When will the greens learn that they are now in a position of power and have to make decisions that have tangible consequences...
..and when will the Australian public learn that their vote counts; and voting for an environmental party that could have passed a carbon trading plan (only it wasnt eXtreme enough) yet did nothing, is a stupid thing to do :)
THE Australian Pipeline Industry Association has rubbished the New South Wales Greens stand against Eastern Star Gas? proposed Newcastle liquefied natural gas export terminal as nonsense and out of touch with Australia?s energy industry.
?Such a terminal or CSG-LNG export hub at Newcastle would provide benefits to New South Wales and the nation, with increasing demand for gas internationally bringing greater interest in Australia?s natural gas reserves,? APIA chief executive Cheryl Cartwright said.
She added international interest in reducing emissions would see increasing demand for gas to replace coal for power generation.
Greens MP and mining spokesperson Cate Faehrmann had said ESG?s plans highlighted the rapid expansion of the CSG industry, despite inadequate regulations to protect NSW from the risks.
?The export hub makes a mockery of industry claims that coal seam gas will reduce New South Wales? reliance on coal. The only way to reduce our carbon emissions from energy generation is to fast track investment in renewable,? she said.
This stance on renewable was also criticised by Cartwright, who said it was time the Greens acknowledged that not only was gas cleaner burning than coal, renewable energy would still need gas as a back-up fuel during peak demand or when the wind or sun was not available.
?Natural gas has a long-term role in Australia?s energy mix. There is a critical need to reduce carbon emissions from energy generation in the short term, and the Greens? rejection of any options other than renewables is foolish. Renewables do not currently provide baseload power. They do not provide peaking power. There are no well-developed, economic plans for renewables to do either.?
Cartwright added Australia could quickly adjust and meet its 2020 emissions reduction target by converting existing coal-fired power stations to natural gas.
APIA?s comments have perhaps a tinge of irony. As recently as October last year, the pipeline group had suggested the influence of the Greens in Australia?s government could actually be good news for gas.
It noted then the Greens determination to introduce a price on carbon could assist gas by forcing coal-fired generators to switch to gas in an effort to meet emissions requirements.
ESG Price at posting:
82.5¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
