<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/coal-mine-expansions-given-green-light-in-new-policy-at-odds-with-state-climate-goals/>
"Coal mine expansions are on the cards for at least another 25 years under a
state’s new mining road map at odds with its environment commission.
The NSW government announced its coal industry outlook for 2026-2050 on
Thursday, saying it will no longer consider new coal mines but applications to
extend existing mines will be assessed.
NSW produces the second most amount of coal of any state behind Queensland,
according to Geosciences Australia.
Emissions requirements will be a condition of any project expansions, the
government says, but its own Net Zero Commission says any move to expand coal
production is at odds with environmental goals.
In December, the commission found any increase in coal mining activity would
leave the state at odds with the
Climate Change Act and the
Paris
Agreement.
The position sets firm expectations on producers and the communities that rely
on coal mining, Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said.
Regional communities who rely on mining for employment and trading partners who
want commitments met can all gain confidence from the plan, the government
says.
However, Greens MPs and environmental groups say it fails the climate test.
“This policy still allows coal production to grow, and that’s completely
incompatible with a safe climate,” Greens coal spokeswoman Cate Faehrmann said.
The government has failed to impose any environmental restrictions on the nine
expansions approved since the government took office in 2023, the Lock the Gate
Alliance said.
“The NSW government is using semantics to mask the truth that coal project
approvals will continue as business as usual,” head of research Georgina Woods
said.
Only three of NSW’s 37 operating coal mines have enforceable emissions limits,
the Net Zero Commission found."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
