FUTURE SOONER CALLS FOR ROYAL COMMISSION INTO TOXIC COAL-FIRED POWER STATIONS

The damning final report from community group Future Sooner’s Citizens’ Inquiry into the health impacts of coal-fired power stations calls for the NSW Government to hold a Royal Commission to investigate the failure of environmental and health authorities to protect the wellbeing of their citizens.

This includes failures of the EPA, NSW Health authorities and the owners of coal-fired power stations on Lake Munmorah and Lake Macquarie to protect the health of residents on the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Lower Hunter Region.

“A safe, clean and sustainable environment is a human right that is not enjoyed by residents who live near coal-fired power stations,” said Citizens Inquiry Chair, Associate Professor, Dr Ian Charlton.

“The Citizens’ Inquiry was the first time in over 50 years that residents living close to Eraring, Vales Point and Colongra/Munmorah Power Stations have been given an opportunity to share their health stories.

“Those stories were deeply distressing – residents living near coal-fired power stations have many questions and they deserve answers from the individuals and institutions that are supposed to protect them from harm.

“The transition to renewable energy is urgent and imperative for the health and wellbeing of millions of NSW citizens.”  Dr Charlton said.

The report recommendations were clear:

• No exemptions or extensions to be granted to the operations of the Vales Point or Eraring coal power generators. The health and wellbeing of millions of people depend on it.
• The NSW Government must prioritise public health in all energy policy decision-making, particularly in relation to coal-fired power stations and coal ash dams.
• It must establish a compensation program for residents suffering ill health associated with coal-fired power stations including air and water pollution, PFAS contamination and coal ash dam pollution.
• Pollution standards must be reformed to ensure they are health based and equal to, or even better than, overseas standards.
• The Australian Government must urgently establish the Net Zero Economy Authority and ensure its functions extend to addressing legacy pollution, waste and contamination from coal-fired power stations.
• Operators of coal-fired power stations in NSW must be legally compelled to invest in the latest technology to reduce toxic pollutions and this compulsion and compliance needs to be fully disclosed to the public.
• All coal-fired power stations must close by or before their scheduled closure dates without exception as the only sure way to guarantee the end of pollution in communities living within their wind shadows.

Future Sooner is committed to establishing a Permanent Citizens’ Tribunal into the Health Impacts of Coal-fired Power Stations to monitor and report on the extent to which the NSW Government, Commonwealth Government and power station owners are breaching human rights.

It also believes that there is a substantive need for lawyers to consider legal action against the NSW Government and relevant corporations, for the harm to the health of residents perpetrated by coal-fired power stations.

Future Sooner is a member group of the Community Environment Network.