A report commissioned by the NSW government and written by former coal lobbyist Cameron O’Reilly is recommending that the NSW government spend hundreds of millions of dollars per year to extend the life of Eraring coal-fired power station beyond its current lifespan.

“NSW climate targets rely heavily on closing coal, and for good reason - it’s the largest source of climate pollution, and the easiest to phase out.”

Current NSW government climate projections rely on emissions from coal power reducing from 49 million tonnes in 2020 to just 9.5 million tonnes in 2030, the equivalent of just one coal power station, down from the current four.

“We cannot imagine a scenario where the NSW government reaches its own inadequate climate targets if they choose to extend the life of Eraring by even one or two years”.