Tony Abbott keen to rush coal development, stifle renewable energy
Developers and financiers say few large scale projects are being approved while utilities retain the hope that their obligations under the large scale renewable energy target will be diluted. Financial parties will also not come to the party while that uncertainty remains and power purchase agreements are not written.
The Coalition has also vowed to scrap the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and has flagged new noise monitoring rules for wind farms and yet more inquiries into health impacts.
Abbott to fast-track coal mines, in competition for ideas REneweconomy By Giles Parkinson on 1 July 2013 Tony Abbott has given his clearest indication yet that he intends to fast-track approval for large thermal coal mining projects, saying his new “one stop” shop for environmental approvals will ensure quick decisions on project approvals.
Abbott’s move, along with his party’s policy platform that has effectively suspended most investment in large scale renewables, comes as newly restored Prime Minister Kevin Rudd seeks to take the wind out of Abbott’s sails by proposing a more rapid transition to a (low) market price for carbon, as first foreshadowed on this website last Thursday morning, and the Greens push for even more ambition – proposing a 90 per cent renewables target by 2030.
Abbott’s commitment to fast-track coal investments is included in his
media statement released amid the Labor Party leadership drama last Wednesday. He wants it to make “swift decisions” and “deliver certain outcomes”. He is particularly concerned about the delay in coal investment…….
Abbott’s concern about coal mine approvals contrasts with the Coalition’s policy on renewable energy, where it has created enormous uncertainty and delay because of its insistence that the 20 per cent Renewable Energy target be reviewed yet again in 2014. That review will now occur because Labor chose not to put a proposal to push the review out to 2016, as recommended by the Climate Change Authority, to parliament.
Developers and financiers say few large scale projects are being approved while utilities retain the hope that their obligations under the large scale renewable energy target will be diluted. Financial parties will also not come to the party while that uncertainty remains and power purchase agreements are not written.
The Coalition has also vowed to scrap the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and has flagged new noise monitoring rules for wind farms and yet more inquiries into health impacts.
Abbott’s push for fast-tracking fossil projects came as a group of prominent Australians signed an open letter to the head of Australia’s big four banks calling on them to divest in fossil fuel projects to ensure global warming is not pushed past safe levels. Signatories to the letter included authors Peter Carey, Kate Grenville and J.M. Coetzee, musicians Mark Seymour and Paul Dempsey, ethicist Peter Singer, and Australian climate commissioner Professor Lesley Hughes.
The group asks the banks to place an immediate prohibition on loans for new fossil fuel projects and associated infrastructure, and for them to sell down stakes in coal and gas companies.
Abbott’s position, though, is consistent with that of the Republican Party in the US, which has responded to Barack Obama’s climate policies by calling for accelerated drilling programs that Climate Progress described as “Big Oil’s Christmas list”…….
The Greens also want the $10 billion set aside for the CEFC over five years to be trebled to $30 billion over 10 years, to drive the commercialisation of new technology and help the country catch up with other nations.
The policy measures were released as part of a new clean energy roadmap.
“Landmark research by the Australian Energy Market Operator, as well as independent academics, has clearly shown that a clean energy Australia is possible,” the document says.
“We can power Australia with the wind, sun, and water for a cost similar to replacing the ageing coal and gas plants that are nearing the end of their lives now. Renewables are getting cheaper while gas and coal plants will face increasing carbon pollution costs.” http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/abbott-to-fast-track-coal-mines-in-competition-for-ideas-53731
July 1, 2013 -
Posted by Christina Macpherson |
AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, election 2013
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Abbott to fast-track coal mines, in competition for ideas REneweconomy By Giles Parkinson on 1 July 2013 Tony Abbott has given his clearest indication yet that he intends to fast-track approval for large thermal coal mining projects, saying his new “one stop” shop for environmental approvals will ensure quick decisions on project approvals.
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