chomp down 15.5 and 16c will go, page-2

from the Age today:

'Bacchus Marsh drill site sparks protest

Adam Morton February 07, 2012

THE latest in a series of protests against a mining company searching for coal near Bacchus Marsh has ended with the arrest of a man who chained himself to a drilling rig eight metres above the ground.

Paul Connor, from the activist group Quit Coal, will be charged with interfering with a vehicle after police had to use an angle grinder to cut him down after the four-hour demonstration.

Another activist, pregnant woman Natasha Mills, chained herself to the rig at ground level.

The group of about 20 was protesting over Western Australian company Mantle Mining's investigation of the viability of an open-cut brown coal mine near the town, about 50 kilometres west of Melbourne. Mantle Mining has a coal exploration licence, and is yet to apply for a mining licence. It hopes to use new technology to dry brown coal and export it to be burned in Indian power stations. It says it would lead to lower greenhouse gas emissions than if untreated coal were used.

Opponents say a new coal mine would affect the health of the local community, and that Australia should focus on developing renewable energy. Mr Connor said he was concerned Australia was considering opening a brown coal export industry just as it was looking at shutting some coal power stations. ''Prime agricultural land like Bacchus Marsh needs to be protected from destructive coal and coal seam gas mining. It's just wrong to trash it for a quick buck,'' he said.'

I think the charge of interfering with a vehicle will attract a prison term for a repeat offender like you Paul.

Can we expect another hunger strike when you are inside?