Antinuclear

A New South Wales energy conference devoted to coal and nuclear power

Re-Powering NSW 2016 Conference: As long as it is coal, gas and nuclear [good graphics] Independent Australia  27 October 2016 Lachlan Barker reports on the fossil-fuel-driven agenda of the NSW conference, Re-Powering NSW 2016, which concludes today.

THERE’S A conference currently on in NSW looking at the future of power supply in NSW.

Titled Re-Powering NSW 2016, at first glance one might have thought that this would be a sensible look at integrating greater percentages of renewable power into the NSW energy mix, however those thoughts quickly vanish once we took a close look at the program and see the rubbish being put up.

Clearly this logo [on original]  is out to create the impression that this conference is closely linked to the NSW Government.

This is not the case. In reality, it’s the fossil fuel mouthpieces who are running it.

However, since the NSW government of Mike Baird considers only gas and coal viable energy sources for NSW, the similarity of the logos doesn’t surprise. Nor would it be a surprise if we subsequently learn that a graphic designer working for the NSW Department of Resources and Energy did the artwork for the conference.

So to the conference program……..

Then on to the afternoon of day one, by which time, all pretence has gone and we learn that the true title of this conference should have been: How do we keep burning coal and gas so a small number of monopoly companies can retain their profit margins……

Kieran Donoghue and Miles George get to present their ideas. But before anyone can run away with the idea that genuine renewables are the answer, the panel is brought back to “normality” by hearing that if we want zero emissions, it has got to be nuclear……..

Anyone who has attended a conference like this will know that by the time Ed from Powershop and Iain from UNSW come on, it is winding down to the 5pm close of the conference, so the bulk of attendees will already have gone home. Those still there will be eyeing the bar and another “networking” session over a few glasses of ale.

There are some positive bits scattered here and there but, quite frankly, any conference that discusses the DICE engine, carbon capture and storage and nuclear power as even remotely serious options reinforces what the agenda of this conference was: only coal, gas and – I choke as I type – nuclear are viable options for power in NSW.

Sheesh (for the last time).

Lachlan Barker blogs at cyclonecharlie88.blogspot.com.au. You can follow him on Twitter at @cyclonecharlie8.   https://independentaustralia.net/environment/environment-display/re-powering-nsw-2016-conference-as-long-as-it-is-coal-gas-and-nuclear,9646

October 29, 2016 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News