It's his job to be big-noting coal mining and he's doing it here in Southland. 'Up-beat' Don sold his lignite story to the Southern Primary Sector Business Forum 'this month', according to the Southland Times, and I've no doubt most of them swallowed his tasty bait. He 'addressed' some of the concerns raised through the newspapers 'letters' column and other sources of discontent and hadn't banned the media from the meeting (Solid Energy must have regained their lost courage!), so we were able to read what he said in this mornings edition.
Don reckons we'll barely notice the mining. It'll only disturb one paddock of our lovely Mataura farmland.
One paddock!
Hallelujah!
And just one other for the conversion plants - it's a miracle!
Don's dismissive of those nay-sayers who claim 'vast swathes' will be claimed by the lignite mining giant, "Vast swathes!" he snorts, "More like vast swathes of one paddock!"
Don talked big figures which no doubt stimulated his audience greatly and had them yearning for the digging to begin. Mr Elder will have been well pleased by his performance and by the coverage he got from the Southland Times.
There are those though, who would like to ask him some further questions, especially around greenhouse gas, a topic that he either failed to mention to his business audience, or the journalists neglected to report on.
I suspect the former.
2 comments:
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It is sad, that our employee Don Elder of Solid Energy has such a influential position. In his recent public address, he shown his thinking is unfortunately is stuck in the twentieth century, to provide answers for the future. Thankfully that our own venture Southland has shown a more enlighten direction and with policy proposal towards the needs of the future.
Mr Elder it is now 2011, we know now that coal doesn’t provide the answers for our future. Smart scientists have discovered the future is with other more acceptable renewable alternatives. The thinkers in this country realise our prosperity, relies on us not abusing our environment. We know from our past history, that whenever we did , eventually economically we are the losers.
The share size of Solid Energy’s plans for Eastern Southland lignite in open cast mining will destroy acres and acres of our best and most productive fertile land. The leakage from the acid mine drainage, in consideration of the scale of the proposed mine, could severally environmentally damage the nearby ground water and as well possibly the waters of the Mataura River.
Our general election is due soon, I believe its time the political parties who want our vote, started to reveal what is their policy towards Solid Energy grossly irresponsible proposals. Which party I would like to know is prepared to show leadership, for the benefit of the community by reigning in Solid Energy. Maybe some parties will show they are also just as archaic and irresponsible as Mr Elder proposals.
Pauline McIntosh
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