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The Coal Impacts Index is the most comprehensive list of breaches, breakdowns, and pollution events at Australia’s coal fired power stations ever assembled.
The Index uses a variety of data sources to track four main kinds of ‘incidents’ at the 16 coal power stations in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria, that make up Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM).
Licence Breaches
Breakdowns
Toxic Air Pollution
Emissions
The NSW Environment Protection Authority alleges Liddell Coal Power Station did not comply with a licence condition, in reference to flooding discovered at Central Hunter Swamp Oak Forest, an endangered ecological community.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority alleges Liddell Coal Power Station did not comply with a licence condition, in reference to concentration limit exceedance of sulphur dioxide not being reported within 30 days as required.
The Victorian Environment Protection Authority alleges Loy Yang A did not comply with 2 licence conditions, in reference to creating water turbidity of 89 NTU, exceeding the licence limit 80 NTU.
AGL, Loy Yang A, VIC
The Victorian Environment Protection Authority alleges Loy Yang A did not comply with 2 licence conditions, in reference to releasing water with suspended solids of 110 mg/L exceeding the licence limits of 60mg/L.
AGL, Loy Yang A, VIC
The Victorian Environment Protection Authority alleges Loy Yang A did not comply with 2 licence conditions, in reference to releasing water with suspended solids of 69mg/L, exceeding the licence limit of 60mg/L.
AGL, Loy Yang A, VIC
Stanwell Corporation’s annual report for 2016 reports that the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection issued Stanwell with a Penalty Infringement Notice and fine of $11,385 in December 2015.
Eraring Coal Power Station reports releasing 175,530kg of PM2.5 in the year to 30 June 2016.
PM2.5 is extremely small particulate matter, which can be inhaled deep into the lungs and may cause serious health effects. The Australian government says it has been linked to increased respiratory symptoms and premature death.
Gladstone Coal Power Station reports releasing 72kg of mercury & compounds in the year to 30 June 2016.
Loy Yang B Coal Power Station reports releasing 23,791,560kg of sulfur dioxide in the year to 30 June 2016.
The Australian government links repeated or prolonged exposure to moderate concentrations of sulfur dioxide to inflammation of the respiratory tract, wheezing and lung damage.
Millmerran Coal Power Station reports releasing 9,489 tonnes of oxides of nitrogen in the year to 30 June 2016.
The Australian government says people who live near coal burning power plants may be exposed to higher levels of nitrogen oxides. Even low levels of exposure can impact an individual’s eyes, nose, throat and lungs.
DAELIM Energy & KDB Infrastructure Asset Management Co Ltd, Millmerran, QLD
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The data in the Coal Impacts Index is collated from a number of sources, including government reports and tracking, corporate databases, research reports and self-reported data from power stations. For more information about the individual sources for each of the incidents listed in the index please see the Sources page.