Clean Coal: Community says to find other options in the region

In a poll run on the the Mudgee Guardian website, it was asked if a clean coal electricity station in the Mid-Western region was a a positive plan.

Although 2.33% of respondents believed that more information was needed before they could properly answer the question, most respondents said that it was not a positive plan.

Of the 515 responses on the poll, 404 (78.45%) answered ‘No, there are other options’.

“Clean coal doesn’t exist. Renewable energy is our answer. Wind farms and solar farms are the way to go,” Gram Joanie said on the Mudgee Guardian’s Facebook post.

Deputy Mayor Paul Cavalier also commented on the issue on the Guardian’s Facebook post.

“There are two points here, and those are that "clean coal" is an oxymoron, and that Council has no real place in or the means to establish a coal powered electricity station here,” he said.

“We've established time and time again that climate change is real, and is supported by a significant number of scientist and experts all over the globe.

“The rising price of electricity is ridiculous, and it will have huge, detrimental impacts on local families and businesses, but thinking that [council] can improve electricity prices for people all around Australia is preposterous.”

There were some in favour of the move however, with 99 (19.22%) people answering ‘yes’ in the poll.

The next step is the State Government’s undertaking of the study, and to report their findings on the issue to the council.