Vales Point Power Station emission exemption application open for public comment
The public is being invited to comment on an application from Delta Electricity requesting a further exemption to the set emission limit for nitrogen oxide, at their Vales Point Power Station.
The application submitted to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) seeks another exemption under the Protection of the Environment Operations (Clean Air) Regulation 2021 for five years from 1 January 2022.
The Vales Point Power Station is a coal-fired power station located on the southern shore of Lake Macquarie. It supplies electricity to the National Electricity Market, which includes all states and territories except Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
EPA Executive Director Regulatory Operations Steve Beaman said the EPA is carefully considering and assessing the application in accordance with statutory obligations and it is also interested in community feedback on the proposal.
“While it is not a requirement under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 to consult publicly about this application, we are opening this up to comment because we are keen to hear what the community has to say, as part of our considerations,” Mr Beaman said.
“Specifically, we’d like to hear the community’s views on the application and if they have specific comments.
“The EPA is conducting a comprehensive review of the application, which seeks to extend an existing exemption for a further five years.
“As part of that, we’ve requested more information from Delta Electricity, including an air quality impact assessment which is now available as part of the public consultation.
“We’re also consulting with experts including from NSW Health and the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.
“All of this information, as well as the submissions received in this consultation process, will be considered by the EPA before a final decision is made.”
The EPA has a comprehensive and robust framework for regulating power stations in NSW including legally enforceable conditions relating to noise, air, water, land contamination, waste and other operational matters designed to protect the community and the environment.
Power station licences and pollution monitoring results provided by licensed industry operators are available on the EPA’s Public Register.
More information about the Delta Electricity Vales Point emission exemption application can be found here https://yoursay.epa.nsw.gov.au/. Submissions close on 10 November 2021.