More power stations choose to close

The owner of the other Latrobe Valley power stations has said they would close the bown coal plant if a compensation deal could be organised.

This has put pressure on Julia Gillard to put more of a focus and budget dedication to close the polluting plants.

The Hazlewood plant has said they would need financially from the Federal Government as the planned closure will head into the millions.

“The only way to begin the stages closure of Hazelwood power is for the Victorian government and the Commonwealth to work together with Hazelwood’s owner, International Power and its financers,” said Premier Brumby.

Gillard has said she would be open to offering Federal help to assisting in the closure of two of the eight units at Hazelwood.

“Obviously, it is a complex matter, we are talking about a very expensive place and we would need to talk to him (Brumby),” said Gillard.

The closure of Hazlewood would require $1 billion to compensate plant owners and workers.

TruEnergy the owner of the Yallourn power station would consider progressively closing down the plant if they were paid out.

“Given there is unlikely to be an emission trading scheme in the near term, direct action (in the form of compensation for cutting pollution) is certainly something that will reduce emissions,” said TruEnergy spokesman Carl Kitchen.

Kitchen has said an emission trading scheme would be the best way to reduce greenhouse gas emission.