The Greens NSW this week launched its plan to “empower coal workers and communities in the transition away from fossil fuels”, including banning the Narrabri Gas Project.
Greens MP and Spokesperson for Treasury and Energy, Abigail Boyd joined Greens candidate for Newcastle John Mackenzie to launch the plan the Greens are taking to the NSW State Election. Making the announcement from Newcastle, the Santos Narrabri Gas Project was specifically named as a target for their proposed ban to all new coal and gas projects. The Narrabri Gas Project has been in development for 10 years and already has many of the necessary approvals. The multi-billion dollar project is expected to be able to supply up to half the state’s gas needs.
“We don’t need to choose between taking urgent climate action and supporting coal communities – we can do both,” Ms Boyd said.
“We must end coal and gas by 2030 if we have any hope of avoiding the worst outcomes from a rapidly changing climate.”
Ms Boyd claimed that only the Greens are “willing to embrace the reality” and commit to working with communities to acknowledge the change and seize the opportunity it presents.
The details of the Green’s plan include:
- Ban new coal and gas projects – including the Santos Narrabri gas project.
- Phase out existing coal and gas projects, along with coal-fired power stations, by 2030.
- Establish a fully-funded, accountable and independent NSW Energy Transition Authority to oversee the transition away from reliance on fossil fuels and to establish region-specific transition authorities to coordinate the diversification of local economies previously reliant on fossil fuels.
- Increase coal export levies in line with Queensland rates, raising an additional $8bn every year in State revenue, and commit at least $500m each year to the work of the NSW Energy Transition Authority and its local region-specific transition authorities.
“There is no doubt that the closure of coal mines and coal-fired power stations will hit the Hunter hard,” Mr Mackenzie acknowledged.
“We must have a plan to ensure that these communities, who have long helped to keep the lights on across our state, are not left behind as we transition to a decarbonised economy,” he said.
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