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Coal industry gets USD 70 million to develop emissions abatement technology


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It is reported that the Federal Government has announced USD 70 million to help coal mines reduce emissions.

Mr Martin Ferguson Federal Resources Minister says coal mining is the economic backbone of many regional areas but must develop new ways of cutting carbon.

To this end, the government has established a program known as the coal mining abatement technology support package.

The Federal Government has already spent a large amount developing carbon capture and storage technologies, but Mr Ferguson says emissions control from coal go further than that.

He said that "Clean coal technologies aren't just about carbon capture and storage, it's also about other clean energy technologies one of which is reducing methane levels especially in underground coal mining."

He added that "Coal mining is central to the local economy of many regional areas, and we need to ensure the industry has a sustainable future. Coal exports account for around 17 per cent of Australia's merchandise trade and the industry employs over 50,000 people.”

He also said "People need to understand that coal mining is a creator of wealth for Australia. Where else do you get the money for child care, health education, improvements in public transport? You've actually got to have wealth creation, which provides the capacity to spend money on public utilities, NGOs etc.”

The first round of funding for the coal mining abatement technology support package is now open.

Source - abc.net.au

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