Coal miner pursues gagging order
Solid Energy is continuing with a defamation lawsuit against members of the Save Happy Valley Coalition, despite being told off by the National Party's Gerry Brownlee for "wasting taxpayers' money." (1)
"We think it's ridiculous that this state owned enterprise continues to pursue the case," says Save Happy Valley Coalition spokesperson Frances Mountier. "Save Happy Valley is perfectly entitled to expose Solid Energy's environmental management for what it is – greenwash with no basis in reality."
"This is a company that argues it can move entire wetlands, happily destroys kiwi habitat, and contributes as much carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as all of New Zealand's domestic transport. It's a blight upon the Labour Government's claims on biodiversity and 'carbon neutrality'." (2)
Solid Energy first threatened the legal action after the Save Happy Valley Coalition published a spoof environmental report. The report is available at http://indymedia.org.nz/media/all/display/8988 A teleconference between the legal representatives was held yesterday before Justice Doogue of the Christchurch High Court. The interim hearing is likely to be set for July.
"Solid Energy is paranoid that the public might find out what goes on in their mines, to the extent that they will pursue a case with no merit. They're even trying to silence us by using the Fair Trade Act - when we're not in trade!" said Ms Mountier.
The Save Happy Valley Coalition has already welcomed the defamation case bought by Solid Energy as an opportunity to debate the environmental record of the State-owned climate changer.
//ENDS
Media Contact
Frances Mountier, Save Happy Valley Coalition spokesperson 021 175 7484
Notes
(1) On Thursday 1st March, Brownlee, chairperson of the Commerce Committee, criticised Solid Energy for wasting taxpayers money lodging proceedings against the report.
(2) The Government's rhetoric – climate change
"New Zealand needs to go the extra mile to lower greenhouse gas emissions and increase sustainability…New Zealand has the potential to lead the world in its commitment to renewable energy" – Helen Clark, 13 February 2007.
The reality
"Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd is a state-owned enterprise, which operates as a commercial company but with only one shareholder, the New Zealand Government.
"Solid Energy expects to start developing the new mine [in Happy Valley] in 2006. About five million tonnes of coal will be progressively mined at Cypress over approximately 10 years in two opencast pits covering 105 hectares. A further 155 hectares will be used for overburden disposal, roads, water treatment, facilities and associated infrastructure" – Solid Energy's website.
The Government's rhetoric – biodiversity
"[The] national biodiversity strategy [is] aimed at ending the extinctions of native species. 'The primary goal is to maintain and restore a full range of New Zealand's habitats and ecosystems, along with populations of all native species across their natural ranges. This is the bottom line nationally if we are to prevent further decline in our indigenous biodiversity.'" - Helen Clark, 29 March 2000.
The reality
"… Powelliphanta "Augustus" is a small, isolated population at risk from catastrophic events. A catastrophic event has now arrived in the form of Solid Energy's bulldozers which will destroy much of the snail's known habitat.
"… It is our considered view that the destruction of a substantial portion of the habitat of the Powelliphanta "Augustus" in a situation which might possibly lead to extinction of that species is an action which is noxious, dangerous, offensive or objectionable to such an extent that it is likely to have an adverse effect on the environment." Environment Court, Save Happy Valley Coalition Inc V. Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd, 15th Dec 2005.
