Speech to Gas Symposium

Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser spoke to an international audience about development of Queensland’s gas resources.

He put the case that in a relatively short period of time, the consensus on our government’s shepherding in of this industry will be regarded as the seminal economic event for our state of the first half of this century.

You can read the entire speech by clicking here.

I hope he is right but I fear that we are developing Coal Seam Gas reserves for Liquefied Natural Gas, at a rate that exceeds our ability to understand the impacts.

We really do not know the impacts of depressurising the aquifers, bringing shit loads of saline water to the surface and/or emitting shit loads of greenhouse gases.

The water may be used in agriculture, industry and/or domestic water supplies for remote communities but the quantity and quality of the product water is highly variable. Water from Coal Seams is not a guaranteed supply.

The water has to be treated. It contains salts and short chain (highly soluble) hydrocarbons. The treatment processes (microfiltration/desalination) are energy intensive. The waste streams (brine) are problematic.

We are still uncertain whether coal seam gas is any better than coal in terms of green house gas generation.

While I am not opposed to CSG, I would like to see the Qld Government force the CSG industry to take the time to do some pilot studies, gather some data & use #csg as a true transition fuel

Coal, Cars and Cows

The following Media release from the Qld Premier demonstrates the Qld Government's commitment to coal, cars and cows....

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction The Honourable Anna Bligh 13/12/2011

Queensland leading Australia on recycling power station emissions

Premier Anna Bligh today inspected an Australian-first project at Tarong Power Station which uses algae to absorb carbon emissions.

Ms Bligh said the Queensland Government had committed $1 million to Phase 1 of the project, which is underway at the South Burnett power station following successful trials of the new technology at a purpose-built pilot facility at James Cook University in Townsville.

"Here we have an example of Queensland innovation and scientific expertise being put to work in an Australian-first project," Ms Bligh said.

"It uses algae to soak up the carbon dioxide emissions from the coal-fired power station, and has the potential to enable a wide range of large emitters to reduce the amount of carbon they release into the atmosphere.

Under a process called Algal Synthesis, captured flue gases from the coal-fired power station are injected into waste water contained in long plastic membranes next to the station.

Algae then grow rapidly in the water, with the captured gases providing carbon dioxide and other nutrients, doubling in quantity every one to two days.

"The algae biomass is then used to make bio fuels which can be used to create valuable products such as livestock feed or oils for transport fuels.

"The search for reliable, affordable, commercial alternatives to oil is now a global effort, and Queensland is an increasingly important player.

"Renewable energy, CSG to LNG, and Bio Fuels are all part of securing a cleaner, greener future for Queensland.

"What's more they are securing our vision for Queensland as the Asia-Pacific hub for new energy sources," the Premier said.

Energy and Water utilities Minister Stephen Robertson said when fully operational, it is anticipated that per hectare per annum, the project will capture up to 700 tonnes of carbon dioxide, the equivalent of taking 170 cars off the road for a year.

"It is also expected to produce one tonne of algal biomass per day, 120 tonnes per annum of algal oil and 240 tonnes per annum of algal meal.

"The first stage of the one-hectare Tarong Power Station facility is complete, with earthworks finalised, most services connected and vertical growth columns for the algae installed. The project is scheduled to be fully commissioned in 2012."

Mr Robertson said the project was a joint initiative between MBD Energy Limited and Queensland Government-owned Stanwell Corporation Limited, the state's largest power generator.

"As Queensland is one of the biggest coal and gas mining and export regions of the world, the Bligh Government has a keen interest in ensuring that combustion of energy resources produce the lowest levels of atmospheric emissions possible," Mr Robertson said.

"I congratulate Stanwell and MBD Energy for working together on this pioneering project which is about testing and finding real solutions for the global challenge of excess industrial carbon emissions.

"As Water Utilities are part of my Ministerial portfolio responsibilities, I'm also very interested in the fact that this process developed by MBD Energy and its R&D team at James Cook University has the capacity to recycle waste water.

"MBD Energy expects to use the Tarong Power Station display plant as a blueprint for one or more potentially much larger projects that seek to recycle waste flue gases into algae biomass on a commercial scale.

"In order to protect local biodiversity, only strains of micro-algae local to Tarong Power Station have been selected for growing."

Stanwell Chief Executive Officer Helen Gluer said Tarong Power Station was proud to be the first coal-fired power station in Australia to test the technology as part of the MBD Energy trial.

"As an energy company, we are acutely aware of our environmental responsibilities and the need to manage emissions from coal-fired generation while meeting a growing demand for electricity," Ms Gluer said.

"Our partnership with MBD Energy to trial the use of algae to sequester carbon dioxide will yield valuable results to inform an ever-growing body of knowledge in this new and exciting sphere."

MBD Managing Director Andrew Lawson updated the Premier on construction progress during the visit and outlined plans for commissioning the facility and commencing extensive trials beginning next year.

"We will evaluate the system's efficiency in reducing CO₂ emissions and its potential to produce valuable products from the algae, such as livestock feed and oils for making transport fuels," Mr Lawson said.

"Our immediate focus is completion of construction, quickly bringing up production to design capacity and then running feed trials for cattle."

Sustainable Business Weekly QLD Edition [Electricity, Packaging, Compliance, Green & Red Tape]

Qld Electricity Review

An independent review of the QLD Government owned energy corporations has found Qld's electricity network has improved significantly in both security & reliability since it was last reviewed in 2004.

The review headed by Mr Darryl Somerville found network reliability improved 40 per cent over this time & that power outages are now significantly less frequent & shorter in duration.

Over $12 billion has been invested to improve the Qld’s electricity networks since the serious outages experienced prior to the review & in particular during the devastating 2004 storms.

The report also highlighted the importance of the work energy distributors are doing to meet the challenges of ever-increasing peak demand on the Qld network. The review identified a potential $1.5 billion in savings that ENERGEX & Ergon could implement over the current five-year regulatory period (just in time for the next State Election).

The two major areas in which savings can be made are changes to the way the network is planned & lower than forecast electricity demand. These savings will inevitably be passed on & will assist in easing future pressures on electricity bills.

Qld has apparently seen lower than expected electricity demand, perhaps due to the effects of the GFC & because of shifts in customer behaviour due to scare campaigns related to the Carbon Tax.

Packaging & Litter

State Ministers for Environment & Water are looking for feedback about packaging & litter waste.

The Standing Council on Environment & Water has released a Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) on Packaging Impacts for public comment.

The consultation considers options to improve resource recovery & reduce litter associated with a wide range of consumer packaging, including food wrappers & beverage containers.

The consultation provides the opportunity for an informed debate on options to address packaging waste. An extended consultation period over 16 weeks will allow for the Christmas & summer holidays. The Ministers acknowledged the important input of environment groups & industry groups (like ASBG) in formulating the 7 options in the consultation paper.

These options include container deposit schemes, industry-funded schemes that may be co-regulated under the Product Stewardship Act 2011 (Cwth) & nationally consistent Government initiatives.

The analysis includes a base case which recognises existing packaging recovery & litter reduction systems, including the long-standing South Australian container deposit scheme & the implementation of the Northern Territory container deposit scheme; the servicing of most Australian households by kerbside recycling; & the Australian Packaging Covenant. The Council recognised assessment of the costs and benefits of options has many dimensions & cannot be based on quantifiable matters alone.

DERM’s Compliance update

If environmental incidents are not addressed voluntarily by those responsible, the Department of Environment & Resource Management (DERM) may issue environmental protection orders (EPOs) under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 to ensure that environmental harm is prevented or minimised.

DERM’s Compliance alert 4/2011 includes three case studies demonstrating the significant legal and financial consequences of failing to comply with an EPO, as well as key messages on how to avoid enforcement action.

Red & GreenTape Reduction

The Greentape Reduction project has been established by the Qld Government to streamline, integrate and coordinate regulatory requirements under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act) without compromising environmental outcomes. The project will result in savings for business & government of $12.5m each year.

The Environmental Protection (Greentape Reduction) and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 was introduced into Parliament on 26 October 2011. The aim is to achieve key objectives of the Greentape Reduction project.

The Qld State Opposition (led by the Candidate for the seat of Ashgrove) is also targeting red (& green) tape that can be easily removed at no or low cost.

Already Mr Newman has announced that an LNP Government would dump Labor's waste tax & streamline real estate regulations.

One can also have one’s say by emailing suggestions to the Qld Opposition: cutredtape@lnpqld.org.au or join their conversation on Facebook. The results will be compiled & revealed in the new year.

Merry & sustainable Christmas

We wish you a Merry (& Sustainable Christmas). We are currently planning a number of Seminars, Workshops and a Carbon Conference for 2012.

We will kick off the year with a half day seminar on Compliance with Environmental Legislation.

We are also planning a half day seminar on embedding Sustainability into one’s supply chain.

Please let rowan@asbg.net.au know if you have any suggestions for future seminars or newsletter topics.

York's Hollow Chainsaw masacre

Dear Friends & neighbours,

Please find following link to some footage of the chainsaw massacre of a couple of Hoop Pines on Gilchrist Avenue this morning. This was filmed by the lovely Ms Natalie Bochenski (a journalist).

I spoke to Rayner and Teresa this morning just prior to them cutting the trees down.

Teresa assured me that TransCity had done everything possible to avoid removing the trees.

Had TransCity done everything possible, the trees would still be there.

regards,

Ro

its a gas [in pursuit of sunset industries]

The following press release from the Qld Premier, proudly pursuing sunset industries....

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction The Honourable Anna Bligh 06/12/2011

QUEENSLAND CENTRE OF THE WORLD ON CSG TO LNG ISSUES

Over 500 national and international delegates have begun arriving in Brisbane as Queensland becomes the centre of the world for the global gas industry this week.

The Queensland International Gas Symposium will act as a forum to discuss opportunities and challenges as Australia enters a "golden age" of gas development.

Delegates will hear presentations from a selection of global experts on the symposium's key themes: Demand and global market trends; Business and industry innovation; Encouraging investment; Environment and best practice regulation.

"This symposium will host a diverse range of speakers including Ian Cronshaw from the International Energy Agency in Paris to Dr Peter Stone, a CSIRO Director to Western Downs Mayor, Ray Brown," said Premier Anna Bligh.

"Over the next few days Brisbane and Queensland will be the centre of the world for the global gas industry just as we can be a global hub for this industry for decades to come."

Ms Bligh said leading resource companies and Queensland universities had championed cutting-edge research and development on key issues facing the CSG to LNG industry.

"Good environmental management and technological advancement go hand in hand with the best available science and research to underpin them," she said.

"Without these vital ingredients, Queensland's CSG to LNG industry would simply not be where it is today.

"Queensland is now not only leading the nation as an emerging LNG export hub for key markets in the Asia-Pacific region, we are also breaking new ground in research and development so we can develop the industry in a safe and sustainable manner.

"A lot of hard work has taken place to get the industry to where it is today. In a little over 12 months, we have seen three projects worth $45 billion achieve final investment decision.

"These are the largest CSG to LNG projects in the world and Queensland is a major international player as a result. The benefits we are creating from all this investment will be felt for many generations.

"This is a global industry that is creating a multitude of business opportunities, new community infrastructure, services and jobs for all Queenslanders and that is set to continue for many decades to come.

"Labor's Queensland Education Trust, which aims to use 50% of all LNG royalties to create education opportunities for young Queenslanders, is the perfect example of that in action."

The Queensland International Gas Symposium is being held at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre over the next two days.

Information about the symposium is available at: www.gas.business.qld.gov.au

NOTE: Resource writers and journalists wishing to cover the proceedings can access the media room by emailing:MEmediaunit@deedi.qld.gov.au

LNG industry buys off Gladstone

The folks of Gladstone are getting a trust fund, paid for by the LNG industry?

I wonder who will compensate the future generations it the soils are saline and/ot the Great Artesean Basin is not so great.....

See the Press release from Andrew Fraser that follows:

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade
The Honourable Andrew Fraser
03/12/2011

LNG industry contributes $13.5M to the Gladstone Foundation

Gladstone's major liquefied natural gas (LNG) players will contribute to a trust fund set up to boost social infrastructure across the booming region.

Three proponents - APLNG, QGC and GLNG - will collectively contribute $13.5 million; while Arrow Energy LNG has committed to provide further funding should its project receive Final Investment Decision approval.

Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade Andrew Fraser said the significant contribution to the Gladstone Foundation shows the willingness of the LNG industry to give back to the local community.

"The financial contribution from the LNG proponents builds on the already strong partnership between industry and all levels of government to build long-term social infrastructure for the community," Mr Fraser said.

"Already the Bligh Government has announced how it will use the proceeds of the LNG industry to form the Queensland Education Trust - a trust fund that takes the prosperity from this boom and use it to educate generations of Queensland kids into the future.

"The Gladstone Foundation helps the big private sector players based in this region build a legacy of new and improved infrastructure in the area.

"It's a wonderful gesture that will lead to real benefits in the region."

Speaking on behalf of the LNG companies, APLNG Chief Executive Officer Page Maxson said:

"Through the Gladstone Foundation, the benefits of the CSG-LNG industry will flow into the community and make an ongoing significant difference to the development of social infrastructure in and around Gladstone."

"We are pleased to be providing this funding in addition to the investment already made by the industry in the local community."

The Gladstone Foundation is a perpetual trust which will operate as a mechanism for managing and allocating industry contributions to benefit the community. An independent board of advice oversees the Foundation's operations.

Media contact: 3224 5982

Sustainable Business Weekly QLD Edition [CSG Senate Enquiry, Oil, PV, ALPNC]

CSG Senate Enquiry

A Senate committee has released an Interim report: the impact of mining coal seam gas on the management of the Murray Darling Basin. The report calls for a moratorium on future coal seam gas (CSG) projects in key parts of Qld, NSW & in the parts of the Murray-Darling Basin that lie over the Great Artesian Basin, pending Qld Government & scientific investigations into the impact on groundwater.

The report contains recommended measures that should be in place before any further production is approved including:

· a national regulatory framework should be established;

· comprehensive water management plans;

· gas production should be excluded from highly productive agricultural land;

· where the industries do co-exist, agricultural productivity should be given priority in any dispute between land holders & CSG companies.

The Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association believes many of the recommendations are already being addressed.

The Federal Government has 3 months to respond to the recommendations. The committee's final report is due in June 2012.

Oil Recycling

A new $30m Southern Oil Refineries (oil recycling) plant is to be built in Gladstone.

The plant will process waste lubricant oil from mining & agricultural machinery, transport vehicles & cars into usable lubricants. Construction of the refinery will commence in early 2012, with plans to be operational in 2013.

PV

A $6.76 Cloncurry Solar Farm project has been given a green light & $5.7m by the Qld State Government.

The Qld Government has named Ingenero Pty Ltd as preferred tender to design, build and operate a 2.128 MW solar farm at Cloncurry.

The Qld Government is progressing contractual negotiations with Ingenero to build & operate the solar farm on land close to the Cloncurry North electricity substation. The solar farm will comprise 7,600 polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic panels mounted on multiple rows at an angle of 25^o & facing due north.

These panels will generate approximately 3,700 MWhrs of electricity per year.

Weather permitting, the Cloncurry Solar farm should be completed in October 2012. The Cloncurry Solar Farm project is part of the Qld Government's commitment to make Qld the 'Solar State' & its ClimateQ strategy to address climate change.

Further information about Qld Government solar initiatives is available at: www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au

ALP National Conference

The Australian Labor Party (ALP) met for the 46th National Conference over the weekend to attempt to shape a new National Platform and to consider important reforms to the Party.

Former Senator John Faulkner told the conference: "Labor has had the courage to change Australia. Today we must find the courage to change ourselves."

The Liberal Party, the National Party & the Greens all have their own conferences, but no one tends to notice them. It is a little strange that Labor's biannual national get-together attracts so much attention.

The ALP National Conference ran from 2-4 December 2011. Each day there was policy forums covering policy issues from workplace relations in the iPhone age through to marine sanctuaries, new voices for social democracy and everything in between.

Emotions ran high during the debate over whether Labor should change its platform to support selling uranium to India.

Labor's Left faction has vowed not to give up its fight against uranium exports to India after the conference endorsed the Prime Minister's plan to lift the ban.

Several protesters were ejected from the conference for chanting anti-uranium mining slogans during Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese's address. Former lead singer of Midnight Oil Peter Garrett was not amongst them. The Member for Kingsford Smith made a passionate speech about Nuclear disarmament & the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty but he was ignored.

The Federal Government is now preparing negotiate an agreement with India to export Australian uranium

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act is one of the most fundamental tools for biodiversity protection available to the Federal Government.

Late last year, Federal Labor received the final report of Dr Allan Hawke’s review of the EPBC Act. Amongst other

things, this report recommends linking bioregional planning & strategic assessment to broader environment policy objectives, using environmental markets and offsets arrangements to achieve the desired level of conservation of our precious biodiversity.

The Federal Labor Government will consider the recommendations of the Hawke review carefully, to ensure that our national environmental laws are supporting efficient and effective environment protection and to facilitate sustainable development, while at the same time cutting red tape and increasing certainty for business. Labor will introduce new legislation into Parliament during their second term to implement any reforms identified to better achieve these objectives.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/35875307/A-Healthy-Environment