South Australias peak environment body the Conservation Council of SA (CCSA) today poured cold water on Santos' plans to pump and dump carbon dioxide (CO2) underground using an unproven process known as geosequestration. CCSA criticised Santos' plans to bury CO2 and cited a range of environmental, technological, social and economic reasons as the basis for condemning the idea.
This proposal is the equivalent of just sweeping carbon emissions under the geological carpet said CCSA CEO Ms Julie Pettett. Long-term safety, feasibility and cost are the biggest concerns said Ms Pettett. Some of the other unresolved issues include the suitability of the area selected - and the distance from the location where the CO2 is generated. Even if the technology was proven to work, we would need at least 10-15 years before we can make any reduction in greenhouse gases (GHGs) whatsoever. Given that these storages need to last forever (and thats a long time!), without any leaks, raises the issue of liability down the track, as well as the serious issue of inter-generational equity she said.
Leaving our mess for future generations to deal with is neither an ethical, nor responsible response to the problems that weve created through our polluting economy and lifestyles Ms Pettett stated.
Its understandable that Santos would be happy to get a $275 million public subsidy to help it clean up its own mess, but thats no reason for the community to be seduced by the promises of so-called solutions such as geosequestration to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change Ms Pettett added.
Any such subsidy would be a clear diversion of public resources and just maintains a societal investment in a fossil-fuel paradigm, at a cost to taxpayers of hundreds of millions of dollars.
Instead, this money could, and should, be invested today in proven, here-and-now technologies that will reduce demand for energy, improve energy efficiencies and generate energy renewably with no greenhouse gas emissions Ms Pettett explained.
ENDS:
For further comment call CCSA CEO Ms Julie Pettett 0417 879 439
or CCSA Campaigner Mr Jamnes Danenberg 0411 028 930
