But as far as Senator Canavan is concerned, the trio are putting "practicality ahead of wishful thinking" in calling out what they say are major shortcomings with renewable energy - especially in overcoming its intermittency - and have dubbed their two-day tour of the Hunter "the caravan of common sense".

As well as visiting Centennial Coal's Mandalong underground mine and Delta Electricity's Vales Point power station yesterday, they launched what they said was a new website - huntercoal.com.au - which contains an online petition calling for a new 'high efficiency low emission" (HELE) coal-fired power station under the banner of "Nationals for Coal".

"The Hunter is a perfect place to build a new power plant, with locations near Muswellbrook easily able to accommodate a new power station that would not only bring jobs to the area but the entire state," the petition says.

Talking to various television presenters yesterday, the trio pushed the message that lower energy costs would help manufacturing which would maintain and create jobs.

Mr Gillespie said Australia should use its natural advantage to use its energy-rich black coal in new generation low-emission power stations to follow America's lead and cut power prices which would help rejuvenate our sagging manufacturing industries which were being crippled under high power costs.

Mr Joyce said no-one had yet explained where coalminers would get good well-paid work if their industry was shut down.

He said the ALP had given up on coal and the NSW government under Energy Minister Matt Kean's "Roadmap" policy were "lemmings chasing after them".

Mr Canavan said the uncertainty created by the NSW government "going it alone" on power could prejudice the recent $8.7 million grant to help upgrade Vales Point in the federal budget.

For faster access to the latest Newcastle news download our NEWCASTLE HERALD APP and sign up for breaking news, sport and what's on sent directly to your email

IN THE NEWS: