coldry benefits to victorian power supply, page-18

Brown coal future on the agenda

"A FORUM to discuss the future of the brown coal industry in the Latrobe Valley has heard the sector is still a crucial part of the region's economy.

The forum was told the Victorian community should re-educate itself about the transition to a low carbon future...

``We need to encourage support of new technologies to embrace and create new markets,'' Mr Nethercote said.

He said these technologies included coal drying, coal gasification, carbon capture and storage, coal to algae and other products, along with renewable energy and energy efficiency...

He said there needed to be a public education program about coal-fired electricity generators, particularly about increasing electricity prices.

``There needs to be an improved understanding outside the Latrobe region...and the increases in the cost of electricity have served to focus the wider community on the benefits and issues associated with brown coal,'' Mr Nethercote said.

http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/news/local/news/general/brown-coal-future-on-the-agenda/2024001.aspx?storypage=0