Toxic emissions from some coal-fired power stations have risen even though they are generating less electricity than in the past, according to an analysis of National Pollutant Inventory data.
The NSW government will amend state regulations with the aim of improving the quality of National Pollutant Inventory data it receives from hundreds of companies.
Legal activist group Environmental Justice Australia says new NPI data on particle pollution should trigger an EPA investigation into Delta Electricity, and confirm its view that dust controls at Yallourn power station are faulty.
The Coalition will have an unprecedented opportunity to put its stamp on national environmental laws and schemes, due to a host of reviews that are either imminent or already under way.
This year's National Pollutant Inventory data has provided evidence that widely-used emission estimation manuals are seriously flawed, according to an expert on the scheme.
New pollution data provided by thousands of mines and industrial facilities indicates mercury emissions from coal-fired power stations have fallen sharply.
A state government suggested using the National Pollutant Inventory to monitor plastic waste, and power and mining companies favour less frequent NPI reporting, newly-released submissions reveal.
The National Pollutant Inventory should require facilities to report when they emit, not just what they release, according to health and pollution experts.