Posts filed under ‘Victorian Government’
What does a white paper, a green premier and a yellow government have in common?
Taking Action one report at a time
The Brumby government recently released its Climate Change White Paper, The Action Plan, to much fanfare and praise. Media outlets lauded the plan with headlines like “Brumby lays down gauntlet on carbon” and “Premier’s bold plan on climate takes lead”. Yet those with long memories may well remember another Victorian labor climate announcement that was also the toast of the town.
Back in June 2002 the Bracks government unveiled its Victorian Greenhouse Strategy (VGS). Media releases of the time promised that the strategy would “reduce Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions by five to eight million tonnes by 2010”. It would “position Victoria to prosper in a future carbon constrained economy” and “a number of drivers are now in place that will lead to an increased take-up… in the renewable energy sector over the next decade”.
In 2002 our total emissions were 120.5 million tonnes (Mt). The most recent data from the government shows in 2008 that the State’s emissions were 119 Mt and in 2006 were at an all time high of 126 Mt. That’s a long way from the promises laid down in the VGS. (more…)
A new coal fired power station for Victoria?
Premier Brumby must be an unhappy man right now. Less than two months after he announces his commitment to reduce Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, Chinese owned company HRL fronts up to the Environment Protection Authority asking for it to approve their ‘syngas’ coal fired power station in Morwell in the La Trobe valley.
For Brumby, kicking the coal habit is seeming a hard thing to do
The HRL proposal has been on the table for years and the Victorian government has committed $50 million to the project. Officially it’s clean coal technology, because the power station will burn natural gas to turn brown coal into synthetic gas. (more…)
