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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

  • Marigold Hayler
    signed 2021-09-14 18:16:12 +1000
  • Rosalind Halton
    signed 2021-09-14 18:16:07 +1000
    It is so pleasing to see that after a very long process, Byalong Valley is finally safe from development as a coalmine. Return the land to agricultural use! This would be a great outcome.
  • Bronny McLellan
    signed 2021-09-14 18:15:07 +1000
  • Julia Wokes
    signed 2021-09-14 18:15:00 +1000
    We need to protect valuable agricultural land.
  • Karen Shepherd
    signed 2021-09-14 18:14:48 +1000
    Thank you in anticipation of affording this community the opportunity to rebuild and thrive in a clean and green environment.
  • Stephanie
    signed 2021-09-14 18:14:25 +1000
    We need to abide by what the Bylong community wishes.
  • Karlene Beahan
    signed 2021-09-14 18:14:02 +1000
  • Ann Robinson
    signed 2021-09-14 18:13:41 +1000
    Saving farming land is critical to stop global warming, no more mines.
  • Anna-Rosa Baker
    signed 2021-09-14 18:12:58 +1000
  • Abigail Humphreys
    signed 2021-09-14 18:12:52 +1000
    Give it back to demonstrate good faith
  • John Visser Visser
    signed 2021-09-14 18:12:42 +1000
  • Julie Dickson
    signed 2021-09-14 18:12:02 +1000
  • Deborah Vertessy
    signed 2021-09-14 18:11:38 +1000
  • Ellie Johnston
    signed 2021-09-14 18:10:50 +1000
  • Irene Callahan
    signed 2021-09-14 18:10:29 +1000
  • Fiona O'Connor
    signed 2021-09-14 18:10:11 +1000
  • Margaret Antonini
    signed 2021-09-14 18:09:46 +1000
  • Gregory Scott
    signed 2021-09-14 18:08:38 +1000
  • Jenny M
    signed 2021-09-14 18:08:17 +1000
    In the interests of goodwill, please allow the Bylong Valley to restore it’s community by enabling the return of the land to it’s residents and local landholders.
  • Clive Brown
    signed 2021-09-14 18:07:20 +1000
  • Jenny Ransley
    signed 2021-09-14 18:07:17 +1000
  • Travis White
    signed 2021-09-14 18:07:04 +1000
  • Peter Somerville
    signed 2021-09-14 18:06:41 +1000
  • Margaret Bluett
    signed 2021-09-14 18:06:31 +1000
  • Laurie Brand
    signed 2021-09-14 18:06:22 +1000
  • Anna Sri
    signed 2021-09-14 18:06:07 +1000
  • Sigrid McGarva
    signed 2021-09-14 18:05:42 +1000
  • Beverley Bowyer
    signed 2021-09-14 18:04:51 +1000
  • Stephen Flint
    signed 2021-09-14 18:04:36 +1000
    Please return the land
  • Raymond Alexander
    signed 2021-09-14 18:04:34 +1000
    This is an opportunity for the Bylong to make a positive transition to renewables in a productive way that will enhance agriculture and provide jobs.