Mining companies are exploring the Lorne Valley and surrounding areas for coal seam gas. They are in a frenzy to mine before the “activists can stir up trouble”.
Meanwhile, scientists in Britain have called for their government to impose an immediate moratorium on coal gas development to allow the wider environmental concerns to be fully exposed and addressed.
In France, where at least 10 companies are vying to drill for coal gas beneath the rich farmland of the Paris Basin, the government has delayed test drilling until it has determined the environmental impact.
In Australia, many of us are campaigning to urge our governments to stop issuing exploration licences to Mining Companies for Coal Seam Gas exploration.
Objection to coal seam gas is based on concerns about:
•   Contaminated water supply
•   Air pollution from the release of carcinogenic hydrocarbons and other toxic vapours
•   Depletion of scarce freshwater resources (up to 20 billion litres of fresh water are used at each well)
•   Wastewater disposal (where is it stored or dumped?)
•   Industrialisation of vital agricultural farmland
•   Increased carbon dioxide emissions from methane
•   Destruction of wildlife habitat (logging State Forests is already decimating habitat).
The reputation of Coal Seam Gas as a clean fossil fuel that could last a century is rapidly deteriorating. In January, new research by the EPA, found that greenhouse gas emissions from coal seam gas mining are almost 9000 times higher than previously calculated because of methane emissions. The only safe place for coal seam gas is in the ground.
Some petroleum geologists are now saying that, because the wells deplete so quickly, the coal seam gas represents only about seven years’ supply in North America.
To squander money on a limited, polluting and hazardous industry is irresponsible and short-sighted.
I urge governments to do the sensible (and in the long-term more cost efficient) thing and spend our money on the infrastructure to establish renew-able energy systems that don’t pollute the environment or deplete earth’s resources.
I will be voting for the politicians or political parties who say NO to Coal Seam Gas mining and YES to renewable energy.
Michelle Lopert
Kendall
