Southland lignite emissions dwarf thermal power stations*

A proposed coal to diesel plant threatens to completely wipe out any environmental gains made through the new policy of banning coal-fired power stations in New Zealand, according to community environmental group Coal Action Network.

"The enormous coal to diesel plant planned by a state-owned enterprise for Southland is a glaring omission from the government's clean energy strategy", says spokesperson Alex Winter-Billington

Solid Energy yesterday announced the company is continuing to pursue the proposal, which would see 18 million tonnes of lignite - the wettest, most inefficient and polluting coal there is - turned into liquid fuels every year.

"The plant would produce twice as much carbon dioxide each year as the total emitted by coal-fired electricity generation in New Zealand," says Ms Winter-Billington. "The government's clean energy strategy should include the requirement that Solid Energy drop plans for the plant immediately. Because that is what is required for an environmentally, and hence economically, sustainable future."

ENDS

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