ucg fears still firing

Hi again guys.

As per my committment to keep you informed from the local scene, herewith is an article from todays edition of the South Burnett Times, page 8, Friday 27th August 2010, story by Lucinda Ross.

A visit from the Scientific Expert panel and the State government couldn't quash Kingaroy residents' fears about Cougar Energy's underground coal gasification (UCG) project restarting.

Dr Chris Moran and Dr Chris Cuff from the government appointed panel attended a community meeting on Wednesday night alongside Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Kate Jones and Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) director general John Bradley.

Dr Moran told more than 100 locals most of the expertise in UCG technology was within the mining companies exploring it.

"None of us here are experts in all aspects of UCG," Mr Moran said.

"We've got a lot to learn."

He qas questioned on specific elements of the technology and admitted no one knew exactly how long it took for the burn to be extinguished.

Ms Jones was continually questioned about the suitability of allowing the project to go ahead near a populated town like Kingaroy. She wouldn't directly answer the question.

"I know you might not be happy with my answer," Ms Jones said.

"But I have to say that if Cougar or any other mining company are found to have broken the environmental guidelines we can stop them proceeding.

"If the government finds UCG can not operate safely it will not happen in Queensland."

John Bjelke-Petersen admitted he was worried Cougar Energy wouldn't be able pay to clean up the site if it was abandoned after the review process.

"This is a small company and if they go bankrupt will the government pick up the mess?" he asked.

Ms Jones said legally the company was required to pay the costs of rehabilitation but conceded the government would be forced to foot the bill if the company couldn't afford it.

She was angered the company had failed to supply all of the information requested by the department when they submitted their environmental report last week.

"The government and the people of Kingaroy still do not have the answers we needed and expected from Cougar Energy," she said.

"The company's failure to provide the information requested means that the Environmental Protection Order (EPO) still stands."

ENDS: There is also a photograph & beneath it reads:-

I HEAR YOU: Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Kate Jones confronted more that 80 residents about the future of Cougar Energy's underground coal gasification in the region.

ENDS


Note that in the text of the article the reporter said more than 100 locals; then beneath the photograph she said 80. My guess nearer 100 but this was only about half the attendance of the previous meeting.