theguardian.com
WA Approves Gas Plant Extension Despite Climate Concerns
Western Australia plans to extend the life of a major greenhouse gas emitting plant despite environmental concerns, abolishing state emission reduction requirements.
English
United Kingdom
PoliticsClimate ChangeEnergy SecurityAustraliaEnvironmentEnergyClimateIndo Pacific
Western Australian Labor GovernmentWoodsideConservation Council Of WaWa Environment Protection AuthorityClimate Safe Solutions
Reece WhitbyJess BeckerlingPiers VerstegenBrad Pettitt
- What are the opposing views on the government's decision?
- Woodside, Australia's largest oil and gas company, welcomed the removal of state emissions regulations, while environmental groups and politicians like Greens MP Brad Pettitt strongly criticized the decision, highlighting WA's lack of a 2030 emissions reduction target and its rising emissions over the past two decades.
- What were the concerns raised in the appeals against the plant's extension?
- More than 750 organizations and individuals lodged appeals against the 50-year extension for the North West Shelf plant, citing concerns about climate change and damage to Indigenous rock art. The WA government's decision to remove state-level emissions regulations effectively bypassed these appeals.
- What is the government's justification for removing state emissions regulations?
- The WA government's rationale for removing state emissions regulations is that emissions from developments within Australia are covered by the federal government's safeguard mechanism. However, critics argue that this change will likely lead to higher emissions overall compared to the stricter state EPA recommendations.
- How does the federal safeguard mechanism compare to the state EPA's recommendations?
- The safeguard mechanism, a federal policy, requires Australia's largest industrial emitters to reduce emissions intensity. While the WA government claims this will achieve similar emission reductions, critics like Piers Verstegen argue that the federal mechanism is less stringent, especially after 2030.
- What is the Western Australian government's plan regarding the North West Shelf gas plant?
- The Western Australian government plans to allow the North West Shelf gas plant to operate until 2070, despite concerns about its significant greenhouse gas emissions. This decision follows the abolition of state emissions-reduction requirements and is met with criticism from environmental groups and climate activists.