Solid Energy Counters Coal-in-Hole Campaign
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Solid Energy has stepped up the lignite propaganda war as the “Keep the Coal in the Hole” protest festival kicks off in Mataura.
A video posted on its website urged viewers to join a balanced discussion on lignite in Southland.
“Green lobbyists are doing their best to limit the discussion on whether or not to mine lignite to pithy slogans like `keep coal in the hole’,” the video’s introduction says. “We urge you to watch this short film and come to your own conclusions.”
The video, originally shown at information days in Mataura, appeared to be a response to the protest, organized by anti-lignite campaigners Coal Action Network Aotearoa (CANA), taking place near the town this weekend.
It includes comments from Solid Energy chief executive Don Elder, who stressed the importance of the opportunity to New Zealand and the potential economic benefit for Eastern Southland.
Brett Gamble, the company’s group manager of new developments, and Greg Visser, the general manager of lignite conversion, also appeared in the video.
Mr Visser talked up Solid Energy’s green credentials, saying that environmental performance was a key concern and environmentally friendly projects performed more efficiently than dirty ones.
The company is building a briquetting plant near Mataura to process lignite from its New Vale mine in Eastern Southland, which would employ 12 people.
CANA spokesman Kristin Gillies said the argument that it was trying to limit the debate was false. “We are trying to broaden the debate, and have a national debate,” he said.
Source: (Jan. 21, 2012) The Southland Times
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