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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?

Showing 30 reactions

  • Derek Millar
    signed 2021-09-14 20:59:16 +1000
    It would be good if the land could be dirtibuted into a number of farms, rather than have it fall into the hands of one giant agricultural conglomerate.

    What are the chances?
  • Janelle Briggs
    signed 2021-09-14 20:58:55 +1000
  • Sarah Lukeman
    signed 2021-09-14 20:58:02 +1000
  • Lou Flower
    signed 2021-09-14 20:57:46 +1000
  • Maryanne Bell
    signed 2021-09-14 20:55:51 +1000
  • Margaret Roberts
    signed 2021-09-14 20:55:45 +1000
  • Terence Miller
    signed 2021-09-14 20:53:29 +1000
  • Norman Jackson
    signed 2021-09-14 20:51:34 +1000
  • Brian Allen
    signed 2021-09-14 20:48:14 +1000
    What’s more value and important? Farms that feed a growing population, or the coal that’s under the farms?
  • Denis Rothwell
    signed 2021-09-14 20:47:29 +1000
    Although it is not final, it is good to have victories like this where persistence and perseverance pays off. Congratulations to all who helped make it happen. We need a lot more of these.
  • Alison Jones
    signed 2021-09-14 20:46:59 +1000
  • Sharon Kinnison
    signed 2021-09-14 20:46:16 +1000
  • Mick Lyons
    signed 2021-09-14 20:44:18 +1000
  • Jo Humphrys
    signed 2021-09-14 20:43:50 +1000
  • Frank Chappell
    signed 2021-09-14 20:43:34 +1000
    Please!!!!
  • Graham Wand
    signed 2021-09-14 20:41:13 +1000
  • Michael Astle
    signed 2021-09-14 20:41:06 +1000
    Those who live on the land have a duty to conservatively manage its health well for future generations. Outsiders have no place interfering with the places locals care about.
  • Yvonne Coleman
    signed 2021-09-14 20:39:28 +1000
  • Chris Pavich
    signed 2021-09-14 20:39:05 +1000
    High Quality farming lands in Korea are cherished – and here in Australia we feel the same spirit of this land, that KEPCO would destroy forever.
  • Vera Gerber
    signed 2021-09-14 20:37:52 +1000
  • Julia Walsh
    signed 2021-09-14 20:37:43 +1000
  • Stuart Robson
    signed 2021-09-14 20:36:28 +1000
  • Greg Rogers
    signed 2021-09-14 20:35:08 +1000
  • Luanne Hill
    signed 2021-09-14 20:34:38 +1000
  • Kathryn Nicholson
    signed 2021-09-14 20:30:27 +1000
  • Ifeanna Tooth
    signed 2021-09-14 20:28:34 +1000
    Do the right thing by the local community and protect this valley for the long term!
  • Julie Lincoln
    signed 2021-09-14 20:25:48 +1000
    Best wishes for the future
  • Janet Moore
    signed 2021-09-14 20:24:49 +1000
  • Michael Rainbow
    signed 2021-09-14 20:24:37 +1000
  • Leonie Dean
    signed 2021-09-14 20:24:21 +1000