New documents have revealed that the NSW Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe, defied the advice of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and her own Department to keep the coal fired Eraring power station open beyond its planned closure date in 2025.
Greens MP and spokesperson for Climate Change Sue Higginson said "These documents confirm the information we had been provided about the direct intervention by Penny Sharpe to Eraring at the expense of prioritising the pipeline of new renewable projects. This evidence stands in stark contrast to the public posturing that the Minns Labor Government has taken in relation to carbon emissions reduction and Climate Change,"
"It is apparent that the Minister has directly manipulated the independent process that AEMO uses to determine the energy needs in NSW. It has given a false primacy to the importance of coal fired energy in NSW and has come at a cost of $450 million to the state and will make the legislated targets of 50% reduction by 2030 impossible,"
"When the Minister announced the Government's emissions reduction targets last year, the alarm bells rang. They were trying to implement targets that were no better than the former Government and resisted all attempts to strengthen their signature climate laws. This resistance now makes more sense,"
"It is difficult to identify a single concrete step that the Minns Labor Government has taken to mitigate or adapt to the changing climate, despite having an Opposition and Crossbench that is prepared to work with them on stronger climate action,"
"The refusal to end native forest logging, or to make climate ready changes to the planning system, are moving NSW backwards on our climate readiness. This $450 million gift to the coal industry is not the only betrayal by this Government on climate, but it does seem to be the most secretive and it's extremely problematic,"
"We have worked hard to try and help the Government and NSW. From their climate laws to other opportunities to reduce emissions and to prepare the community for the harsh realities of our future. Now we have this proof that the Government seems to be working against their own commitments and the best interests of NSW. To say I'm disappointed is the burning understatement of the century," Ms Higginson said.
