Changes

An application for construction approval for the plant is currently being considered was accepted by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoriain May 2011. On its website, the EPA states that over 4000 submissions were received on HRL's application.<ref>Environment Protection Authority Victoria [http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/bus/comments/dual-gas.asp "Dual Gas Pty Ltd – dual gas demonstration power station, Morwell"], Environment Protection Authority website, October 22, 2010.</ref> with a majority opposing the project.<ref name="EV">Environment Victoria, [http://www.environmentvictoria.org.au/media/new-coal-fired-power-station-faces-massive-public-opposition "New coal-fired power station faces massive public opposition"], Media Release, October 6, 2010.</ref> Public comment on HRL's application closed on October 6. The EPA was scheduled to make make a decision on the application by January 2, 2011.<ref name="EV"/> However, the agency's assessment of the project was suspended after further information was sought from the company.<ref>Stuart Fletcher, [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/07/3108090.htm "EPA halts power plant assessment"], ''ABC News'', January 7, 2011.</ref> In May 2011 four major banks in Australia denied funding for the coal plant, raising doubts about its viability. The denial came weeks after the plant was initially approved by the country's Environmental Protection Authority. The EPA's decision would allow the first coal plant to be build in Melbourne in nearly 20 years.<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/national/big-banks-no-to-coal-plant-20110520-1ewxj.html "Big banks 'no' to coal plant"] Royce Millar & Adam Morton, The Age, May 21, 2011.</ref>