Sunday 1/6/2008 Page: 7
Queensland business is now encountering the direct effects of climate change regulation. The Clean Energy Bill was passed by State Parliament last month. It aims to boost the state's coal seam gas industry, promote the use of electricity powered by the sun and help make mining safer for workers. The Clean Energy Bill will immediately implement an energy conservation program for businesses that use a lot of energy. It plans to fast track the state's 13 percent gas scheme target to 15 percent by 2010 and kick start a solar energy bonus scheme.Part of the Bill also mandates mining companies must produce information about serious or fatal accidents. "Under our energy conservation plan, businesses that use a lot of electricity will be required to produce an energy savings plan and identify ways to reduce the amount of energy they use," Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said.
However, on the positive side, the Clean Energy Bill also paved the way for a new solar power bonus scheme in which households and small businesses would be paid 44 cents for every surplus kilowatt-hour fed into the electricity grid from solar power systems.
The move to boost coal seam gas use is aimed at not just the growth of 'greener' energy sources but also boosting economic development in the Surat Basin. "The coal seam gas industry is going full steam ahead in Queensland, due in no small part to our 13 percent gas scheme which requires electricity retailers to source at least 13 percent of their energy from gas-fired generation," Mr Wilson said.
"Under ClimateSmart 2050 we're increasing our target to 18 percent by 2020, but through these new laws we will fast track our target to reach 15 percent by 2010," Mr Wilson said. "The Surat Basin is set to rival the Bowen Basin as the state's economic powerhouse. Our gas scheme is an investment in people who live and work in towns like Miles, Dalby and Chinchilla."
www.dme.gld.gov.au
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