Australia waits for political action on energy future
Like many Australians, I am fed up with this ridiculous election. As I write, we all wait for the three Independents to decide on which political party will form government today.
At least, the Independents have surprised us in areas such as support for renewable energy, and climate change action.
With the success of the Greens in the election, some hope for action appears –
perhaps not until July 2011, when the nine Greens will take their places in the Senate.
One wonders how much harm the nuclear/fossil fuel lobby can achieve through their servant parties, before July 2011
Renewable energy investment surging in China
“The sector has strong growth potential given that the Chinese government policy is clearly supportive,“……with the needs for energy security and energy demand from countries like China, the move to renewables is unstoppable, and you’re increasingly seeing renewable energy companies that are good value,”
China Goes Green, Keeps Bankers and Investors Busy – WSJ.com. By NISHA GOPALAN, 6 Sept 10, Propelled in part by the backing of powerful Beijing bureaucrats, green-themed Chinese companies are set to reap billions of dollars from public offerings to new investors in coming months…. Continue reading
Carbon price essential for Australia, say 19 Energy Retailors
19 Australian Energy Retailers Back A Carbon Price : Renewable Energy News, 6 Sept 10, The Clean Energy Council has released an open letter signed by nineteen of Australia’s major energy retailers – the letter also reminds us these companies are major employers and supporters of renewable energy projects in regional Australia – which says that a carbon price is essential to meeting our emissions reduction target of 5 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020……
“We welcome and congratulate the role the independents are taking in ensuring climate change policy remains on the radar of the major political parties,” Mr Warren said. “Renewable energy is also great for rural and regional Australia – it will create growth, greater economic diversity and help drought-proof farms and regions.”The open letter can be viewed here (PDF)
19 Australian Energy Retailers Back A Carbon Price : Renewable Energy News
Queensland’s economic development groups want ‘clean energy corridor’
Member for Kennedy Bob Katter, one of the kingmaker Independents deciding who will form government, has put high on his priority list securing support for a ‘clean energy corridor’ of climate-friendly solar, wind and other zero-emission power plants between Townsville and Mount Isa.
North Queensland considers gas plants vs clean energy link for Mt Isa region * Kerrie Sinclair The Courier-Mail September 06, 2010 THE power play in Canberra may also determine the future of power generation in Queensland’s northwest. Continue reading
Australia should follow the successes in Europe with a carbon tax
It is to be hoped the discussion will soon turn from the rather nebulous concept of a carbon price to actual mechanisms – and for that the most appropriate tool is a carbon tax.
No need to be afraid of a tax on carbon, Sydney Morning Herald, Fiona Armstrong, September 4, 2010 – The most significant policy issue in the deal struck between the Australian Greens and the Australian Labor Party was that of climate policy. Continue reading
Australians can cut power bills with solar hot water subsidies
hot water accounts for 25 per cent of energy consumption, so switching to renewable energy can cut power bills dramatically.
Half not aware of hot water subsidies * Paul Cleary * The Australian * September 03, 2010 1 FEWER than one in two Australians are aware of the government subsidies available to install energy-saving hot water products. Continue reading
Australia’s future economy – non nuclear, non uranium – theme for September
It’s time for Australia to see through the nuclear hype, and move towards 21st Century industries that have a real future.
Australia’s ‘resources boom’ cannot last indefinitely, and already threatens this country with an imbalance of industries. Australia needs to foster its more permanent industries – they will still be there when the mining quarries are emptied.
Mineral exports are at present a large contributor to the Australian economy, but there is no reliance on uranium, which is only a modest contributor.
Australia pioneered renewable energy technologies, and could lead again in these industries.
Meanwhile uranium mining and nuclear waste are negatives for Australia’s tourism industry, Australia’s agriculture, and our precious fresh water and groundwater.
It’s time to promote Australia as a clever, forward-looking society, and to see through the lobbying of desperate corporations and their propaganda for the ailing, aging, out-dated nuclear industry.
Energy efficiency and renewable technologies can combine beautifully with Australia’s needs to conserve water, promote agriculture, and to adapt to climate change, which is already happening in Australia.
For example – drought areas offer the potential for solar farms. Australia’s hot weather makes decentralised solar power a very economic option for homes, farms, schools, small and large businesses
As ‘nuclear renaissance’ founders, nuke company moves to wind energy
Exelon’s actions often foreshadow where the energy industry is headed…..the momentum for the much-touted nuclear renaissance has slowed to a crawl
(USA) What Exelon’s Wind Energy Buy Means For the Future of Nuclear Power, BNET, By Kirsten Korosec | September 1, 2010 Exelon (EXC) announced this week it was buying John Deere Renewables for as much as $900 million, a purchase that marks the company’s entrance into the wind generation business and suggests its lack of confidence in a nuclear energy renaissance. Continue reading
Compulsory acquistion of Aboriginal land; gas now, uranium later?
“What I say to the Premier is be very careful about setting precedents like this, they can do more damage that you can ever imagine. I think compulsorily acquisition is, in a sense, another act of colonialism, it’s another theft of our land, it’s another invasion. It should never ever be contemplated at a political level….
Compulsory acquisition ‘theft’ of land, ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 2 Sept 10 Indigenous academic Mick Dodson has delivered a warning to the WA Premier, describing compulsory acquisition of land for the Kimberley gas hub as theft and an invasion. Continue reading
Lord Stern advises Independents on economics of Climate Change
Act on climate or be left behind, says Stern, Sydney Morning Herald, Tom Arup, September 2, 2010, ONE of the world’s leading climate change experts, Sir Nicholas Stern, has warned countries such as Australia will face future trade barriers unless it moves to a low-carbon economy. Continue reading
Australia urged to get with California’s R20 Climate Group
Details of the R20 will be launched at a Global Climate Summit in November along with a ”green bank,” backed by the United Nations Development Program, to help participating governments fund low carbon development.
Act on climate or be left behind, says Stern, Sydney Morning Herald, Tom Arup, September 2, 2010, “……..Terry Tamminen, the climate adviser to the Californian Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is in Melbourne to address a business conference. Continue reading
Australian govt cover up of radioactive gases from Lucas Heights nuclear reactor
Despite all the scientific evidence that these gas plumes are dangerous, the Australian government continues to maintain that the plumes were not harmful to the public
Australia’s Radiation Cover Up, The Intel Hub, August 30, 2010 By Michelle Jones On November 3, 2006, in Lucas Heights Australia, OPAL, the Open Pool Australian Light-Water Reactor was throttled to full power. There was grave opposition to this $400 million science research/nuclear facility, Continue reading
USA fossil fuel energy use decrease, renewables increase
(USA) Hey kids, we used less energy and more renewable tech in 2009! | ZDNet, By Heather Clancy | August 30, 2010, Well, here’s a refreshing bit of news for a Monday afternoon: A new data set released by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory reports that we used a lot less coal and petroleum last year, compared with 2008. Meanwhile, there were demonstrable increases in the use of renewable energy sources, especially generation systems based on wind technologies.
The researchers attribute the decrease in coal and petroleum use to lower electricity demand, a shift to natural gas as a fuel source, and wind power production offsets……Hey kids, we used less energy and more renewable tech in 2009! | ZDNet
Climate change denialists’ aggressive politics in Australia
[Tony Abbott] A champion of voters who reject climate change, he has turbocharged his party and could within a couple of weeks be prime minister.
Aggression pays in king hits on Labor, Sydney Morning Herald, Shaun Carney, 28 Aug 2010, CLIMATE change can be a killer. This has nothing to do with the science and everything to do with its impact on political leaders. Look at the list of those who have felt its sting in the past three years: John Howard, Brendan Nelson, Malcolm Turnbull, Kevin Rudd. And Julia Gillard…… Continue reading
Victorian energy company award winner
The company has set its goals high – to become the leading solar supply and install business in Australia and to play its part in ensuring all Australians have access to a cleaner, greener electricity supply
Energy Matters A Melbourne Awards Winner : Renewable Energy News, 30 Aug 2010, In a gala ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday night, Victoria-based national solar company Energy Matters emerged a winner in the Melbourne Awards. Continue reading
1 This month
of the week – Disrupting War & Militarism in Oceania. Active solidarity. Radical practice.
Antinuclear 