Update on Coal Action Network statement on Solid Energy - in response to Solid Energy statement today
20 June 2013 - OIA confirms lignite technology dodgy
According to information in an OIA about health and safety issues at the Mataura plant - recently received by CANA - the
Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment also has expressed concerns about the safety of the technology. In
handwritten notes an MBIE staffer noted the closure of GTL's North Dakota plant:
"At plant in USA was an overpressure event - was when plant stopped. Dust spontaneously combusted."
Another staffer had also written a report of their visit to the plant:
"I said I had a concern expressed to MBIE that plant has potential to explode."
CANA has heard that two managers have already walked away from the plant citing safety concerns.
"Solid Energy has no money to pay for the at least $1.6 million required to get the lignite plant in Southland going and
is right to walk away," said Rosemary Penwarden from Coal Action Network Aotearoa. "But GTLE should also walk away.
"We don't need our precious Southland farmland dug up to prop up experimental and unsafe technology that uses dirty
lignite coal and contributes to climate change. Moreover, GTL wants to use this Southland plant so it can set up a
similar plant in Indonesia. Why should we be the guinea pigs?"
ENDS