Chevron said today it was disappointed with the state government's decision to commence a review of greenhouse gas emissions at the company's recently commissioned Wheatstone LNG project.
Chevron said today it was disappointed with the state government's decision to commence a review of greenhouse gas emissions at the company's recently commissioned Wheatstone LNG project.
The Environmental Protection Authority said it had received a request from Environment Minister Stephen Dawson to review the adequacy of the environmental condition governing emissions from the plant, to ensure the project met contemporary standards.
“The minister for environment has requested the Environmental Protection Authority inquire into and report on the adequacy of the environmental condition which monitors greenhouse gas emissions placed on Chevron Australia’s Wheatstone development,” the EPA said in a statement.
“The EPA will now carry out an inquiry into the existing air quality condition placed on the project to ensure it is in line with contemporary best practice.
“Once the inquiry is completed, the EPA will prepare a report for the minister that includes recommendations on whether the conditions should be changed.”
A Chevron spokesperson said the company was disappointed with the review.
"Chevron is disappointed by the WA government’s recent direction to the EPA regarding the Ministerial Conditions given emissions from the Wheatstone Project are regulated by the Australian government’s Safeguard Mechanism," the spokesperson said.
"Chevron continues to work with government to support a single and consistent national approach to managing greenhouse gas emissions."
The spokesperson said managing greenhouse emissions is an integral part of the company's business.
"At Wheatstone, a range of technologies are in place to reduce emissions by approximately 700,000 tonnes per year," the spokesperson said.
"Natural gas is widely recognised as an effective, cost efficient and cleaner-burning energy source than traditional non-renewable energy options.
"Chevron is working to increase the supply of natural gas into Australian and international energy markets to help realise the objective of low cost solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
Conservation Council of Western Australia director Piers Verstegen said the review was needed.
“To have WA’s largest climate polluter operating with no controls on its pollution is simply not acceptable,” he said.
“We look forward to the EPA taking a science-based position on this matter, and once again advising that carbon pollution conditions are necessary for this incredibly polluting facility.”
