KEPCO Open Letter

Can you help us get the ear of the KEPCO CEO? We're calling on him to sell the land back for agriculture so our community can rebuild. Will you join us?

Phill Kennedy, President, Bylong Valley Protection Alliance

Dear Cheong Seung-il, CEO, KEPCO,

Today the NSW Court of Appeal ruled against KEPCO on appeal which means that the proposed Bylong coal project cannot proceed.

We, the undersigned, are calling on you to respond by relinquishing the exploration lease for the project and selling the land back to agricultural interests. We can see no valid basis for KEPCO to continue with the project.

The Bylong proposal is beset by severe environmental, social and economic risks. There is fierce and widespread opposition to the project in Australia and both of KEPCO’s legal challenges have failed.

It is also a legacy project planned and conceived many years ago that now has no place given the energy transformation that is underway.

South Korea’s new electricity plan - finalised in December 2020 - will see thermal coal consumption drop by almost 19 million tonnes per annum by 2030. The Bylong coal project is inconsistent with this Green New Deal that is underway.

We note that KEPCO has advised the Korean Government that they have recently had an offer for purchase of the land from agricultural interests.

In order to avoid sinking yet more large sums of money into a stranded asset that will besmirch KEPCO’s reputation, we encourage you to relinquish the exploration lease and enable the land to be returned to agriculture and nature conservation.

Regenerative agriculture and carbon farming at Bylong would provide a global climate benefit that would be a credit to KEPCO.

Please act now to relinquish the exploration lease and enable the local community to rebuild around a new, clean future.

Will you sign?

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Showing 30 reactions

Amanda Whiles signed 2021-09-16 08:03:34 +1000
jan goroncy signed 2021-09-16 07:57:49 +1000
Sally Hudson signed 2021-09-16 07:53:18 +1000
Olivia Kennedy signed 2021-09-16 07:32:43 +1000
Christine Leach signed 2021-09-16 07:30:30 +1000
Kyles Woodbury signed 2021-09-16 07:28:38 +1000
Andy Yeomans signed 2021-09-16 07:28:17 +1000
Gil Jones signed 2021-09-16 07:24:18 +1000
Michael Fleming signed 2021-09-16 07:18:29 +1000
Susan Hall signed 2021-09-16 07:16:09 +1000
Matthew Binks signed 2021-09-16 07:08:49 +1000
Glyn Gardner signed 2021-09-16 07:08:24 +1000

Dear KEPCO CEO. Now is the time for KEPCO to repair its reputation by accepting that it cannot proceed with the Bylong coal project and return the land back for agriculture and nature conservation. There has been, and continues to be, huge community opposition to your coal mine, and the worldwide concerns for climate change, means that KEPCO can be seen to be acknowledging these concerns by restoring the land for agriculture and conservation. Our family hopes that you take this action without further delay. Thank you.
Patricia Rhodes signed 2021-09-16 07:07:14 +1000
merridy Cairn-Duff signed via Yuri Bolotin 2021-09-16 06:56:56 +1000

the valley is so stunning and an important travel route to enable people to cross from East to West without otherwise doing a massive detour to Sydney area. The town of Bylong and that travel route could be a spectacular tourist attraction and warrant investment in that area- perhaps Kemco would like to consider that?- eclectic boutique farm stays and wineries, tourist guides and tours, nobody wants to look at a coal mine, EVERYBODY wants to relax and look at beautiful scenery and drink good wine
Tony Baron signed 2021-09-16 06:56:44 +1000

Mines come & go at the expense of the environment – and we only have one of those (in a rather unhealthy state).
Lesley Sammon signed 2021-09-16 06:54:59 +1000
Gae Parmenter signed 2021-09-16 06:54:48 +1000
Ross Duncan signed 2021-09-16 06:53:50 +1000
Yvonne Hartman signed 2021-09-16 06:50:33 +1000
Janet Reynolds signed 2021-09-16 06:49:14 +1000

Please return the land to those who will care for it.
Amanda Lockton signed 2021-09-16 06:47:31 +1000
Danny OBrien signed 2021-09-16 06:46:56 +1000
elaine mcnamara signed 2021-09-16 06:45:09 +1000
J Hunt signed 2021-09-16 06:38:52 +1000

Korea has the greatest global tidal power station and I suggest that this be expanded, please comsider
Arnaud Bernard signed 2021-09-16 06:34:03 +1000
Jennie signed 2021-09-16 06:29:52 +1000

We need a healthy planet, regenerative agriculture, innovative clean energy and food security, we do not need fossil fuels.
Melissa Gray signed 2021-09-16 06:22:56 +1000
Janie Smith signed 2021-09-16 06:22:18 +1000

Please return this land to local farmers for longevity’ purposes to have a viable industry for future generations.
Graham Barnes signed 2021-09-16 06:17:48 +1000

We need to return Australian land to Australian ownership, especially good arable land, to produce food crops. Future global warming will have adverse effects in the form of droughts and floods and reserve ground will be necessary. Please give Australian agribusiness the first optio to buy and repopulate Bylong Valley.
Nicola Sheaffe signed 2021-09-16 06:15:44 +1000