Solid Energy has confirmed it will seek resource consents to build a lignite conversion briquetting plant in Mataura, in Southland, as antagonists await local bodies' decision on whether the consents will be publicly notified.
Just as National's ill-fated proposal to "surgically" mine National Parks inflamed environmentalists across the country, the southern lignite issue is likely to be a major election issue.
Public meetings were held in Dunedin and Invercargill this week by the Coal Action Network Aotearoa, led by former Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons, opposing any new coal or mine developments and wanting coal use phased out during the next 20 years.
It was understood, but not confirmed, the Gore District Council and Environment Southland were due to release a decision shortly; which if publicly notified would mean public submissions could be made on the proposal.
Ms Fitzsimons' environmental platform rests largely on the prospect New Zealand's carbon emissions will be dramatically raised with more coal and lignite use, to the environment's detriment.
Solid Energy's new development manager, Brett Gamble, on Thursday said some claims had led to an "impression" its proposed demonstration briquetting plant would emit "millions of tonnes of carbon".
"Discharges from the demonstration plant, about the size of one and a-half football fields, will be minimal," Mr Gamble said in a statement.
