WA’s environmental watchdog sees some issues with a major gas plant.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in Western Australia has raised concerns regarding the limited reductions being made by Woodside's Pluto Liquid Natural Gas plant in the Pilbara to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions. 

A new EPA report states that the reduction targets proposed by Woodside between 2030 and 2050 need to be more substantial to address climate change and limit the impact on the environment. 

Additionally, the EPA has urged for an inquiry to ensure the plant's emissions do not accelerate the weathering of World-Heritage-nominated rock art on the Burrup Peninsula. 

Pluto is one of the top five carbon-emitting projects in Western Australia, emitting 1.9 million tonnes of carbon-dioxide equivalent emissions in 2020–21.

According to Woodside's net-zero plan released two years ago, the gas plant will reduce its emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 and 35 per cent by 2035 from the baseline of 4.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. 

Woodside aims to have a 100 per cent reduction in its emissions by 2050. However, the EPA has voiced concerns that the current rate of reduction is inadequate. 

The Woodside spokesperson argued that the company would achieve these targets through the adoption of aero-derivative gas turbines for liquefaction, which is considered best practice for LNG developments in Australia. The technology will provide higher thermal efficiency and the lowest GHG emissions.

The EPA report also highlighted the need for an inquiry into the potential impact of the plant's emissions on the Burrup Peninsula's petroglyphs. 

The area, which includes the Burrup Peninsula, Dampier Archipelago, and underwater areas, is currently being considered for World Heritage status. 

The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation is pushing for new conditions that would bind Woodside to the outcomes of its rock art monitoring program. 

The EPA has strongly hinted that the Environment Minister Reece Whitby should request the authority to provide advice on the Pluto emissions, as it did for other high-polluting projects. 

The revision of emissions targets coincides with the EPA's work on a new Greenhouse Gas Policy, which is set to be released this year.