Tony Abbott attacks NEG as ‘seriously bad policy’ ahead of Coalition party room vote
Pro-coal backbencher Tony Abbott has launched a final attack on the National Energy Guarantee ahead of today’s critical coalition NEG party room vote. The “seriously bad policy” will surrender control to the “green bureaucrats of Paris”, the former Prime Minister told 2GB. He insists the NEG should follow voluntary rather than mandatory emission targets. His […]
Teachers Union says classrooms sweltering as Queensland’s solar schools program kicks off
The Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) is calling for school term dates to be shifted as the state government begins tendering for the solar schools program. According to QTU president Kevin Bates, a chronic lack of air-conditioning across the sunshine state’s schools is making summer classrooms unbearable. Because air-conditioning is expensive, terms could be shifted to […]
COAG Energy Council approves Coalition’s National Energy Guarantee
State and territory energy ministers have today agreed to support the National Energy Guarantee (NEG). The COAG Energy Council met in Sydney to decide the fate of the policy. The Turnbull Government says the NEG is needed to reduce power bills and stabilise the electricity market. Ministers agreed to the release of the exposure draft […]
Could solar powered hydrogen fuel be Australia’s next big export?
Two hydrogen powered cars using ultra-high purity hydrogen were tested in Queensland yesterday with impressive results. The hydrogen fuel was produced using CSIRO’s breakthrough membrane technology. The technology makes it safer to transport hydrogen as well as cheaper. The process generates zero carbon emissions. Toyota spokesperson Matthew Macleod told ABC News the membrane was a “game changer” […]
Solar installations in low income housing will help residents pay power bills: sustainability expert
An expert in sustainable building design says better insulation and more low income housing solar installations would benefit residents. Professor Paul Cooper, director of the University of Wollongong Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, was speaking at the National Forum on Low Carbon Housing for Low Income Households yesterday. Cooper told The Fifth Estate that there are […]
Clean Energy Council: NEG can work, but it needs a higher emissions reduction target
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has released a statement in support of the Turnbull Government’s National Energy Guarantee (NEG). However, that support is conditional on one important change to the policy: that its carbon emissions reduction target is increased. The CEC says the market will achieve the current NEG target of 26 per cent by 2030 […]
Gladstone Power Station: We will operate beyond 2029
According to a report in The Observer, the operators of Queensland’s Gladstone Power Station are denying predictions the plant will close in 2029. The forecast of Gladstone’s closure came from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) in its Integrated System Plan released last month. However, the 1,680 MW coal-fired station’s general manager, Chuck Mason, is adamant […]
New electric vehicle charging station puts Glen Innes on the map
A new Glen Innes electric vehicle charging station has put the town on the map – literally. Glen Innes Severn Shire Council has installed two charging bays behind its visitor centre in consultation with charging specialists EVolution. The New England town is now on the national charging station map. The Tesla Owners Club of Australia released the […]
Australians say no to National Energy Guarantee emissions target
The majority of Australians have said no to the National Energy Guarantee emissions target. A poll commissioned by Greenpeace shows 70 per cent of Australians want the government to set an ambitious renewable energy target to help put downward pressure on electricity prices. The Reachtel phone poll, conducted July 30, asked 3,999 Australians their views […]
Josh Frydenberg says states are ‘politicking and posturing’ on National Energy Guarantee
Josh Frydenberg has described the Labor states’ demands for National Energy Guarantee changes as “politicking and posturing”. The Federal Energy Minister was responding to a demand from Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio that the Coalition party room vote on the NEG before states approve it. The ACT, Northern Territory and Queensland governments have also voiced concerns […]
