WITH air quality in the Upper Hunter a major concern for residents, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has fined AGL Macquarie Pty Limited $15,000 for alleged excessive dust emissions from Liddell Power Station.
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EPA director regulatory operations Metro North Adam Gilligan said the EPA received notification from AGL Macquarie and the community regarding the emissions coming from the station earlier this year.
"The EPA received reports of excess dust being generated, from the ash dam, which is a breach of the Environment Protection Licence for the power station," he said.
Mr Gilligan said that Liddell had allegedly breached their licence by failing to ensure that operations and activities were being carried out in a manner that minimised dust emissions.
"Managing dust from large operations such as Liddell Power Station is a key issue for the community, and the EPA considers any non-compliance as a serious matter," he added.
AGL Macquarie flooded the ash dam to prevent further dust emissions during the hot and dry conditions being experienced at the time.
In 2019 record air quality alerts were issued by the Upper Hunter Air Quality Monitor Network with more than 1000 reported across the region - a figure more than three times higher than the previous year.
People can report concerns regarding dust to the EPA on 131 555.
All dust complaints made to the Environment Line are being directed to the EPA officers in the field so they can target those areas of most concern to the community.
