Australia and China should collaborate on renewable energy
the renewable energy sector needs to be thinking more about how much they can strengthen their collaboration, where they position Australia better in a global low-carbon economy
China tipped to deliver Australia’s energy needs, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 20 Sept 10, By Sarah Clarke The WWF says Australia has the opportunity to ramp up its role in the booming renewable energy market. Continue reading
Hillary Clinton to Australia – to discuss “clean” ?nuclear energy
Clinton Sets Australia Visit, Thinking Australia, 20 Sept 10, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is to visit Australia in November for re-scheduled ministerial talks……There are many matters that are of mutual interest, from developing new technologies for clean energy to addressing climate change, halting nuclear proliferation, countering the threat of terrorism, and so much else”.Clinton Sets Australia Visit
Western Australia the logical place for Solar Power
The WA coalition argues that the state with the best solar radiation in Australia should be leading the country in solar generation and argues that a 5 per cent solar target for 2020, underpinned by an FiT set by auction, would unlock more than $4 billion of investment to install some 1060MW of capacity.
Solar’s western promise Business Spectator Giles Parkinson , 20 Sep 2010 The solar energy industry has virtually given up on the federal government providing a mechanism for the roll-out of utility-scale solar installations across the country, and is instead focusing its efforts on individual states. Continue reading
For Australia – renewable energy -YES, Martin Ferguson -NO
one key obstacle remaining: the energy minister. Martin Ferguson is not only ideologically opposed to climate action, to most kinds of renewable energy and to talking to the Greens, but he is also not a negotiator. He should be replaced in the portfolio with a more effective player who both supports action but will also be a good negotiator.
A good chance to push renewables, Green Left Weekly, September 18, 2010By Tim Hollo “…..This parliament can and should deliver the most exciting, ambitious renewable energy policies Australia has ever seen. The next two years may be the best opportunity for renewables we ever get, Continue reading
Competitive Solar Feed-In Tariff – Australian Capital Territory
The territory will be the first to implement the FiT for commercial premises (warehouse and office buildings), and anticipates that up to 240MW of solar could be installed, generating the equivalent of 25 per cent of its total energy consumption.
Solar’s western promise Business Spectator Giles Parkinson , 20 Sep 2010 “……Feed in tariffs for small-scale solar average around 45c per kilowatt hour (more expensive in some states), but the solar industry estimates competitive large-scale solar would only need a tariff of around 20c/kwh, decreasing over time. Continue reading
BHP Billiton’s Marius Kloppers’ strategy for uranium
Bear in mind too that BHP has its foot on the world’s biggest uranium deposit, at Olympic Dam in South Australia……..Olympic Dam, currently in the planning stages for a huge expansion, was key to BHP’s strategy to limit the impact of the resources rent tax and clearly it is central to its future energy strategy.
Kloppers plays strategic card by backing a carbon tax, Sydney Morning Herald, Ian Verrender, September 18, 2010 “……Kloppers is no fool. Quite the contrary. Softly spoken with an uncharacteristically lilting Afrikaans accent, the youthful head of BHP Billiton is a master strategist, not just when it comes to commerce and digging holes but in the not-so-gentle art of political persuasion…. Continue reading
Australia’s future prosperity depends on action on climate change
It is also important that climate change action is understood as an opportunity for structural economic reform and for building long-term economic prosperity….Early action delivers first-mover advantage and reduces the risk of economic exclusion in carbon-intensive industries when the transition to a lower carbon economy eventually takes place…..
Dear PM: risks are worth it in reform | The Australian, 18 Sept 10, David Hetherington “………..Although survival will be a preoccupation, the Gillard government cannot ignore the long-term policy challenges facing the country…. Continue reading
The plot thickens in promotion of Olympic Dam Uranium Mine
Last month the Australian government set up a Mines Tax policy team. It is led by Don Argus, former chairman of uranium miner BHP Billiton. Other members are former uranium company Rio Tinto executive David Klingner, Erica Smyth, chairman of uranium explorer Toro Energy.
So, Australia’s mining tax policy is guided by uranium mining representatives.
And now, in a bold statement in facvour of a carbon tax, BHP Billiton’s Chief Executice officer Marius Kloppers sets the scene for BHP to increase its influence over Australia’s government.
It all sounds so good. But note that, in supporting action on Climate change, Kloppers promotes “alternative” energies to take over from coal.
I’ll bet that “alternative” will turn out to be one of those words like “renewable” and “clean” that are applied to nuclear power. And all in such good timing, as BHP Billiton is desperate to get its Olympic Dam uranium mine expansion happening.
BHP’s Marius Kloppers accused of having “nuclear agenda”
Business Spectator, Sept 16 10, “……Liberal senator Cory Bernardi said Mr Kloppers was speaking out of self-interest because BHP Billiton was keen to pursue a nuclear agenda.”In sharemarket parlance, people talk up their own book and that’s what Mr Kloppers is doing,” he told Sky News, adding the resources giant’s chief executive officer was pushing alternative sources of energy such as uranium. Greens welcome Kloppers’ remarks | News | Business Spectator
BHP Billiton’s Marius Kloppers puts the case for carbon price
He noted that up to 90 percent of carbon emissions contributed by the countries electricity sector were largely caused by coal fired power stations across Australia as he asserted that we “will need to look beyond just coal towards the full spectrum of available energy solutions.”
BHP chief urges nation to look for alternatives in light of carbon price concerns – International Business Times, By Yumi Roxas | September 16, 2010 BHP chief urges nation to look for alternatives in light of carbon price concerns…… Continue reading
Australian Greens support BHP chief’s carbon price statement
Senator Brown said the businessman’s remarks legitimised the federal government’s promised climate change committee of MPs and experts that will work towards pricing carbon.
Greens welcome Kloppers’ remarks Business Spectator, 16 Sep 2010 BHP Billiton Ltd chief executive Marius Kloppers’ support for a carbon price is music to the ears of Australian Greens leader Bob Brown. Continue reading
World Bank waking up to the need for a new energy economy
“The biggest hurdle is we still don’t value financially the environmental and social damage we’re doing with our current fossil-fuel economy. The economist’s term for that is “the externalities” – the things we’re not including in our calculus. Everything from the negative impacts of floods, sea-level rise, drought….”
Signs of Energy at the World Bank – NYTimes.com September 14, 2010, By ANDREW C. REVKIN – quoting Daniel Kammen, chief technical specialist for renewable energy and energy efficiency at the World Bank…… Continue reading
Just a step to the Right – Australia’s new govt on environment
It’s a bit of a worry. No Education Ministry for Australia -( it’s as if education is just about training kids for jobs – not about an informed, creative minded society in all age groups). As for Environment, – tucked away in a new portfolio (Sustainable Population, Communities, Environment and Water) under Tony Burke. He could be good – we don’t yet know.
Meanwhile, higher in the Ministerial food chain, are Martin Ferguson, Minister for Resources and Energy and Greg Combet, Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. Combet was a coal engineer, degrees in mining engineering and economics.
Lurking in the wings, Bill Shorten, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation, a leader of the putsch that elevated Julia Gillard, and an ardent pro-nuclear advocate. – Christina Macpherson
Greg Combet, Australia’s new Climate Minister keen on coal
how we can achieve in the longer term things like carbon capture and storage for coal-fired power stations.”
New Australia climate minister backs coal – Sept 13 (Reuters) – Australia’s new climate change minister, Greg Combet, believes the country’s coal sector has a future under government policies, .. Continue reading
Queensland govt’s short-sighted vision on energy future
“The Bligh government is locking Queensland into an economy dominated by high dependence on fossil fuels, high greenhouse gas emissions and high payments on carbon credits,”
Carbon future will cost, activist says, Sydney Morning Herald, September 13, 2010 Queenslanders could be subsidising the renewable energy industries of China and India because the state government is locking itself into a future fuelled by fossil fuels, an environmental activist says. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Australians for War Powers Reform (AWPR)
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity
Antinuclear 