Commenting on a story on page 6 of today's Australian Financial Review ("Quarter of power stations in the balance"), Dr Kaye said: "The ESAA's study shows that up to 25% of the nation's coal-fired power stations will need to be retired by 2020.
 
"NSW Treasurer Michael Costa has led the charge to force the Rudd government to prop up these highly polluting plants with so-called compensation for the costs of the emissions trading scheme.
 
"Pouring money into these generators could delay their closure and would reward the big polluters.
 
"It would take money away from households and from the new entrants who could be developing low-carbon sources of electricity.
 
"As Professor Ross Garnaut pointed out, the tobacco and asbestos industries were not given compensation for public health policies that reduced their profits.
 
"NSW Energy Minister Ian Macdonald is looking for handouts to prop up the Iemma government's privatisation of the state's coal-fired power stations.
 
"He is joining forces with other ministers from other states and the private power lobby to gouge large handouts from the emissions trading scheme.
 
"This is not money that should be going to prop up the profits of private generators or secure a politically acceptable sale price for NSW's coal-fired power stations.
 
"It is money that should be spent on developing new low-emissions technologies like wind, solar thermal and geothermal.
 
"And it is money that should be helping low and middle income households become more energy efficient to avoid the impacts of price rises.
 
"The ESAA study highlights the political risks ahead. Pork barrelling by state energy ministers and the corporate owners of private power station threatens to rip off householders and  the environment," Dr Kaye said.
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455