DOC gives OK on Marsden Point coal plans

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is satisfied plans to fire up Marsden B Power Station using coal would have little effect on the environment.

An Official Information Act request has revealed that DOC received assurances from Mighty River Power that the environmental effects would be minimal.

DOC has been slated by critics of the plan to fire up Marsden B for withdrawing from speaking on its submission opposing the scheme.

Conservation Minister Chris Carter said earlier this month he was happy with the reasons given by DOC for the withdrawal, but he would not say what those reasons were.

But documents released under the Official Information Act show DOC made the decision after Mighty River Power satisfied the department's concerns that "the effects on conservation would be minimal."

The report to Mr Carter also said further information indicated that air emissions from the station would be well within international and New Zealand guidelines, with considerable safety margins.

Advice to DOC from atmospheric and water research agency Niwa was that there were no significant thermal effects on the environment from the station and that, even in worse case situations, no significant ecological effects would occur.

Because of this advice, DOC provided a statement to the committee hearing the application that it did not want to speak to its submission opposing the station.

A decision on whether to allow the station to go ahead is expected by the end of the month.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)