Dust emissions see power station fined

Origin Energy Eraring has been fined $15,000 over dust emissions from its Eraring Power Station at Lake Macquarie in October 2019.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) issued the fine, alleging that the operator breached its environment protection licence due to excessive dust emissions from the station’s ash dam.

“The EPA received complaints alleging excessive dust being generated and blown from the station’s ash dam on the afternoon of 17 October 2019.

“The dust was witnessed from several kilometres away and had the potential to impact local air quality and disturb the amenity of residents,” said EPA Regional Director Metro Operations North Adam Gilligan.

“The EPA investigated this incident and alleges that the ash dam was not being operated in a manner which would have minimised the dust emissions, in contravention of their licence conditions and an offence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act.”

The licensee ceased ash dam operations at the time and is undertaking several actions in response to the incident.

The EPA has issued an official caution and two previous penalty notices in the past three years and will continue to monitor the management of the ash dam.

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