AUSTRALIA IS ON the naughty list, with the NSW government today approving the unnecessary and dangerous Kurri Kurri gas-fired power station just five days before Christmas.
"A lump of coal is known as a dud gift, but this year the government has forced an entire gas-fired power station into every Australian's Christmas stocking, and on top of that, it's making us pay for it," said Climate Council Senior Researcher Tim Baxter.
The Morrison government will spend up to $600 million of public money on the Kurri Kurri power station even though it makes no commercial sense. This spring, gas power stations produced just 1.3 percent of New South Wales's power; its lowest level this century.
"Approving Kurri Kurri is an all round dismal move for Australians at a time when the rest of the world is reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cashing in on the clean job and economic opportunities of a net zero future," he said.
Climate Councillor, energy expert and Senior Lecturer at Macquarie University, School of Law, Dr Madeline Taylor: "The Kurri Kurri gas power station simply isn't needed. Energy analysts and economists agree it will raise electricity prices for residents and businesses, not lower them."
"As renewable energy and storage technologies become cheaper by the day, this short-sighted investment in a new gas-fired power station, built with taxpayer money, makes no sense from an energy or economic perspective, and will likely end up as a stranded asset," said Dr Taylor.
