By Saadet Gokce
ISTANBUL (AA) - Australia announced Wednesday that it has preliminarily approved the extension of the lifespan of its largest gas project until 2070 from its current approved operational life of 2030, despite strong criticism from activists.
"Following the consideration of rigorous scientific and other advice, including submissions from a wide cross-section of the community, I have today made a proposed decision to approve this development, subject to strict conditions, particularly relating to the impact of air emissions levels from the operation of an expanded onshore Karratha gas plant," Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt said in a statement.
Critics have slammed the extension of the North West Shelf gas processing plant in Karratha, Western Australia.
“This North West Shelf extension has been Labor’s single most important coal and gas decision to date. It will release more pollution each year than all of Australia’s coal stations combined and run for 45 more years,” said Greens Senator Larissa Waters.
"This approval will mean supercharged floods, fires and species extinctions," said Waters.
David Ritter, the CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, called the approval "a terrible decision" which brings destructive gas drilling "one step closer to Scott Reef, a magnificent marine ecosystem that is home to threatened species like pygmy blue whales and green sea turtles."