Clean coal coalition to combat climate change

Two of the world’s key coal-producing states – Queensland, and Wyoming in the United States – have joined forces to help fight climate change with clean coal technologies.

Queensland Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson today opened the Clean Coal Technologies: Queensland and Wyoming – the case for cooperation conference hosted by The University of Queensland (UQ).

Minister Wilson said Queensland and Wyoming shared a number of similarities.

“We’re both big coal producers with an abundance of coal reserves that will continue to play a role in the global electricity mix,” Mr Wilson said.

“In Queensland, that’s simply because we have over 32 billion tonnes of high quality, low-cost, easily accessible black coal, sufficient to last for more than 300 years.

“Our key challenge is to use it in a responsible and environmentally sustainable way. That’s why this collaboration between Queensland and Wyoming is so important.

“By combining our intellectual and policy firepower we can resolve research and development challenges and encourage other nations to embrace clean coal technologies.

“We must all work together to address climate change. If it’s left to governments alone, it will never work. Industry and research and development organisations all have a role to play because climate change is the responsibility of all of us.

“We will build on the partnership already in place between UQ and the University of Wyoming and broaden it to include government and industry,” Mr Wilson said.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield said clean coal researchers at UQ and the University of Wyoming set the impetus for close cooperation between the states.

“Our shared interest in clean coal is prompting the advancement and application of new technologies for affordable and environmentally sustainable energy.

“Research can go so far, but it’s the buy-in from policy makers and the industries that extract, burn and process coal that will ensure the widespread application of research outcomes,” Professor Greenfield said.

Minister Wilson said the State Government was investing heavily in clean coal technology.

“Our ClimateSmart 2050 policy has a new investment of $414 million, including $300 million for our Climate Change Fund - all underpinned by a strong commitment to the coal industry.

“Add that to Queensland’s $300 million for clean coal technology and industry contributions of $600 million – and that’s $1.3 billion for clean coal technologies,” Mr Wilson said.

“By investing in Queensland’s $26 billion-a-year coal industry, we’re investing in the workers at the coal face. We’re investing in their future.

“The resources boom has delivered enormous economic benefits to Queensland and it has also thrown up challenges. We’re rising to meet them by providing the creativity and innovation needed to make things happen quickly,” he said.

The Wyoming delegation is led by Bob Jensen, CEO of the Wyoming Business Council, who is also representing the Governor of Wyoming.

The delegation is made up of government, research and industry representatives, including senior figures from GE Gasification, BP and Rio Tinto USA.

Today’s clean coal technologies workshop at UQ’s Customs House is sponsored by the Universities of Wyoming and Queensland, Rio Tinto and the Centre for Low Emission Technology.

Media Inquiries: Minister’s Office Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819