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Greens MPs send invoice to Eden Chipmill
Tuesday, 02 September 2008
Multi-million cost of carbon pollution from logging in East Gippsland
and Southeast forests: Greens MPs send invoice to Eden Chipmill
Following a visit yesterday to Eden Chipmill Greens MPs from Victoria,
NSW and ACT have forwarded to the mill's general manager an invoice for
the estimated cost of the carbon pollution generated as a result of
2006/7 logging.
Greens MPs Sue Pennicuik (Victoria), Lee Rhiannon (NSW) and Deb Foskey
(ACT) toured the Eden Chipmill today with Peter Mitchell, General
Manager, and Peter Rutherford, Forestry Manager, with South East Fibre
Exports Pty Ltd.
"Our visit today to the Eden Chipmill was informative and we
appreciated the briefing we were given by the SEFE management team.
However, the challenge of climate change has thrown up more reasons why
our magnificent native forests in East Gippsland and southeast NSW
should be protected and logging discontinued,* Ms Pennicuik said.
"To highlight the damaging impact this chipmill operation is having on
the global as well as the local environment today we have sent an
invoice to Mr Mitchell for the estimated cost of the carbon pollution
generated by logging linked to the Eden Chipmill.
"The invoice for $181 million has been determined using the latest
data on the amount of carbon dioxide released by logging based on an
estimated $10 per tonne cost for carbon dioxide under an Emissions
Trading Scheme.
"The $10 per tonne figure is conservative. Using Sir Nicholas Stern
$107 per tonne of carbon dioxide figure set out in his report to the
British government this invoice would rise to $1.9 billion.
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon said, "One of the most significant actions we
can take to cut Australia's greenhouse gas emissions is to stop native
forest logging.
"A climate change priority for the NSW and federal governments is to
close down the Eden Chipmill and develop a restructuring package that
involves retraining and jobs for the 70 chipmill workers.
"Our precious forests are of far greater value to the world as a
carbon bank than as a shipload of woodchips heading to Japan.
Greens MP Deb Foskey said "I will be working closely with my NSW and
Victorian colleagues on this campaign to expose the threats posed by
forestry destruction and woodchipping to climate change.
"Native forests should not be felled for woodchips, electricity
generation or to drive the profits of overseas companies. The rich
southeast biodiversity must be protected.
"Closure of the chipmill will be a win for the environment and the
economy, as the pollution cost burden will be removed.
Copies of the invoice and letter to Mr Mitchell available on request.
For more information - Lee Rhiannon - 0427 861 568, Sue Pennicuik -
0407 000 270, Deb Foskey - 0413 223 585