Lovely Lyttelton ... or more coal?
Home » Blog » Annabel McAleer » Lovely Lyttelton ... or more coal?Environment Canterbury is taking submissions on proposals to double coal exports from the Port of Lyttelton this week. Here's how to have your say.
The Port of Lyttelton is seeking resource consent to almost double its coal capacity to nearly five million tonnes each year, to handle growing exports from Solid Energy and Pike River Coal. Five million tonnes of coal would create over 10 billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent.
Lyttelton Harbour
Metiria Turei, co-leader of the Green Party, writes:
"We all understand how burning coal affects climate change. Whether coal gets burned here or in China, we'll all suffer the consequences. The Port plans to expand a quarry, tear down a hill, dredge a bit of harbour and 'reclaim' another part. The environmental impact will be massive. Lyttelton Port shareholders stand to make a short-term profit but our children will be picking up the long-term costs. We think there's a different and better way towards prosperity for all New Zealanders.
"Environment Canterbury is taking submissions on the coal expansion proposal right now. Please take a few moments to tell Environment Canterbury that you oppose any expansion of the Lyttelton Port coal facility."
What you can do
- Read the Green Party's guidelines for making a submission. There are 12 proposals; at the link you'll find suggestions for opposing each of them
- Read our story 'Convenient truths about coal' for ten key facts about coal mining
- Read about the Lyttelton Port Company's plans at the Environment Canterbury website
- Make a submission before 5pm this Friday, February 12
- If you live in Christchurch, visit Lyttelton later this month for the Lyttelton Summer Festival, an "environmentally friendly fiesta" that runs from February 19–28
Wed February 10, 2010 @ 05:58 PM
