Media Statement - 31st October 2007
Despite the desperate claims by some Ministers in the Howard Government, Labor’s 20 per cent renewable energy target poses no threat to our coal industry.
The biggest threat to the coal industry is the Howard Government’s plans for twenty five nuclear reactors across Australia.
Labor’s renewable energy target will deliver approximately half the new capacity needed to meet our growing energy demands out to 2020. Which means all existing capacity, including coal fired power stations, will be needed to meet future energy demands.
There will also be a need for new fossil fuel fired power stations that use advanced coal technologies and are built capture ready or with carbon capture installed.
The key to securing the future of Australia’s coal industry is the development and deployment of these clean coal technologies that can significantly lower greenhouse emissions from the use of coal. That is why Federal Labor has committed $500 million to bring forward the deployment of these technologies.
This commitment, matched by $1 billion from the coal industry, will fund research and demonstration projects necessary to commercialise full scale carbon capture technologies that can be applied to new and existing coal fired power stations.
Playing a leading international role in the development of clean coal technologies will help ensure the continuing economic viability of our coal mining industry and position Australia to export these technologies and expertise into a growing overseas market.
Labor’s commitment to clean coal contrasts with the Howard Government’s failure to invest in these technologies. Information provided by the Federal Department of Industry shows that the Howard Government has spent just $3.4 million to support the research and development of clean coal technologies (see Hansard attached).
For too long John Howard has denied that climate change was occurring and has failed to support the development of technologies that are vital to securing the future of Australia’s coal industry.
In contrast with its reluctance to support the future of the coal industry the Howard Government has been eager to push for the construction of twenty five nuclear reactors across the country. These reactors would potentially replace existing and future coal fired power stations.
The Howard Government has ensured that these nuclear reactors would also be eligible under its clean energy target, alongside wind and solar power. Which is why Dr Ziggy Switkowski, the head of the Government’s Nuclear Review has said this clean energy target is a “positive step for a future nuclear industry”.
According to modelling undertaken by McLennen Magasanik Associates for the Climate Institute, including nuclear power in a clean energy target could decrease the use of coal fired power by 20%[1].
At the coming election Australian’s face a stark choice between the clean coal and renewable energy future offered by a Rudd Labor Government and Mr Howard’s nuclear nation.
Senate Economics Legislation Committee
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON NOTICE
Industry, Tourism and Resources Portfolio
2006-07 Additional Budget Estimates Hearing
15 & 16 February 2007
AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: INDUSTRY, TOURISM AND RESOURCES
TOPIC: Departmental Funding for Clean Coal Technologies
REFERENCE: WRITTEN QUESTION
QUESTION No. AI-105
Senator EVANS asked:— For the years 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 (to date) can the Department provide the total funding provided for the purpose of research, development and demonstration of clean coal technologies? If this figure is different from the total of the amounts in the first question please explain discrepancy.
ANSWER
A total of $3.42m has been spent to date on research, development and demonstration of clean coal technologies. A further $2.27m has been allocated to the aforementioned Commercial Ready projects and we currently expect these payments will be completed by 2007-08.