Action looms over 'steep, unexplained' spike in power plant pollution

Environment and health groups have launched legal complaints against the operators of coal-fired power stations in Victoria and NSW after new data revealed huge increases in dangerous particulate pollution from their plants.

Steam pours out of the cooling towers at Yallourn power station. 

In NSW, the Environment Protection Authority has confirmed it will conduct an investigation.

In Victoria, a legal complaint lodged with the state’s Environment Protection Authority calls for an investigation into EnergyAustralia – the owners of the Yallourn power station – over alleged pollutant breaches.

A coalition of Victorian groups, including Environmental Justice Australia and Doctors for the Environment, say Yallourn increased emissions of PM10 coarse-particle pollution by 45 per cent in the most recent reporting year, despite one of its generating units being offline for maintenance during that time.

Read the story from The Age by Miki Perkins - “Action looms over 'steep, unexplained' spike in power plant pollution.”