Environmentalists accuse DOC of capitulation

Environmentalists have accused the Department of Conservation of turning a blind eye to potential ecological damage by withdrawing its submission on plans to refire the Marsden B power station with coal.

State-owned power generator Mighty River Power has applied to the Whangarei District and Northland Regional Councils for 11 resource consents to convert the unused oil- fired Marsden B station at Ruakaka to a coal-fired station.

The application is being heard by a four-person commission appointed by the regional council, comprising chairman Peter Salmon, a retired high court judge, independent commissioner Gary Venus, David Hill and air quality expert Mark Goldstone.

DOC made a submission opposing the controversial plan, but withdrew its submission during the hearing process.

The department's Northland community relations manager Jeff Griggs said DOC initially opposed the plan because Mighty River did not give enough information about the potential effects on DOC-controlled land at Marsden Pt.

He said Mighty River had met DOC's technical experts and proved the effects on DOC land would be minor.

But environmental watchdog Greenpeace said DOC had blindly accepted Mighty River's word on things without listening to the evidence of other experts at the hearing, countering what Mighty River had to say.

Greenpeace climate and energy campaigner David Field said there was no doubt that, if allowed, the station would cause major pollution in the air, water and land around Marsden Pt and Whangarei Harbour. DOC was failing in its duty by not making a submission on the plan, he said.

Greenpeace says burning up to 830,000 tonnes of coal annually at Marsden B would release up to 2.17 million tonnes of carbon dioxide into the air. It would also release nitrogen oxide and heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and copper and dioxins into the air and marine environment.

"It's extremely disconcerting that DOC has withdrawn its submission on something that will be a major pollutant," Mr Field said.

"DOC should have listened to all the evidence, just like the commissioners do, before making its mind up. By withdrawing its submission it's saying DOC doesn't care about the environment."

There was now only one submission from a Government department on the application - the Ministry of Economic Development - and that supported the proposal.

"It now looks like the Government supports refiring Marsden B using coal and that is a concern," Mr Field said.

DOC administers land at Bream Head, Manaia Ridge, Mt Aubrey and Busby Head. Mr Griggs said DOC was satisfied the application would have just minor effects on the reserves, subject to stringent consent conditions being imposed as urged by regional council staff.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)