Farmers fear SA blackouts being used to push through 850-well coal seam gas project

Santos says the proposed Narrabri gas project could supply up to 50% of New South Wales' gas needs

A group of New South Wales farmers fear that the federal and state governments are using the South Australian blackouts to push through a controversial 850-well coal seam gas project in the north-west of the state.

The NSW government released the environmental impact statement (EIS) on Tuesday for the Narrabri coal seam gas project, weeks after Malcolm Turnbull raised the possibility of a domestic gas reserve where an exploration area could be set aside exclusively for domestic consumption.