Carbon Energy fined for releasing contaminated water

The Newman Government has sent a strong message that it won’t tolerate companies damaging the environment, by fining an Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) trial plant that released contaminated water.

Carbon Energy, which has a plant located between Dalby and Chinchilla, was fined $60,000 and its executive officer, Andrew Dash, was fined $2,000 for breaching their environmental conditions and failing to notify the department.

Environment and Heritage Protection Minister Andrew Powell said this proves that his department was closely monitoring and dealing with environmental issues associated with UCG and other mining activities.

“The Queensland public should be reassured and take confidence from this outcome,” Mr Powell said.

“I have previously stated that we will do everything that we can to assist industry and help them do the right thing.”

“However, if serious environmental harm occurs then we will vigorously pursue those who break the law.”

Carbon Energy pleaded guilty to two counts of contravening a condition of an Environmental Authority and one count of failing to notify the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection as soon as practical, as required under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

The company’s executive officer, Andrew Dash, pleaded guilty to one count of failing to ensure that Carbon Energy complied with the Environmental Protection Act 1994. 

Carbon was also ordered to pay $40,000 in legal and investigative costs.

Mr Powell said the company was charged following an investigation in 2010.

[ENDS] 6 December 2012

Media Contact: Ken Vernon 0431 027 017