wants to maintain her hard-earned credibility on climate change this coal-fired power station can’t go ahead with her name printed on the receipt.”
 
Environment Victoria says it won’t give up the fight against the construction of the facility.
 
“We’re committed to making sure there are no more coal-fired power stations built in Victoria and we’ll be campaigning to make sure that’s a reality,” said Ms. O’Shanassy.
 
Environment Victoria states the station will increase carbon pollution by millions of tonnes every year and will lock the state into polluting and “out-of-date technology” for decades to come. 
 
“Australia needs to move to genuinely clean, renewable energy quick smart, or we risk getting left behind,” states the group’s “No New Coal Power for Victoria” page.
 

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