Once again another story from today's edition of the South...

Once again another story from today's edition of the South Burnett Times - 13th August 2010.


IS MINING GOOD FOR THE SOUTH BURNETT REGION?

When Cougar Energy's pilot plant was shut down last month after carcinogens were detected in ground water supplies, many questioned whether the industry was good for the region.

Farmers within a 2km radius were banned from using their bores until this week when the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) confirmed test results of nearby bores showed the concentration of benzene and toluene were below national standards.

Environment Minister Kate Jones said it was business as usual for farmers but one of the effected landowners Damien O'Sullivan said despite the news, he was still concerned the plant would be authorised to resume operations.

"We're extremely pleased that toxins have been flushed out but I still have serious concerns the project will continue." Mr O'Sullivan said. "If it does start up again the contamination will become worse."

Mr O'Sullivan said the community needed to be able to move on and be confident the plant would stay closed.

"People won't invest or continue their businesses with this hanging over their heads," he said.

David Carter said the UCG contamination scare had put a negative spin on mining in the region.

"We've got to make sure when these mining projects come we're part of the process," Cr Carter said. "We've got to balance the environmental risks with everything else."

A scientific panel will deliver its environmental evaluation of UCG to decide if it has a future mid to late next year.

But coal mining in the South Burnett will continue.

Tarong Energy spokesman Jay Merritt said the company was conscious of its environmental impact.

"We know we burn coal and we need to do more." Mr Merritt said. "At the moment we have a post combustion capture plant in the commissioning phase. "It's testing technology to capture the greenhouse gases we emit."

The company is also conducting an experiment using algae to convert carbon emissions into fuel.

"We take it seriously; we don't sit back" he said. "We're looking for ways to reduce our footprint."

The company has also fitted 30 low nitrogen oxide burners to each of its four units. Although these have halved the power station's nitrogen oxide emissions, Mr Merritt is the first to admit Tarong has a long way to go.

ENDS