Australia’s big banks promote coal, not renewables
“While they spend a huge amount of time and money creating an image of sustainability and environmental concern, they are quietly using billions of dollars of Australians’ money to pollute our future,”
Greenpeace slams banks for greenwashing, Brisbane Times, October 11, 2010 – Australia’s big four banks financed more than $5 billion worth of coal projects in the past five years while promoting their green credentials, a report commissioned by Greenpeace has found.
The environmental lobby says the ANZ, National Australia, Commonwealth and Westpac banks loaned more than six times the amount of money to coal mining, power stations and exporting than to renewable energy projects……”While they spend a huge amount of time and money creating an image of sustainability and environmental concern, they are quietly using billions of dollars of Australians’ money to pollute our future,” Greenpeace’s John Hepburn said……
Mr Hepburn said there were 12 new coal power stations in the pipeline for Australia, that if built, would increase the nation’s emissions by seven per cent.
“Whether or not they are built depends largely on the big four banks,” he said.
“They need to put their money where their mouth is and not lock future generations into this dirty form of power.”
Broadcast Australia goes renewable energy
A 15kW wind turbine was installed, along with a 5kW solar power system. Surplus generated electricity is stored in two banks of deep cycle batteries, providing a total of 5800 amp hour storage; enough to provide full power autonomy for two days….The Broadcast Australia network covers approximately 580 transmission sites located throughout the metropolitan, regional and rural areas of Australia.
Broadcast Australia Powers Site With Wind And Solar Energy : Renewable Energy News, 7 Oct 10, Broadcast Australia has upgraded a broadcast transmission site in Tasmania to be powered by renewable energy. Continue reading
Nuclear power is not “emission free’ – Canadian ruling
The Advertising Standards Canada, the
organisation which regulates the Canadian advertising industry, ruled earlier this year that claims of nuclear power being ‘emission free’ made in adverts by the Power Workers’ Union ‘were inaccurate, unsupported, and misleading’. The Union was told to remove its ads.
‘Emission free’ nuclear power is more greenwash | Greenpeace International, 7 Oct 10,
We’ve discussed before on Nuclear Reaction the nuclear industry’s attempts to greenwash nuclear power by rebranding it ‘clean’. It’s a description of this most contaminating of energy sources that nuclear boosters are pushing more and more in the debate about the future of nuclear power. Continue reading
Australian govt can use carbon pricing to provide renewable energy infrastructure
The construction of new renewable energy grid infrastructure is one example of an investment-centred measure. Expanded electricity grid infrastructure would open up renewable resources for sustainable development and help overcome a non-market barrier to clean energy deployment……
The Gillard government and those in the parliament who support effective action on climate change can use carbon-pricing legislation to secure funding for an ambitious nation-building climate policy agenda.
Want to stop climate change? Move beyond carbon pricing, Rooted, Leigh Ewbank, October 7, 2010 by Crikey: Continue reading
Ontario closes coal plants with private investment in renewables
Ontario’s Government Showcases Wind And Solar Power Projects : Renewable Energy News, 4 Oct 10,”……. in the province of Ontario, solid headway is being made in renewable energy, Continue reading
A negative thought for Australian solar energy industry
The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union is urging government incentives to promote Australian solar panel makers. Sounds good – BUT – as things stand now, such a plan would also indirectly promote the nuclear industry (ANSTO’s baby)
Call to foster local solar panel makers Ben Cubby, Sydney Morning Herald, October 2, 2010The main beneficiary of the union’s plan would be SilexSolar, a subsidiary of a nuclear energy research company, “……. which bought a photovoltaic manufacturing plant at Homebush from BP Solar last year, after BP decided to source its panels from China.The factory turns out less than 100 megawatts worth of panels a year, though that still makes it the largest in the southern hemisphere…” Call to foster Australian solar panel makers
A positive thought for Australian solar energy industry
”We have got a chance to get in at the start of a major new growth industry, and we have the smarts to make it work if the government signals that it will support local manufacturers.”
Call to foster local solar panel makers, Ben Cubby, Sydney Morning Herald, October 2, 2010 Australian solar panel makers are calling for industry protection to slow down a flood of cheap panels being manufactured in China, as the NSW government reviews its solar tariff scheme. Continue reading
Clean Energy Storage Law boosts renewable energy
California lawmakers have passed Energy Storage Bill California Enacts Energy Storage Bill | SmartMeters.com 1 Oct 10, The landmark legislation requires electric utilities to adopt energy storage technologies, making it easier to incorporate renewable energy sources into the state’s electric grid. Integrating energy storage technology will allow California’s electric distribution system to meet and accommodate the daily fluctuations of energy demand. In addition, increasing energy storage capacity is expected to help promote intermittent energy sources like wind and solar power and contribute to an overall more reliable smart grid. California Enacts Energy Storage Bill | SmartMeters.com™ The Smart Meter News Portal
Australian business can reduce costs through energy efficiencies, solar cooling
Such systems are relatively inexpensive (they don’t require large pieces of infrastructure), yet they can realise quite dramatic energy savings, whilst allowing business as usual….Solar cooling using heat from the sun as an energy source which can be used to generate cool air for use in buildings.
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESSES Business Review, 1 Oct 10, As well as renewable energy generation, businesses can make dramatic emissions and cost reductions through energy efficiency measures. Continue reading
Developing Renewable Energy in Australia
The Future of Renewable Technologies – Business News – Dr Jim Smitham, 1 Oct 10, If Australia is to mitigate climate change, we will need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity and transport fuels by finding ways to harness our clean, renewable resources like the sun and wind. Continue reading
Carbon tax could fund a renewable energy Australia
by investing the revenue raised by taxing carbon emissions (or fossil fuels) in renewable energy and clean technology research, development, demonstration and deployment…establish a National Clean Technology Fund.
Carbon tax could be the ticket for a greener Australia › (ABC Environment) by Leigh Ewbank. 27 Sept 10, “……The Gillard government’s new cross-party Climate Change Committee aims to spearhead carbon-pricing legislation in the next term. Continue reading
Glowing world forecast from International Renewable Energy Agency
there could be 50 per cent renewable energy in the energy mix by 2050. There were double digit growth rates for photovoltaic and wind over the last years and 60 per cent of new capacity in Europe come from renewable energy. Pelosse said, 85 countries are with policy targets and other 75 countries with feed-in tariffs.
Renewable energy sector may have 20m new jobs, Khaleej Times 28 September 2010 ABU DHABI — Renewable energy sector around the world will have some 20 million new job opportunities by 2030, said Helene Pelosse, interim Director- General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Continue reading
Australian govt in the grip of uranium industry
Mining tax policy overseers – Don Argus (from BHP Billiton), Keith Spence, (from Rio Tinto) , Toro Energy Erica Smyth, (from Toro Energy).
Climate adviser – Marius Kloppers (BHP Billiton)
Minister for Energy Martin Ferguson – hand in glove with uranium industry
Minister for Climate Change – Greg Combet, coal engineer background, supporter of coal industry
Uranium mining advocates oversee Australia’s tax policy
The high-ranking group, headed up by Resources Minister Martin Ferguson and former BHP chairman Don Argus, will consult with industry groups and hopes to have at least a couple of key issues resolved by the end of the year…..
Mining chiefs to advise minister on mineral resources tax | The Australian September 20, 2010 THE policy transition group overseeing the government’s mineral resources rent tax has met for the first time in Canberra today. Continue reading
Uranium interests, not the public’s, served by BHP’s Marius Kloppers
A tax would favour international nuclear electricity generators and boost pressure to overturn Australia’s ban on nuclear generators. Both effects would aid BHP’s uranium interests.
BHP Billiton chief Marius Kloppers knows how to look after his shareholders’ interests, Paul Kerin The Australian, September 20, 2010 BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers’ touting of a carbon tax serves his shareholders’ interests — not the public’s. Continue reading
1 This month
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of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
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