by Jeanette Fitzsimons
Fonterra’s coal use is under scrutiny in South Island media after Robert Spurway, Global Operations Manager, replied on Tuesday to my column in the Christchurch Press.

Waimate locals and Coal Action Network activists make their statement in front of Fonterra’s Studholme plant
We are calling for Fonterra to use wood waste instead of coal in all its new boilers at its milk factories.
Mr Spurway says coal is the “only viable source” of heat to dry milk in the south Island, and begins his arguments by setting up a typical straw man.
CANA is not saying that “a switch to entirely wood fired burners would be simple”. Of course it will take some years, and that is why Fonterra should have started yesterday. At the very least, it is essential to start now, with any new burners being designed for renewable fuels. Then the oldest burners, which date from the 1970s and are probably the least efficient, can gradually be refurbished or replaced by purpose-built wood burners. Continue reading