Santos spin off of Narrabri CSG project should prompt cancellation

MEDIA RELEASE - 8 December 2016

Santos’ announcement today that they would concentrate on core conventional gas assets  and that the Narrabri coal seam gas project would be “packed and run separately for value as a standalone business” shows that the controversial project has no future and that the government should step in and cancel the licence to provide certainty to the community and protect the land and water.

NSW Greens energy and resources spokesperson Jeremy Buckingham said:

“It’s clear that Santos has little interest in developing the Narrabri coal seam gas project and are likely to try to sell it off.  It’s time for the government to end the uncertainty and put this project out of its misery by cancelling the licence.

“It’s now been almost three years since the Narrabri project was given “Strategic Energy Project” status to fast track it through the planning system.  There is still no Environmental Impact Statement lodged and now the company has said they intend to spin it off and concentrate on other conventional assets.

“We’ve seen farmers and others protest and be arrested trying to protect the land and water, and particularly the Great Artesian Basin.  How long must the community remain vigilant and suffer uncertainty?

“The world is quickly moving to renewable energy.  Developing new fossil fuels, particularly when they pose risks through fracking and the extraction of vast amounts of saline water, is negligent behaviour.

“Victoria has banned fracking and the South Australian Liberal Party has called for a ten year moratorium on fracking.  The NSW Government should show leadership on renewable energy and climate change by banning unconventional gas and boosting renewable energy investment.”

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