Mining Industry Calls On Government To Detail Support For Carbon Capture Technology

16 July 2008 24/08




MINING INDUSTRY CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO DETAIL SUPPORT FOR CARBON
CAPTURE TECHNOLOGY


The NSW mining industry has welcomed today's release of the Federal Government's new
Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme but has called on the Government to release details of
its funding commitment to fast track carbon capture and storage technology.

NSW Minerals Council CEO Dr Nikki Williams said the new federal initiative is welcomed by
the industry, which is fully committed to working with the government and the community to
address the serious challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"We need to address this great challenge in a way that does not devastate our economy but
still makes a significant contribution to reducing global warming," said Dr Williams.

"One of the best contributions Australia can make is to ramp up its development and
deployment of carbon capture and storage technology. The coal industry has invested in a
$1 billion dollar voluntary fund to fast track this vital technology and this in turn has secured a
further $2.5 billion in investment from other private and international funding sources.

"The Government's Green Paper clearly states that, as a major coal exporter, Australia
needs to support the development of CCS technology, yet the Government's current funding
commitment falls far short of what both Australian and international experts say is required.

"We need a strong Federal Government commitment to new generation coal technology
which we can also export to developing coal economies such as China and India."

Dr Williams said the State's economy is built on a strong coal industry which provides
competitively priced domestic power for over 90% of NSW's energy needs as well as a $6
billion export industry which provides revenue for essential government services such as
roads and hospitals.

"The mining industry will work with the Government to ensure that mining regions are not
unfairly disadvantaged when the new scheme is implemented."



CONTACT: Lancia Jordana (02) 9274 1402 or 0412 283 252

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