south burnett times news item

Hi guys

The following article appearded in the South Burnett Times Thursday 21st April 2011, page 5.


COUGAR TOLD TO CLEAN UP OR FACE THE PROSPECT OF COURT ACTION

Cougar Energy will be required to pay for the clean up of the Coolabunia underground coal gasification (UCG) site and submit progress reports along the way to the State Government.

A Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) spokesman said all UCG companies must submit a Pilot Project Report to demonstrate how their operations will be decommissioned and rehabilitated.

"DERM will assess all this information and also conduct on-site inspections to determine if the site has been adequately decommissioned and rehabilitated or if any further action is required," the spokesman said.

"The government would not consider approving any final rehabilation reports unless we could see that the site had been stabilised and rehabilated as required.

"If Cougar Energy refused to rehabilitate its site, the government could use enforcement tools such as a restraint order obtained from the court to make them comply.

"Breaching a restraint order could lead to a fine of up to $1,500,000, whilst individulas, such as directors of companies, face imprisonment.

"In addition, to these legal avenues, the Queensland Government also holds a financial assurance of approximately $600,000 for the Cougar Energy site near Kingaroy, which can be accessed if the company failed to meet their obligations and rehabilitate the site."