NSW Premier Pimps Coal-Fired Plant On Eve Of International Climate Confab

[hatrack]

"The Premier yesterday defended the possible construction of a new coal-fired power station in NSW before hosting a meeting of international experts to discuss ways to cut global greenhouse gas emissions.

Environment groups gathered outside NSW Government House where Bob Carr addressed the International Climate Change Taskforce. They protested against the state's reliance on coal as a power source and the expansion of the coal industry in NSW. The Greens MP Ian Cohen said Mr Carr was being hypocritical by hosting the conference. "The Premier is deceiving the people of NSW about his Government's green credentials," he said. "He will only become part of the problem on climate change, not the cure, unless he takes action to reduce the state's dependence on coal mining and coal-fired power."

The taskforce, of which Mr Carr is a member, is meeting for two days in Sydney to finalise recommendations to governments about how they can deal with global warming beyond the Kyoto protocol, which ends in 2012.

EDIT

Mr Carr made public a CSIRO report into climate change yesterday that showed NSW could expect soaring temperatures and a 70 per cent increase in the number of droughts by 2030."

EDIT

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Carr-fired-up-over-coal-power-critics/2004/11/15/1100384498913.html?oneclick=true