Issue 111 February 28, 2017
Your independent community newspaper - Ph: 4325 7369
Environmental Justice Australia calls on EPA to act on serious air pollution at Vales Point C
o m m u n i t y groups have initiated an EPA investigation into air pollution from the Vales Point power station at Mannering Point.
It has been alleged that coal trucks dumping thousands of tonnes of coal outdoors at the power station have created clouds of dangerous coal dust, just hundreds of metres from residential Mannering Point. “We reported the pollution event immediately and looked forward to a prompt investigation by the NSW EPA to stop and remedy this serious air pollution problem,” said Dr James Whelan, researcher with Environmental Justice Australia. According to Dr Whelan, particle pollution from coal dust causes serious health impacts including respiratory and cardiovascular illness, asthma and hospital admissions. Under their pollution licence, the Vales Point power station operators must carry out all their operations and activities in a manner that will minimise the emission of dust.
Tip trucks (right) depositing coal on one of the outdoor mounds at Vales Point power station pollution,” the power station. dumped by very large, When community minimise members investigated, said local resident Mr The Vales Point power and often uncovered, coal trucks were Mike Campbell, who station was sold by the dump trucks at Vales uncovered and no water witnessed the pollution. NSW Government in Point. was sprayed to control “It’s shocking to 2015 to two investors in “There are mountains dust. see Delta Electricity a $1 million deal. of coal as high as threethousands The Vales Point dumping It is expected to close storey buildings within a very short distance power station reported of tonnes of coal by 2022. emitting 34 million outdoors in hot windy Dr Whelan said the to the residential areas exposing EPA had responded of Mannering Point and kilograms of 30 conditions, substances in the 2014- our community to toxic to the Environmental Blue Haven,” Dr Whelan 15 National Pollutant pollution,” Mr Campbell Justice Australia said. Inventory, including said. “We were stunned by pollution report by 66,000kg of coarse The pollution was stating Vales Point was what we saw at Vales particle pollution. reported to the Chief using water trucks to Point. of NSW, control the dust but, Elsewhere in NSW, Regulator “It looks like they coal is transported into Mr Mark Gifford, and he said, on two out of have the same sort of power station furnaces Regional EPA Director, the three occasions he conveyor system as by conveyor belts that Mr Adam Gilligan, on visited the site, no water other power stations, the evening of Thursday, was being sprayed to but it is not being used. are entirely enclosed. contain the dust. “We expect a February 16. “The EPA said the The closest EPA air major polluter like “Tens of thousands of conveyors will be in use Delta Electricity to pollution monitoring is tonnes of coal are being by April, but that is still do all they can to more than 25km from
two months away, so we believe operations should be closed down until that conveyor is operational,” he said. Dr Whelan said it was his contention that Delta was not investing in the power station because it was due to be closed in 2022. “It is being run like you would run a second hand car: get another year out of it without spending any money or take it to the wreckers. “That is not what best practice looks like; it is not being a good neighbour,” he said. Delta Electricity has been asked to respond to Environmental Justice Australia’s claims about Vales Point. Dr Whelan said the latest report to the EPA was part of a 39-year history of campaigning by local politicians and community groups to get air pollution monitoring in place for communities living close to power stations like Vales Point. Media release, Feb 17, 2017 James Whelan, Environmental Justice Australia Interview, Feb 27, 2017 Mike Campbell, Community Environment Network Interview, Feb 27, 2017 James Whelan, Environmental Justice
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