Friends of the Earth has joined with other environmental organisations in condemning the announcement by Alcoa that it had reached an agreement to source its electricity from Loy Yang Power’s brown coal station for the next 26 years.
Media release. Tuesday March 2, 2010
Friends of the Earth (FoE) has joined with other environmental organisations in  condemning the announcement by Alcoa that it had reached an agreement to source its electricity from Loy Yang Power’s brown coal station for the next 26 years.
“As the largest single consumer of brown-coal-fired electricity in the state, Alcoa knows that it is at extreme risk of losing its social license to operate unless it acts now to dramatically reduce it's greenhouse emissions†said FoE campaigns co-ordinator Cam Walker. “It has known of the imperative to shift from carbon intensive energy sources for years and, with the lease to its Anglesea operation coming up soon, had a huge opportunity to show leadership and drive innovation in renewable technology – and the creation of many new jobs - on the Surf Coast and elsewhere in Central and Western Victoriaâ€.
“Instead, it has turned its back on the energy sources of the 21st century, opting for the dirty energy path of the 19th century. It will be judged harshly by the community for this failure of vision.â€
“Given Alcoa's reckless disregard for the reality of climate change, it is now up to the state government to step in and guarantee that there will be no further compensation or subsidies for Alcoa or Loy Yang as a result of this deal.â€
“The state government must also now seize the opportunity created by this announcement to announce a rapid decommissioning of the Hazelwood plant, which has previously supplied power to Alcoa.â€
For further information or comment:Â
Cam Walker
0419 338 047, 03 9419 8700