Victorian Labor sells out climate with coal power station expansion
Victorian Labor sells out climate with coal power station expansion
Victorian Greens energy spokesperson Ellen Sandell and Australian Greens climate and energy spokesperson Adam Bandt have condemned a decision by the Environmental Protection Agency to allow the expansion of a major brown coal power station, and said the Victorian Labor government is selling out the climate.
Giant French company Engie has received approval to upgrade the Loy Yang B coal fired power station which will increase the capacity of the station by 8.6% and burn 400,000 tonnes more brown coal per year.
“Victorian Labor is selling out Victorians and selling out the climate by expanding the dirty brown coal industry,” Ellen Sandell said.
“This is completely the wrong direction for Victoria. We should be phasing coal power out, not expanding it.”
“The national energy market is in transition to clean energy. By allowing this expansion, Labor will prolong the death throes of coal”, Mr Bandt said.
“This is further evidence of why we need a national plan for the retirement of coal fired power stations and a just transition for coal communities.”