Pollutants
Carbon Monitoring for Action estimates that the Wallerawang Power Station emits approximately 6,500,000 tonnes (6,400,000 long tons) of CO2 each year as a result of burning coal. The Rudd government announced the introduction of a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme to help combat climate change that was expected to commence in 2010. However, a Bill to introduce the cap and trade system was defeated on the floor of the Parliament. The subsequent Australian Renewable Energy Agency Bill, 2011 (Cth) was enacted and established an emissions trading scheme to price carbon in Australia in a regulated manner between 2012 and June 2015. From July 2015, the price on carbon will be determined by market forces. It is expected that these measures will impact on emissions from power stations.
Wallerawang Power Station has emitted the following selected list of pollutants:
| Pollutant identified | Levels of pollutant | Location(s) of pollutant | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011-2012 | 2010-2011 | |||
| Ammonia | 740 kilograms (1,600 lb) | 520 kilograms (1,100 lb) | Air | |
| 6,900 kilograms (15,000 lb) | 8,600 kilograms (19,000 lb) | Water | ||
| Carbon monoxide | 660,000 kilograms (1,500,000 lb) | 470,000 kilograms (1,000,000 lb) | Air | |
| Chlorine and compounds | 680 kilograms (1,500 lb) | 1,600 kilograms (3,500 lb) | Air | |
| 1,900 kilograms (4,200 lb) | 1,200 kilograms (2,600 lb) | Water | ||
| Hydrochloric acid | 1,600,000 kilograms (3,500,000 lb) | 1,100,000 kilograms (2,400,000 lb) | Air | |
| Lead and compounds | 46 kilograms (100 lb) | 110 kilograms (240 lb) | Air | |
| Mercury and compounds | 12 kilograms (26 lb) | 6 kilograms (13 lb) | Air | |
| Oxides of Nitrogen | 16,000,000 kilograms (35,000,000 lb) | 11,000,000 kilograms (24,000,000 lb) | Air | |
| Sulfuric acid | 310,000 kilograms (680,000 lb) | 210,000 kilograms (460,000 lb) | Air | |
| Zinc and compounds | 320 kilograms (710 lb) | 220 kilograms (490 lb) | Air | |
Read more about this topic: Wallerawang Power Station