the case for coal seam gas, page-11

The way that the New South Wales Government has banned coal seam gas development is unsound policymaking,
irrespective of merit or lack of merit.
The decision was made behind closed doors, with no transparency and no consultation.
Energy policymaking affects everyone. Important policy decisions affecting the future of an industry should not be
made at political level before due process is complete.
Energy policymaking requires an open, transparent and trusted process where key stakeholders are identified and
consulted, where they are provided with adequate information and where they have the opportunity of presenting their
views.
In the case of coal seam gas, due process should have started with an independent expert report, not a belated
request to the state’s chief scientist to look into it.
This does not just apply to coal seam gas. The policymaking problem is the same with shale gas and questions about
hydraulic fracturing techniques. So too with carbon sequestration and fears of carbon dioxide escaping after it has
been injected underground.
It is also the same with wind power development and concerns about the effect of noise. Remember the health
concerns about power transmission and electromagnetic fields?
The problem will be the same when we eventually get around to considering the serious need for nuclear power as a
source of low-emissions, base load electricity. Public health and safety is of course paramount but politicians have no
monopoly on wisdom or technical expertise.
There is a better way of formulating sound energy policy. It must start with an open, consultative process.
In addressing serious issues relating to public health and safety, and protection of the natural environment, the
community does not have a great degree of trust in decisions that are made opaquely.

Even when a policy decision is soundly based on accepted science, it will not always make everyone happy. This is
why due process is so important in this day and age.
Most people will never meet their elected parliamentary representatives but, when it comes to serious and
controversial issues of technical difficulty confronting an important industry, they should at least be assured of a
process they can trust.

Is it not time to consider the need for a National Energy Commission to address these major issues?