Greens welcome blocking of forest furnaces – 22 March 2012

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Greens welcome blocking of forest furnaces

Greens MLC Giz Watson welcomed the defeat this week of an eleventh hour bid in the Federal Parliament to burn WA native forest for electricity. 

The recent Commonwealth regulations to prevent native forest being used as fuel for biomass power were challenged in a disallowance motion by NSW independent Rob Oakshott, the Liberals and the Nationals. This motion was defeated this week by the Greens and ALP.

“WA native forests have been saved by the narrowest of margins,” Ms Watson said. 

“I congratulate the efforts of Manjimup’s Biomass Action Group for their role in halting this bid,” she said. 

“I call on the State Minister for Forestry, National’s Terry Redman, to comply with the Commonwealth’s regulations and rule out any more attempts to burn our native forests by rejecting the proposed 40 megawatt biomass power plant at Diamond Mill between Manjimup and Pemberton,” she concluded.

For further comment, contact Giz Watson on 08 9201 0582, Mobile: 0414 837 753

Conservation Council of WA – Media Release

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