dont play politics with our energy future

An extraordinary joint statement by APPEA, the Australian Industry Group, the Clean Energy Council and Energy Supply Association of Australia.

How often have these peak industry groups issued a joint statement? Politics, NIMBYism, fundamentalism has affected not only CSG but renewable sources like wind farms.

Time for a politician someone, somewhere, anywhere in Australia to rise up and LEAD for us all. Because this coalition of industry groups feels there is a crisis coming.

Don't play politics with Australia's energy future
Thursday 14 March 2013

Reliable, affordable and sustainable energy supplies are crucial to economic growth and prosperity. Without enough energy, we risk higher prices and shortages. We also risk losing the opportunity to increase employment and grow major new wealth creating export markets.

The Australian Industry Group, the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, the Clean Energy Council and the Energy Supply Association of Australia are concerned that non-evidence based policies which are restricting the development of new energy sources may have significant negative consequences for the broader Australian community.

To meet local - and global - demand, government planning policies need to support new energy development. This must include support for established low emission technologies such as natural gas, wind and solar and emerging technologies such as marine, solar thermal and geothermal.

Sound, consistent and realistic regulations for energy project development are the key to ensuring a safe, reliable and affordable energy supply, and building a sustainable energy sector to meet our future needs.

Recent arbitrary policies to impose ‘set backs’ have impacted on both renewable and traditional energy projects. These policies have been implemented with minimal consultation and with little consideration of the impacts and costs they will have on the broader Australian economy and community.

For example, there is little discussion about: the $2 billion rise in energy costs or the implications for future energy supply as a direct result of the NSW Government’s decision to severely restrict natural gas exploration in that state; or the $3 billion in avoided economic activity associated with the set back policy in place for wind farms in Victoria. Importantly also, the most severe consequence of restricting energy production over the long term – blackouts – is little spoken of.

The energy industry remains committed to consulting with and informing Australians about energy projects, the latest technologies and energy efficiency. As well, we are committed to maintaining the highest safety and environmental standards on our developments.

We cannot risk ignoring the growing demand for energy both here in Australia and from around the world. More supply will keep energy as cheap as possible, maintain reliability, and drive economic growth and jobs, particularly in regional Australia.

Knee jerk policies continue to undermine the development of energy projects within this country. This comes at a real cost – and this cost is borne by the Australian community, in jobs, in economic growth and ultimately higher energy bills.

Australia’s energy supply is just too important to be put at risk with politics and poor policy.

Media enquiries:
Ai Group: Tony Melville, tel: (02) 6233 0700.

Copy of letter sent to State and Federal ministers and shadows to jointly urge a more supportive approach to the development of Australia’s energy resources:

13 March 2013

SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AUSTRALIA’S ENERGY RESOURCES

Energy is critical to Australia’s economy, whether as a valuable export or an essential input to industry, households and sustainable development. Stakeholders in many sectors have become increasingly concerned at the spread of restrictions on the development of new energy resources of all sorts.

The Commonwealth and the States face real community disquiet in relation to energy development. These worries can and should be addressed. However, the restrictions that are being imposed have not been underpinned by adequate evidence or consultation, and threaten serious consequences for the economy and Australians’ quality of life.

As representatives of a wide range of energy users and energy suppliers, the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association, the Clean Energy Council and the Energy Supply Association of Australia have come together to express our concerns through a joint statement, attached to this letter.

We believe it is urgent that all governments take the wider consequences for energy affordability, security and sustainability into account when considering planning and development.

We look forward to discussing these matters with you. For further information, please contact Australian Industry Group adviser Tennant Reed at [email protected] or on 03 9867 0145.

We have written in similar terms to all COAG First Ministers, Energy and Planning Ministers, and to Shadow Ministers.

Yours sincerely,