Can you really carbon offset a power station? It should be a last resort | Graham Readfearn

EnergyAustralia is building a regular fossil fuel power station and buying carbon offsets based on its emissions

• Temperature Check is a weekly column examining claims about climate change made by governments, politicians, business and in the media. See the latest column and follow the series here

At EnergyAustralia, we're already building Australia's first carbon offset power station," says a smiling tradie in hi-vis overlooking a construction site.

The line is from EnergyAustralia's new TV ad that has been appearing in prime time slots accompanied by Fleetwood Mac's 1977 classic tune, Don't Stop.