Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation launches investment, but Coalition opposes it
The Coalition has vowed to axe the CEFC, along with the carbon price.
It has also written to the corporation saying any contracts it signs will not be honoured by the Coalition if it forms government.
Clean Energy $100m deal gets Coalition cold shoulder http://www.theage.com.au/environment/clean-energy-100m-deal-gets-coalition-cold-shoulder-20130628-2p2q9.html#ixzz2XgCLAQWO June 29, 2013 Tom Arup Environment editor, The Age Australia’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation has launched its first investment, committing to a joint $100 million energy efficiency loan program with the Commonwealth Bank.
The deal sets up a stand-off with the Coalition which has vowed not to honour any contracts signed by the $10 billion corporation if it wins office later in the year.
The corporation’s chief executive, Oliver Yates, said on Friday it would co-finance loans for medium-sized businesses for energy efficiency projects such as energy saving lighting, solar panels, and cogeneration and trigeneration plants.
The CEFC and the Commonwealth Bank will each chip in $50 million to the program, which will hand out loans between $500,000 to $5 million. It builds on an existing scheme put in place by another government agency, Low Carbon Australia – now folded into the CEFC – which has so far delivered $10.2 million to projects in manufacturing firms.
The CEFC is also working on a number of other larger deals, and it is understood some could be introduced as early as next week. It is reportedly negotiating to help New Zealand company Meridian Energy increase its debt in the massive Victorian Macarthur wind farm with a $100 million-plus loan, before it sells its share in the project. Continue reading
Giles Parkinson on Kevin Rudd, renewable energy, and the carbon tax
Will Rudd get to axe the tax before Abbott? REneweconomy By Giles Parkinson 27 June 2013 Good luck guessing what the extraordinary drama played out in Canberra last night means for climate change and renewable energy policies in Australia. From a Starbucks café in the Mojave Desert, a short drive from the 392MW Ivanpah solar power tower project (an extraordinary sight that must represent Australia’s energy future, but more on that later), the events make as little sense as they would do from inside Parliament House. Or from inside the office of an investor contemplating putting money into new energy technologies…….
It’s pretty clear that the hung parliament may well remain the pinnacle of policy making in Australia, at least in the short term. The current suite of policies – carbon pricing, renewable energy target, the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency – make Australia one of the most attractive destinations in the world (were it not for the imminent threat of repeal).
The only thing missing has been a national energy efficiency plan, and a recognition by the states that it is time to move forward.
Now, the principal actors that made this possible are stepping back. Gillard has paid the price for the manner of her appointment, a poisoned chalice that was amplified by an intolerance of having a woman in the top job. Like many others, she saved her best for her resignation speech, when she was no longer a politician……eaves only Greens leader Christine Milne, who faces marginalisation if her party loses the balance of power. The prospect of that, though, will recede if Rudd succeeds in rescuing Labor’s electoral prospects, even if he doesn’t win. This would be disastrous for the renewable energy industry. The last time a Coalition government trod on renewable developments, the only thing that saved the industry were supportive state governments. They no longer exist.
Good climate change and renewables policies were put in place because of the tenacity of a few strong individuals willing to act on principle. That drove the factions and the mainstream media mad. The reaction of the factions was entirely predictable. The reaction of the media has been a crushing disappointment……. Quite where we go from here in the policy perspective is impossible to say. Rudd championed climate change in 2007 and got himself elected on the strength of it. But then he used it as a political wedge rather than a public policy pursuit. In the end his CPRS was an unsavoury compromise with the Opposition, and was ditched after pressure from Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan.
Rudd says now that he regrets the decision to dump his climate policies. But frankly, it is unclear whether Rudd sees that mostly in the prism of his own career or as a public policy issue. Renewable energy supporters would rather he didn’t keep saying “let’s get cooking with gas”…….
n the short term, however, most interest will be on the fate of the CEFC, and the numerous projects which are under consideration. An early election call – depending on the flow of events today – would mean that the caretaker period would start immediately, and the board of the CEFC would not be able to make any new decisions.
In the event of an Abbott victory, it would probably have to wait until after the election to make those announcements and continue on. It cannot stop work until its supporting legislation is repealed, and that is unlikely until next July. The CEFC is absolutely sure of its legality, but the rhetoric (and frankly the ignorance) of the Opposition might suggest some sort of challenge. But they may have other fish to fry. http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/will-rudd-get-to-axe-the-tax-before-abbott-24216
Compare policies between political parties on carbon, renewable energy
Environment policy: where the parties stand, ABC News 27 June 13 By Sarah Clarke and Andrew Greene “………What aspects do the major parties agree/disagree on?
Greenhouse gas emission reduction targets
Both ALP and the Coalition agree on the science of climate change, and have formally backed Australia’s emissions reduction target of 5 per cent by 2020. But there are some differences
- ALP: Committed to 5-25pc reduction on 2000 levels by 2020, based on the ambition of global agreement and 80pc reduction by 2050 which is in line with the UK and Germany. Signatory to second commitment period of Kyoto Protocol for 2020 reduction and intention to ratify.
- Coalition: Committed to the 5-25pc reduction on 2000 levels based on ambition of global agreement. Review in 2015 to consider longer term target in light of international agreement. Coalition has stated “in principle” support for second commitment period of Kyoto Protocol but no position on ratifications announced.
- Greens: Committed to 25-40pc reductions on 1990 levels by 2020, net zero emissions by 2050 and the second period of the Kyoto Protocol. Continue reading
Warren H Williams a strong Greens contender for Northern Territory Senate seat
He nominated land rights, protecting the land and the Greens’ opposition to uranium mining as a reason he wanted to represent the party.The Greens will announce Mr Williams along with other senate candidates in Canberra on WednesdayCountry singer challenges Peris in Senate race http://www.crookwellgazette.com.au/story/1597432/country-singer-challenges-peris-in-senate-race/?cs=12 By Heath Aston June 26, 2013,
The Greens will seek to capitalise on bad blood over the shafting of veteran Labor senator Trish Crossin by running Aboriginal country singer, Warren H Williams, in the Northern Territory senate race.Mr Williams, a multiple ARIA award winner and a major star in the Top End an the country music scene, will take on political novice Nova Peris for the one winnable seat for the progressive side of politics. Continue reading
Australia’s opposition Liberal Coalition in confusion about climate change
Green energy helps reduce power bills, study finds June 25, 2013 The Age Peter Hannam Carbon economy editor “…….Maurice Newman, the chairman of the opposition’s proposed business advisory council, wants the target dumped because he does not accept climate change science and says renewable energy is pushing up prices.
Liberal senator Chris Bach and Nationals senator Ron Boswell spoke at an anti-wind farm rally in Canberra last week.
Senator Boswell said aid to the wind and solar energy sector was “fraudulent” and that leader Tony Abbott would face mounting pressure to alter the legislation.
Coalition climate action spokesman Greg Hunt said last week that the Coalition continued to back the policy.
“We support the Renewable Energy Target and we support the 20 per cent,” he said…..”.http://www.theage.com.au/business/carbon-economy/green-energy-helps-reduce-power-bills-study-finds-20130625-2ou3e.html#ixzz2XMBA2zNU
Australians increasingly support carbon tax, despite Abbott’s claims
Abbott is out of touch on carbon tax uknowispeaksense, From the Climate Institute, June 23, 2013
A national poll from early June reveals that there is no support for the claim that the Federal election is a referendum on the carbon laws. It also shows that more Australians oppose a double dissolution on the laws than support one, said The Climate Institute today.
“The carbon laws themselves are not a dominant reason behind those supporting the Coalition, nor is there majority support for their repeal or a double dissolution, ” said John Connor, CEO of The Climate Institute.
“The claim that this election is a ‘referendum on the carbon tax’ is without foundation. Issues of economic management, trust and competence are much stronger influences behind the Coalition vote.”…..
Key findings include: Continue reading
Democratic process stops the uranium mining rush into Woomera area
Senate slows deal to give mineral explorers access to Defence’s Woomera testing grounds Adelaide Now, CHRISTOPHER RUSSELL Business Editor June 21, 2013 “…..Laws to keep Defence as the prime user and controller of access to Woomera Prohibited Area but giving certainty to mineral explorers were this week shunted into a Senate committee inquiry after earlier clearing the Lower House with bipartisan support.
The Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade committee now will seek new public submissions on the pact, which had been negotiated over several years between industry, government and Defence following an inquiry by former public servant Allan Hawke.
The committee is only due to report back on August 20, just weeks before the federal election. That means the reform Bill will lapse and have to await being reintroduced by the next Federal Government……..
Greens MP Adam Bandt said his party was “absolutely opposed to mining uranium” and also had concerns about Aboriginal issues.SA Senator David Fawcett said it was quite appropriate for the Bill to go to a committee inquiry and it should not be rushed.”If it’s not dealt with this week – and clearly it won’t be – it’ll be an issue for whoever forms government after September,” he said.
Senator Fawcett, who came to politics from a military career which included working in Woomera, said the area was crucial to Defence testing.
“Just because we have a State Government and mining lobby who are saying let’s go on with it, I don’t see that – short of a national emergency – we should be circumventing the democratic process,” he said…… http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/business/sa-business-journal/senate-slows-deal-to-give-mineral-explorers-access-to-defence8217s-woomera-testing-grounds/story-e6fredel-1226667870070
AUDIO: Julian Assange speaks about whistleblower Edward Snowden
AUDIO http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/assange-wikileaks/4770642 Assange says Snowden leaks will boost Senate election chances 21 June 2013 Matt O’Neil It’s one year since Julian Assange sought asylum in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London to avoid extradition to Sweden. But the controversial WikiLeaks founder says he has a bigger battle to fight—his bid for the Australian Senate is building momentum, and he hopes recent leaks about government surveillance will bolster his party’s message…..
‘We now have a regime of secret deals between a national security agency and major organisations like Google and Microsoft and Apple.’
Speaking with Fran Kelly on RNBreakfast, Assange said that America’s surveillance policies ‘affect all Australians’—and he believes Canberra has a lot to answer for. ‘How are they involved in this? Does the Australian Government swap that information? Is the Australian Government using that information from the US government?’
‘All of that is being kept secret, and it’s completely unacceptable. What kind of world are we drifting into where we have a transnational surveillance apparatus, [with] different rules for people in that apparatus compared to the rest of society. It’s very dangerous.’ Continue reading
Tony Abbott’s program for killing renewable energy in Australia
here are the five ways that an Abbott Government could kill renewables:
- Can the Carbon price:…… taking away the carbon price also increases the risk around investment in any sort of generation – be it fossil fuel or renewable. So, perversely, it will probably help increase the cost of electricity.
- Can or dilute the Renewable Energy Target …
- Can the Climate Change Authority…..
- Can the Clean Energy Finance Corporation….
- Cut funding to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency….. It would be an appalling step backwards.
Five ways Abbott could kill renewables in Australia, REneweconomy, By Giles Parkinson 21 June 2013 Apparently, one of the few areas of bipartisan agreement in the heated politics of this country is in the area of renewables. Both major parties – Labor and the Coalition – say they support the 20 per cent renewable target, but it doesn’t actually mean what it says.
Indeed, Tony Abbott may well want to have his photo taken next to a wind farm (well, maybe not), or a solar array in the lead up to the election. Behind the scenes, however, he is under intense pressure to pull them down. Continue reading
Successful pro wind energy rallies in Canberra
Wind taken out of protesters’ sails in Canberra Independent Australia 19 June 13 Callum Davidson and deputy editor Sandi Keane report from Melbourne and Canberra on a tale of two cities and three rallies — or rather two and a sorry fizzer. THE GLOVES CAME OFF today in Melbourne in the phony war waged against wind farms whilst in Canberra, the pro-renewables rally stole the show from the shadowy anti-wind pressure group, Stop These Things.
Morten Albaek, Senior Vice-President, Vestas Wind Systems, chose Australia, the hotbed of anti-wind activity, to launch its fight against the campaign by vested interests and climate skeptics:
“The wind industry is being attacked by media-savvy and politically influential adversaries who often display a brazen disregard for factual information. The “Act on Facts” campaign is our way of fighting back.”
Speaking at the University of Melbourne today, Albaek said the industry has been too conservative:
“Today it’s gloves off. We’re stepping up our game to fight back but with one big difference — it will be fact-based.”
An impressive line-up of speakers including the master debunker of the mythical “Wind Turbine Syndrome”, Professor Simon Chapman, attracted a large crowd of enthusiastic renewables supporters. Chapman’s reading of the public mood that the community is no longer buying the fear campaign was certainly played out in Canberra, as Callum Davidson’s photos show. In the capital, a lackluster turnout of barely one hundred protesters emerged from the heavy morning fog and filed onto the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra. They came from Crookwell, Mudgee, Yass and a few stalwarts from Western Australia and far North Queensland. Their slogans carried the same gripe: no more windfarms.
Headlining this event was the staunchly anti-windfarm and vocal climate change skeptic, Alan Jones. The popular shockjock announced his unwavering support for their cause:…..http://www.independentaustralia.net/2013/politics/wind-taken-out-of-protesters-sails-in-canberra/
Solar Scorecard and also the Politicians’ Solar Survey
Solar Scorecard – Australian MP ‘Renewable Energy Ranking’ http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3798 19 June 13 A new 
web site helps Australians determine where local politicians stand on issues relating to renewable energy and provides information on the progress of the solar revolution in each electorate.
Solar Scorecard provides a detailed breakdown of what each federal politician is (or isn’t) doing to support a range of renewable energy policies and incorporates information on the number of solar 
homes in each Member’s electorate. Politicians are allocated either a sun, an emerging sun or a cloud according to their stance on each of 8 criteria. Where a ‘?’ is assigned, this indicates the MP’s stance on the issue is not yet known.
As part of the project, all politicians have been invited to respond to a solar survey by Monday 1 July to clarify their position on renewable energy issues.
100% Renewable is also sending an electorate-by-electorate Australian solar energy information resource called “solar briefers” to every Federal politician across the country; which includes the number of households in each electorate that have invested in solar, as well as data on their collective carbon dioxide emissions and energy bill savings.
Solar Scorecard is a project of 100% Renewable, a community campaign for clean energy. Lindsay Soutar, National Director of 100% Renewable, says while polls show voters support a transition to renewable energy, the support of some politicians is shaky.
“That’s why we have developed these two resources. So that our politicians understand the scale of the transformation under way, and they understand that Australians want this transformation to happen.” Ms Soutar says Australians need politicians to stand up to the companies that have controlled Australian energy for so long, to ensure that Australians can continue to take power back into their own hands, and so that Australia can make the most of its abundant renewable resources.
Together, we can make sure that no matter who wins on September 14th, renewable energy wins as well.”
Senator NIck Xenophon missing amongst anti wind political stars
Wind taken out of protesters’ sails in Canberra Independent Australia 19 June 13 Callum Davidson and deputy editor Sandi Keane report from Melbourne and Canberra on a tale of two cities and three rallies — or rather two and a sorry fizzer “…….Other speakers at the event included a few rogue MPs – Liberal Senator Chris Back and retiring National Senator, Ron Boswell, DLP Senator John Madigan – as well as local Indigeneous elder, Shane Mortimer, and Alan Moran of Australia’s climate skeptic factory, the Institute of Public Affairs. The much-touted Nick Xenophon was nowhere to be seen having made his non-appearance decision quite clear yesterday on his Facebook. Seems Independent Australia was one of the few in the media who bothered to check. Organisers of the antis, Stop These Things, didn’t and still trumpeted his attendance on its website. That’s the problem when you’re so secretive. No-one knows how to contact you. Senator Xenophon’s media adviser, Sharon Smith, certainly didn’t know who Stop These Things were, who funded them or where they were based when she spoke to Independent Australia earlier in the week….http://www.independentaustralia.net/2013/politics/wind-taken-out-of-protesters-sails-in-canberra/
National Party Senator Boswell says wind and solar power are a fraud
Huff and puff as Alan Jones leads wind farm protest, SMH, June 18, 2013 – Heath Aston “……Mr Jones said if there was no health risk posed by turbines, they should be put on Parramatta Road or outside his apartment on Macquarie Street, Sydney…….The protest group, drawn mainly from concerned resident groups from country NSW, held placards including, “we are wind refugees” and “stop the spin”.
There were differing views between individual protesters and some of the speakers. A woman held a placard behind Queensland senator Ron Boswell urging “yes solar, no wind farms”.
At the same time, senator Boswell was lambasting “fraudulent” renewables of all kinds. “The world belongs to those who turn up and today you have turned up and you are going to make your opposition to this fraudulent wind, solar power, renewable energy … heard,” he said.
Senator Boswell, a National Party member, called the 20 per cent renewable energy target, which the Coalition is committed to along with Labor, as “ridiculous”. “The wind farms only work 30 per cent of the time, but when you really need the power, in the peak periods, it’s only about eight per cent of the time. So it doesn’t work. In anyone’s language it is just a fraud,” he said.
Organisers of the event included Max Rheese of the Australian Environment Foundation, a front group for the right-aligned, climate sceptic Institute of Public Affairs. A pro-wind rally held in Canberra’s city centre at the same time drew a larger crowd of up to 500, according to organisers.
Greens leader Christine Milne said the party wanted to see a “100 per cent renewable” target as soon as possible.”What is extraordinary is wind farm sickness only affects people who speak English. How come the Danes, Spanish and Germans don’t suffer from wind farm sickness?” she asked.”The renewable industry is providing a solution to greenhouse gas emissions as well as providing new jobs, new industries and giving a better future for our children.” http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/huff-and-puff-as-alan-jones-leads-wind-farm-protest-20130618-2ogd5.html#ixzz2WdkyD6PU
Property Council of South Australia’s Nathan Paine,Theo Maras, Chris Burns push for importing nuclear waste
Christina Macpherson, 15 June 13, In 1980, Senator Jean Melzer warned about Australia becoming “the quarry and waste dump of the world” . The Australian Labor Party soon got rid of her. In 2007 Kevin Rudd came into power as Labor appeared to be opposing a nuclear waste dumping industry in Australia.
You might think that this nuclear waste importing idea has gone away. But it never did. And Australia has a global agreement that could swing it into action faster than you can swing a cat – the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation(IFNEC)
You might think that this noxious idea is not getting any support from the Australian public.
If so – you thought wrong.
In South Australia, the Property Council of SA, and several businessmen with more dollars in their eyes, than brains in their heads, are now pushing that same old nuclear barrow.
Here’s how they were reported in Adelaide Now today: “Some also call for the development of a domestic nuclear power sector that Property Council of SA executive director Nathan Paine predicts could turn us into the “Dubai of Asia”….
He said: “You’d almost be able to give every South Australian … when they turn 18, a cheque for $50,000 and a house.”……
, Mr Burns said SA should develop a nuclear sector. He said: “What we’ve got unique resources for in this state are for nuclear energy. We have the resources in the ground; we should be digging it up and processing it. Never sell it, only lease it and bring it back here to bury it. I think that’s the industry for the state.”
SA has 40 per cent of the world’s known uranium reserves. Mr Maras said if the government championed a nuclear industry, business would soon come on board…..
They even want South Australia’s “mums and dads” to invest in developing such ideas in the We’re for Jobs in SA campaign
The Solar Scorecard gives you the renewable energy position of your local Member of Parliament
http://www.solarscorecard.org.au/ The Solar Scorecard lets you find out where your local politicians stand on renewable energy. Use it to help make sure that no matter who wins the election on September 14th, renewable energy wins as well.
ABOUT THE SOLAR SCORECARD Solar energy is on the agenda this election year. With one and a half million Solar Homes across the country Australians are turning to the sun. We’ve developed the Solar Score Card so you can see where your MP stands and how they compare on key solar criteria.
The Solar Score Card has been put together by 100% Renewable, an Australian community campaign for a sustainable future. The scorecard is designed as a tool for those on the ground. That means you! You can compare MPs across parties and electorates to see who’s looking forward and who’s looking back. Even better you’ll be able take the Scorcard to your MP and show them what they’re getting right and what they’re getting wrong.
Each MP has a profile complete with scores on 7 key criteria and one wildcard. The wildcard is their chance to shine, or not. If you know of something wonderful or disastrous your MP has done for solar in Australia leave a comment and let us know!
1 This month.
20 September –National Day of Action in Melbourne on the International Day of Peace
Help Aunty Sue Protect Her Land and Sacred Sites From Destructive Rocket Testing.
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Australians deserve the truth
about
AUKUS – https://aukuspublicinquiry.com/
PETITION – To: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Government
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 