Antinuclear

We need a Coal Commissioner on health effects of coal mining

The health consequences of the fossil fuel industry have been ignored for many years. On any comparison, it is unfair to focus exclusively on the health implications of wind turbines and, at the same time, ignore the health implications of other forms of energy production……..

Compared to the recommendations by the senate committee on wind turbines, the recommendations from the Hazelwood Coal Fire Inquiry were relatively tame.

Wind commissioner? Let’s have a coal commissioner too, The Conversation, Samantha Hepburn, 19 June 15  Wind turbines have got Canberra in a spin this week, with hearings underway from the senate inquiry into wind turbines and their possible health impacts. The committee yesterday released an interim report from chair John Madigan with seven recommendations to increase regulation around the wind industry.

A dissenting report from Labor senator Anne Urquhart questioned the political timing of the report.

Meanwhile, a leaked email from environment minister Greg Hunt has offered crossbench senators a “wind farm commissioner” in return for support for the passage of renewable energy legislation.

But behind the politics, how do the report’s recommendations stack up?

The recommendations

The interim report’s recommendations include:

• a scientific committee to look into industrial sound
• the drafting of national infrasound and noise measures
• the development of National Wind Farm Guidelines for planning
• making wind’s accreditation under the Renewable Energy Target (RET) dependent on adherance to guidelines and measures (old projects would have five years to comply)
• a national ombudsman to handle complaints
• a levy on wind farms to fund the scientific committee and ombudsman
• data to be made freely and publicly available.

If implemented, these rigorous and extensive recommendations will create wide-ranging monitoring, compliance and review obligations. They are likely to produce a strong national health review framework for the sector. They will, however, also alter the operational dynamics of the industry. This has the potential to affect market progression……….

The health consequences of the fossil fuel industry have been ignored for many years. On any comparison, it is unfair to focus exclusively on the health implications of wind turbines and, at the same time, ignore the health implications of other forms of energy production……..

Compared to the recommendations by the senate committee on wind turbines, the recommendations from the Hazelwood Coal Fire Inquiry were relatively tame. The Victorian government made A$25.4 million available to fund a range of initiatives that include:

• a long-term health study in the Latrobe Valley
• new air quality equipment to be used by the Environmental Protection Agency, which can be deployed across the state
• a boost to the mine regulator’s capacity to assess and monitor mine planning for fire prevention, mitigation and suppression
• development of the state smoke framework.

There was no recommendation to appoint a coal ombudsman or to create an Independent Expert Scientific Review of the Health Impacts of the Coal Industry which would be funded by the imposition of a coal levy………https://theconversation.com/wind-commissioner-lets-have-a-coal-commissioner-too-43538

June 21, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, wind