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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 Victorian Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) fines the owner of Yallourn Power Station $7,584 for an incident in February 2015. The VIC EPA alleges an ash pipeline ruptured, and About 8.6 million litres of ash slurry spilled into the Morwell River and subsequently the Latrobe River.
Gladstone Coal Power Station reports releasing 87,400kg of PM2.5 in the year to 30 June 2015.
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.
Kogan Creek Coal Power Station reports releasing 15kg of mercury & compounds in the year to 30 June 2015.
Millmerran Coal Power Station reports releasing 54,662,400kg of sulfur dioxide in the year to 30 June 2015.
The Australian government links repeated or prolonged exposure to moderate concentrations of sulfur dioxide to inflammation of the respiratory tract, wheezing and lung damage.
DAELIM Energy & KDB Infrastructure Asset Management Co Ltd, Millmerran, QLD
Mount Piper Coal Power Station reports releasing 24,000 tonnes of oxides of nitrogen in the year to 30 June 2015.
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.
Stanwell Coal Power Station reports releasing 22kg of arsenic & compounds in the year to 30 June 2015.
Tarong North Coal Power Station reports releasing 4,040,000kg of sulfur dioxide in the year to 30 June 2015.
The Australian government links repeated or prolonged exposure to moderate concentrations of sulfur dioxide to inflammation of the respiratory tract, wheezing and lung damage.
Tarong Coal Power Station reports releasing 11,800 tonnes of oxides of nitrogen in the year to 30 June 2015.
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.
Gladstone Coal Power Station reports releasing 21,500,000kg of sulfur dioxide in the year to 30 June 2015.
The Australian government links repeated or prolonged exposure to moderate concentrations of sulfur dioxide to inflammation of the respiratory tract, wheezing and lung damage.
Kogan Creek Coal Power Station reports releasing 5,830 tonnes of oxides of nitrogen in the year to 30 June 2015.
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.
Do you live near a coal fired power station?
Personal stories from local residents are one of the most powerful ways to demonstrate the impact coal power is having on our environment and our health.
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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.