Friendly policies keep US oil and coal afloat far more than we thought.
Most energy subsidies go not to renewables but to producing more of the dirty stuff.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1251925125133581027
Today’s Celebration
Army & Navy Day Azerbaijan
Columbus Day Dominican Republic
Dia de Communidad Spain
Independence Day Uganda
Independence of Guayaquil Day Ecuador
National Dignity Day Peru
Leif Erikson Day United States of America
Native American Day United States of America
Han’Gul / Korean Alphabet Day South Korea
World Post Day http://www.un.org/en/events/postday/
National Hat Day http://hatday.com.au/
Fair Food Week http://fairfoodweek.org.au/
Fire Prevention Week http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week
Mental Health Week http://www.mentalhealthvic.org.au/
Haemophilia Awareness Week and Red Cake Day http://www.haemophilia.org.au/
More about Oct 9 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_9
Climate Change
Time to produce climate evidence
Rowan Dean
IT’S time so-called climate scientists provided evidence that the climate is being changed by carbon dioxide emissions or admit it’s a hoax.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/time-for-climate-scientists-to-produce-evidence-that-carbon-dioxide-emissions-affect-climate/news-story/ef170a7fec1638cf691887df6bb26d3a
National
Rethink on clean energy target
The government is rethinking the need for a Clean Energy Target, because the falling cost of renewables means subsidies may no longer be warranted.
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/coalition-rethinks-need-for-clean-energy-target-as-renewable-cost-plunges-20171008-gywjfc
Shorten to call for electricity market overhaul to favour consumers over generators
Opposition leader hints at big changes under a future Labor government and says households should be encouraged to generate their own power
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/oct/09/shorten-to-call-for-electricity-market-overhaul-to-favour-consumers-over-generators
Industry pushing for CET
Businesses want the federal government to adopt the clean energy target recommended in the Finkel Review.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/industry-pushes-for-clean-energy-target/news-story/aaad1fc9508f48d2033e616d9e213cb6
Nobel prize but PM has no time
Melbourne doctor Tilman Ruff might have helped initiate a global movement awarded the Nobel Peace Prize but the PM is too busy for him.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/nobel-prize-but-pm-has-no-time-for-peaceniks/news-story/af8dce045f7f2f92bbea7e072fceca5e
Domestic shortfall hits AGL
Company says controversial 2015 gas supply deal was made because it didn’t foresee problems that now have it studying a new import plan.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/agl-says-hazelwood-closure-changed-everything/news-story/5db63f57bfb6280607167d153f49bb6e
Defence admits three-year delay in warning of toxic foam danger
The Department of Defence admits it should have warned the public about a chemical contamination scandal three years earlier than it did — and says the cost to taxpayers to clean up the problem nation-wide will be hundreds of millions of dollars.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-09/defence-admits-delay-in-informing-residents-of-contamination/9027706
Energy fix key to Frydenberg’s future
Jennifer Hewett
http://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/fixing-the-energy-crisis-is-key-to-josh-frydenbergs-future-20171007-gywelk
Victoria
Libs’ royalty plan to ease energy price pain
LAND-OWNERS who allow conventional gas drilling on their properties would get a share of state royalty payments under a Coalition plan to ease energy price pain.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/matthew-guys-royalty-plan-to-ease-energy-price-pain/news-story/b46600046094678484b1296dd2335b72
Victorians want more electric-powered cars
VICTORIAN motorists are embracing electric-powered car technology, raising questions of when the government might phase out petrol or diesel sales.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/survey-shows-strong-victorian-support-for-electricpowered-cars-automated-technology/news-story/113844112106f30193304dc31e9ca81f
More bike-share schemes eye Melb
THINK there are plenty of oBikes around? Well, Melbourne may soon have a whole lot more bikes as three new share schemes eye off our city.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/more-bikeshare-operators-eye-melbourne/news-story/48a8ebc00f004163cbce303125932ecc
Andrews has gas supply by halves
Daniel Andrews says there’s no gas supply problem but the energy market regulator begs to differ.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/victoria-faces-50-per-cent-gas-supply-fall-by-2021-despite-claims/news-story/fe7942006bd97ec90393b145ff3bab57
Nobel prize winner’s dream could kill us
Andrew Bolt
THIS year’s Nobel Peace Prize has gone to an anti-nuke group with a dream that could get us killed. Someone should award the Nobel Committee a prize for stupidity
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-bolt/andrew-bolt-nobel-peace-prize-winners-antinuke-dream-could-get-us-killed/news-story/d2e839a49829dd86c8a493e6e00949a2
Trains need a smarter focus
Herald Sun editorial
MELBOURNE’S beleaguered public transport system is in dire need of more services and an increased capacity.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/melbourne-trains-need-a-smarter-focus/news-story/cdbb3f488a76ade5003ce6e455ac84bb
New South Wales
Red flags raised on potential Transurban purchase of WestConnex
http://www.afr.com/business/red-flags-raised-on-potential-transurban-purchase-of-westconnex-20171005-gyuo99
AGL’s Liddell plan ‘likely not going to cut it’
http://www.afr.com/business/energy/electricity/agl-energys-plan-to-replace-liddell-may-fail-to-win-over-canberra-20171007-gywf3u
Newcrest eyes solar power as power prices soar
http://www.afr.com/business/mining/gold/newcrest-mining-looks-to-solar-at-cadia-mine-as-power-prices-soar-20171008-gywlxv
Sydneysiders in revolt over development as two thirds declare the city is ‘full’
http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/sydneysiders-in-revolt-over-development-as-two-thirds-declare-the-city-is-full-20171008-gywl1c.html
Berejiklian to extend coalmine
NSW will move to overturn a court decision blocking a major underground coalmine to avert greater pressure on power prices.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/berejiklian-moves-to-avert-power-crisis/news-story/cc731960f9fa17a8cdf425fc5f61f37d
Government must not lose its nerve
Telegraph editorial
During the early 1920s, when construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge began, our city’s entire population was fewer than one million people — about merely one-fifth of our current size.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-government-must-not-lose-its-nerve/news-story/af4bc768745e5794e0130c6ac3ae5b64
Queensland
Croc sightings soar on to poll radar
QUEENSLAND crocodile sightings have soared by more than 38 per cent, with reports they are moving into areas traditionally thought to be croc free.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/management-of-killer-crocodiles-surfaces-as-a-poll-flashpoint/news-story/90257c6a35c12977505d68914f5c0335
Consumer power needed on fuel
AUSTRALIAN Competition and Consumer Commission chief Rod Sims has one word for Brisbane’s fuel price cycle. He says it’s “baffling” and can find no rhyme nor reason for it.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/editorial-watchdog-describes-brisbanes-fuel-cycle-as-baffling/news-story/bdfb1c3bd742213e7c277f470171e827
Surge in billing gripes
WHAT has caused a huge increase in the amount of complaints about Ergon Energy?
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/ergon-energy-billing-complaints-have-risen-significantly-during-past-five-years/news-story/00343c258489f3066fce2c6903cdd1da
Derelict vessels a safety hazard
DERELICT boats left to rust and rot in Trinity Inlet are still being gradually removed as authorities continue the fight against cyclone hazards and water pollution. The most recent one was a fortnight ago.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/numbers-in-on-derelict-boats-hauled-from-trinity-inlet-graveyard/news-story/c6195756d57c26078dbf647cc756eb11
Slow progress on key $12 million Queensland climate change policy
http://www.smh.com.au/queensland/slow-progress-on-12-million-climate-change-beach-erosion-projects-20171008-p4ywcm.html
Minister did not resign over tree-clearing dispute: Trad
http://www.smh.com.au/queensland/minister-did-not-resign-over-tree-clearing-dispute-trad-20171008-p4ywck.html
New plan unveils how South Bank Parklands could grow in the next 25 years
http://www.smh.com.au/queensland/new-plan-unveils-how-south-bank-parklands-could-grow-in-the-next-25-years-20171008-p4ywci.html
Gas supply turbulence looming
Queensland’s gas exports rose to a three-month high last month, despite pressure from the PM to redirect gas.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/gas-turbulence-ahead-as-supplies-vary/news-story/ca3f3a034374678ef60a6a5648688320
Stop bulldozing our state’s future
Lyndon Schneiders
AS THE government pays billions to encourage a reduction in deforestation, Queensland is becoming a global hotspot for land clearing, with a devastating impact on wildlife, rivers and the Great Barrier Reef.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-massive-land-clearing-in-queensland-bad-news-for-future-of-wildlife-environment-and-industry/news-story/72b28966714f7d76fe1da61dbe658ddd
South Australia
Port Augusta solar plant gets green light
EUROPEAN energy giant Enel has received final approval for a $400 million solar farm on the outskirts of Port Augusta, the second huge solar project pledged in the area.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/european-energy-giant-enel-to-build-400m-solar-plant-in-port-augusta/news-story/94dfb0cd80ae97e2a373bad8e2f894ed
Labor bid to power up solar profits
A QUARTER of Australian households could receive a cash surge under Labor’s plan to encourage people to sell power back to the grid.
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/shorten-announces-new-energy-policies-at-energy-summit/news-story/c381441e979ba9429e1ee4ce1bfe08f9
Tasmania
Artificial nests airlifted to boost shy albatross breeding
The shy albatross is listed as a vulnerable species, with warming climate blamed for undermining their nests, but Tasmanian scientists have come up with a creative solution proving popular with the birds
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-08/artificial-nests-help-shy-albatross-breed-on-tasmanian-island/9027926
Land back to Aboriginal ownership
Land on the West Coast with immense cultural and environmental value has returned to Aboriginal owneship.
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4973423/land-back-to-aboriginal-ownership/?cs=95
Greens launch wombat policy
The policy for wombat mange has long and short-term goals
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4972892/greens-launch-wombat-policy/?cs=95
Sea birds using artificial nests
Some vulnerable sea birds have found new homes.
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4973221/sea-birds-using-artificial-nests-photos-video/?cs=95
State’s dumping issues
TASMANIA has a waste and recycling dumping problem on the scale of Queensland because of low to none landfill levies, an industry participant claims.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/politics/tasmania-has-a-widespread-waste-and-recycling-dumping-problem-senate-inquiry-told/news-story/c1c7c3e67373416ecdb2fbbc36b27dcb
Holding out for renewables policy
Lisa Singh
IT’S been nearly a decade of watching the conservatives in politics tear themselves apart over renewable energy, but recently it became absolute madness.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/holding-out-for-renewables-policy/news-story/ee690fa4b3f7d5c6be0912f5e911f492
Northern Territory
NT Indigenous leaders tell PM to back off over fracking
Indigenous leaders from across the Northern Territory are calling on the Gunner Government to not give in to pressure from the Prime Minister by overturning its fracking moratorium.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-08/nt-indigenous-leaders-tell-pm-to-back-off-over-fracking/9027012
‘Little champion’ weevils with big appetite helping NT waterways
Weevils might be best known for attacking pantry shelves, but in Kakadu National Park a weevil with an insatiable appetite for waterway-smothering plant salvinia is proving a critical weapon in combatting the weed.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-08/weevils-fighting-salvinia-weed-in-nt-kakudu-national-park/9023768
Sustainability
Energy revolution to drive M&A: report
Consolidation in the energy sector is set to drive M&A activity around the world, according to an international law firm.
https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/22034-energy-revolution-to-drive-m-a-report
Friendly policies keep US oil and coal afloat far more than we thought.
Most energy subsidies go not to renewables but to producing more of the dirty stuff.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/1251925125133581027
The eco guide to disposing of litter
It’s time the responsibility for recycling was laid firmly at the door of the packaging manufacturers
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/08/the-eco-guide-to-disposing-of-litter
Nature Conservation
Fatal extraction: how demand for hippos’ teeth is threatening them with extinction
The black market’s insatiable demand for ivory has turned poachers’ attention away from well-protected elephants to more vulnerable hippos
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/shortcuts/2017/oct/08/fatal-extraction-how-hippos-are-threatened-with-extinction
Maelor Himbury