'Come clean' about power station - Opposition
November 08, 2006 03:25pm
Article from: AAP
THE NSW opposition has questioned whether dividend demands on Delta Energy have led to maintenance shortcuts at Vales Point power station, where a major explosion and fire occurred today.
Opposition Energy spokeswoman Peta Seaton said the Government took $790 million in electricity dividends last year and would take $744 million this year from Delta Energy and other power utilities.
She called for a response from Energy Minister Joe Tripodi following today's fire at the Central
Coast power plant, which was evacuated while the blaze was brought under control.
"Joe Tripodi must come clean about any effect this will have on energy supply security in NSW and whether sufficient money was available after dividend payments to do necessary maintenance and protect staff safety,'' Ms Seaton said.
"Now is the time for Labor to come clean about what effect this explosion and evacuation will have on likely summer blackouts for NSW families and businesses.''
A report by Transgrid in May this year predicted reliability issues in meeting the continued increases in NSW summer peak demand, Ms Seaton said.
"This fire risks putting a hole in 10 per cent of NSW's power supply, increasing the risk of blackouts,'' she said.
Ms Seaton said Vales Point contributed about 10 per cent of NSW's power capacity.
Comment is being sought from Mr Tripodi.
http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,23636,20722374-31037,00.html
[This message has been edited by 32VAC (edited 11-08-2006).]
