Flaming waste of clean coal gas

Courier Mail
Monday 8/12/2008 Page: 15

QUEENSLAND coal mines will "flame" millions of dollars in clean, energy producing gas unless a developing niche industry is recognised in Australia's new energy regime, it was claimed yesterday. Capturing waste coal mine gas to use for power generation is already successfully undertaken across NSW and Queensland. But the fledgling industry fears a Federal Government white paper due out on December 15 and finalising emissions targets for 2020 will sideline the process.

David Hamill, chairman of Envirogen, which operates waste coal mine gas operations, said while the Kyoto Protocols recognised the critical role of waste coal mine gas, Canberra was in danger of allowing the industry slip through the policy cracks. "I cannot believe that the Rudd Government would intentionally ignore the fantastic opportunity presented by generation from waste coal mine gas when it is hungry for new sources of green energy, jobs and export dollars," the former Queensland treasurer said.

Mr Hamill said without Government support the industry could wither as coal companies opted to "flame" the valuable gas to meet safety requirements. Climate Change Minister Penny Wong yesterday denied claims the Government had gone soft on its ambitious, long-range target to cut carbon output by 60 per cent by 2050, saying the emissions targets would reflect the Government's commitments.