"cougar energy fight back "action group, page-14

Im no shakespeare, but how does this look for a first draft letter to the press?
I have tried to avoid slander and any suggestion of corruption or misdemeanor.(?)
I need to add something about the other companies that recorded contamination- was it origin energy? are they using CSG?


please reply with original text in italics and suggested text in regular font.


QLD Government kills off clean coal trial.

The Cougar Energy (ASX:CXY) pilot plant at Kingaroy was shutdown by the Queensland Government Department of Environment and Resource Management without explanation. The technology, known as Underground Coal Gasification, (UCG) converts coal into gas while still underground. This means that there significant reduction in greenhouse gases. The technology has been perfected by trials in The US since the early 1980?s and by Spain since the mid 1990?s.



Image courtesy Cougar Energy http://www.cougarenergy.com.au/pdf/AustCoalReviewPaperOct1999.pdf

The major risk with this technique is underground water (aquifer) contamination which may occur when chemicals used for the gasification escape. Hence the need for rigorous testing of the aquifer surrounding the site. Although ground water in the immediate area is saline and unfit for consumption, contamination with Benzene or Toulene must be monitored.
Several other UCG companies are currently running pilot plants in Queensland. Carbon energy and Linc Energy are required to adhere to the strict monitoring regime.

Benzene and Toulene are toxic chemicals that are byproducts of petrochemicals. Essentially wherever petrochemicals are used or stored, there will be minor traces of contamination. For example ,many farmers paint sump oil onto fence posts to deter white ants. Whilst effective, this leads to significant Benzene and Toulene contamination on these farms. High levels of contamination can also occur in areas where vehicles are refuelled, as the petrol or diesel may be spilled. Benzene is also found in cigarettes and woodsmoke.

The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines sets the following acceptable levels:
? Benzene 0.001 mg/L, which is equivalent to 1 part per billion (ppb)
? Toluene 0.8 mg/L, which is equivalent to 800 ppb
Following a crack in the bore casing, aquifer sampling detected benzene in one bore at a concentration of 2 parts per billion (above drinking water guideline of 1 ppb). Work was ceased and repairs undertaken. No Benzene has been detected
Cougar has invested $20,000,000 on Trial Burn Plant. It closure has seen the share price plummet and many angry investors are calling for an independent review, citing local and state politics as the real factors behind the shutdown. Cougar also has projects in China and Mongolia, both of which have strong government backing. Cougar is now contemplating focussing its efforts in these more favourable regions

If the technology can be given the opportunity to succeed in Queensland, the benefits include local job growth, fewer greenhouse gases and a potential end to Queensland?s energy crisis.