Iemma's choice: say 'no' to new coal-fired power station or ignore IPCC

Dr Kaye said: "A new coal-fired power station would not only increase greenhouse gas emissions by more than 10 million tonnes each year but it would destroy moves to improve energy efficiency.

"The NSW government cannot take the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report seriously and at the same time drive up emissions by more than 6%.

"The report demands action on reducing wasted energy. More cheap coal capacity means that improving energy efficiency will fail the bottom-line test for households and industry.

"The pressure on generators and retailers to sell the electricity from any new coal units will devastate energy efficiency programs.

"The Iemma government has been sitting on plans for more coal burning capacity for more than a year.

"The release of the last of the IPCC report is the perfect opportunity for the new Climate Change Minister Phil Koperberg  to come out and renounce new coal and commit this state to building a strong economy based on renewables and energy efficiency.

"It's time to remove the uncertainty faced by the clean energy industries and give them their time in the sun.

"The best way for Premier Iemma  to protect jobs is to announce this weekend that there will be no new coal fired power stations in NSW. With firm mandatory renewable energy targets and a commitment to energy efficiency, this state can go into a clean energy boom," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455