Update 16/06/2021

We are calling on our supporters to make a submission to the Inquiry, either as an individual or on behalf of a community group to show support for the NSW Clean Air Bill. 

To help guide your submission, check out the submissions guide compiled by EJA and The Nature Conservation Council of NSW. You can also read the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry here.  

The Terms of Reference for the Inquiry are broad, enabling submissions to address specific legislative aspects of the Clean Air Bill and/or make submissions more generally on air pollution from coal-fired power stations.

The Clean Air Bill presents a crucial opportunity for law reform. It proposes to amend the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 to stop coal-fired power stations emitting dangerous air pollutants above limits. This could significantly improve the health impacts for communities to air pollution

This Inquiry is a huge opportunity to show our support for the Clean Air Bill, and win clean air for communities in NSW. Together, we can have a huge impact.

May 2021

Abigail Boyd from the NSW Greens has introduced the Protection of the Environment Operations Amendment (Clean Air) Bill 2021 to NSW Parliament. The Bill seeks to introduce tougher standards for concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), particle pollution (PM) and mercury emissions from coal fired power stations. Further information, including the second reading speech, which specifically mentions work undertaken by EJA, can be found here.  

This is an exciting step for so many NSW communities who, for too long, have had their health and wellbeing sidelined by polluting coal-fired power stations. 

The Bill has been referred to the NSW Legislative Council’s Portfolio Committee No. 7 – Planning and Environment for an inquiry. Submissions to the Inquiry are open until Wednesday 30 June 2021. EJA will be making a submission using the recommendations in the People’s Clean Air Action Plan for NSW. We’ll also be mobilising submissions from other groups and the community, and seeking to meet with Abigail Boyd to discuss the Inquiry further. 

If you’re in NSW, keep an eye out for more resources and submission writing tips and tricks to help guide your submission. Together, we can build widespread community support for clean air for our communities.