Banks, energy companies and the overwhelming majority of Australians think it’s time to move away from coal and start investing in renewable energy. But the Turnbull Government will try just about anything to keep their coal burning dreams alive - including coming up with the completely misleading proposal of ‘clean coal’.
Here’s why Turnbull’s idea of ‘clean coal’ is ridiculous:
Emissions: these modern, ‘clean’ coal plants will at best produce 10-to-25 per cent less than the highly-polluting current coal plants. A ‘clean energy technology’ requires a minimum decrease in emissions of 50% .
Investment: key energy companies and banks have stated that they will not build or finance new conventional coal-fired power stations in Australia. So Turnbull's looking to the government to shoulder the
Electricity prices: ‘clean coal" plants are more expensive than gas, wind and solar and would lead to higher electricity price rises.
Cost: replacing Australia’s coal plants with new ultra-supercritical technology would cost the government (and taxpayers) up to $62 billion.
Instead of looking to the future and moving with the rest of the world in developing a safe, long-term transition to renewables, Turnbull is keeping Australia’s energy industry locked up in dirty and dangerous coal.
Tell Turnbull: it’s time to move towards a clean, safe energy future for Australia.
More information
Financial Review. 1 February 2017.
The New Daily. 2 February 2017.
The Guardian. 2 February 2017.
