The Iemma Government must rule out compensating electricity generators from penalties they could face from generating greenhouse pollution, Cate Faehrmann, executive director of the Nature Conservation Council said today.
“All proponents of greenhouse polluting power generation should bear the financial risks in the context of climate change. The Iemma Government seems comfortable with the people of NSW bearing this risk,” Ms Faehrmann said.
“Burning fossil fuels is one of the main causes of climate change. No public money should be spent on propping up outdated and heavily polluting industries in this era of climate change.
“Public subsidies should not be used to prop up greenhouse polluting industries that have no place in a future where tacking climate change has to be our number one priority.
“The Iemma Government must protect the public interest over private profits by refusing to indemnify companies that choose to build fossil fuel powered base load power.
“While the Federal Government seeks to regulate emissions reductions, their NSW counterparts are actively undermining these efforts by considering protecting companies from potential future penalties with public funds,” Ms Faehrmann said.
