Coal seam gas: an environmental disaster

We don't need coal seam gas, there are viable environmentally sound alternatives, such as those in the images below. Broken Hill Solar Farm, NSW   Hornsdale Wind Farm, Jamestown, SA   Sundrop Farm solar thermal power station, Port Augusta, SA Obsolete and shut-down coal-fired power station in background From ground level   Sundrop Farm solar thermal power station, Port Augusta, SA View looking north from my drone The Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development (IESC) was set up as a statutory committee in 2012 by the Australian Government. They produced a report on the proposed Narrabri coal seam gas project which was released in August 2017. It seems to me that this project is very likely to have unacceptable long-term environmental consequences. To me the main concern would be that the proponents would bring many tonnes of salt to the surface which would then have to be disposed of. They estimate that salt extraction will peak at 115 tonnes per day from years two to four of the project. Quoting from the IESC report: "Key potential risks of the project include: salt and chemical management and disposal; groundwater depressurisation and drawdown in aquifers within the project area and surrounds that may impact groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) and other groundwater users; and changes to surface water flow and quality as a result of discharges to Bohena Creek. Potential areas at risk from these impacts include: landowner bores in the northern portion of the project area, outside the Pilliga State Forest, overlying areas of gas extraction from the Hoskissons Seam; Hardys and Eather Springs; Bohena Creek downstream of the discharge location; and areas of co-produced brine, salt and waste are stored (SIC). The proponent has identified potential landfill facilities for disposal in the region but notes that most have limited capacity for additional waste." Bringing 115 tonnes of salt each day for years up from a coal seam, where it is stable and doing no harm, and dumping it at or near the surface is madness. I worked for 30 years in the hydrogeology (underground water) field. I am very familiar with the problems of salinity and groundwater. If this project goes ahead it will ultimately be an environmental disaster; maybe not in five or ten years, but certainly in the longer term. Jeremy Buckingham, NSW Greens MP produced a media release on 2017/08/29 calling on the NSW Premier to cancel the Narrabri coal seam gas project. There are renewable energy alternatives to fossil fuels that come with very little environmental risk, such as solar photo-voltaic, solar thermal and wind farms, as pictured on the right. Why risk the future of good quality farmland when we don't have to? See Narrabri in Wikipedia. Anti-coal seam gas organisation, Lock The Gate, has a net page on the Narribri CSG proposal. Home Top

Related pages On this site Climate change Climate change disasters and the Australian government's actions Coal seam gasification, or in-situ coal gasification End of coal How should Australia generate its electricity? Glossary of technical terms relating to wind power Greatest crime in history Impressive renewable energy developments in Australia Killer coal Major threatened disasters compared Mid-North South Australia, leading the nation in renewable energy Northern SA's renewables Pumped hydro power South Australia's success with renewable power Turnbull Australian Government Wind power in Australia On the Internet A glossary of the energy debate; The Conversation. Renew Economy; AGL ridicules Coalition request to keep Liddell [coal-fired power station] open extra 5 years. The Conversation; Why coal-fired power stations need to shut on health grounds. More coal doesn't equal more peak power, Alan Pears, The Conversation, 2017/09/13. The big three Australian power generators see no future in coal AGL's statement on the Liddell closure. Energy Australia boss says there are much better options than keeping the old Liddell coal-fired power station running for a few more years. Origin Energy boss regects coal

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