Hobart Mercury
Tuesday 13/1/2009 Page: 8
THE factory lights are on and Tasmanian industry is still at home as the global economic crisis drives many overseas manufacturers to the wall. So far, there has been no mass shutdown of industry in Tasmania. But the company that supplies electricity to our big manufacturers is keeping tabs on the situation as it enters what analysts predict will be a tough year.
Hydro Tasmania acting chief executive Lance Balcombe said the electricity generator had not seen a reduction in demand for power. "We are, however, mindful of the situation of some energy users and the impact the downturn may have on those businesses - particularly those with exposure to global markets." Mr Balcombe said. "We'll continue to monitor the situation and keep in contact with our customers."
Mr Balcombe said there were upsides in the current business climate. "The reduction in interest rates is benefiting our business." he said. But there were also negatives. "The falling Australian dollar may have an impact on our capital works program," he said. The cost of imported components rises in line with a devaluation of Australia's currency and this could result in projects being deferred. "However, we consider this to be an unlikely situation." Mr Balcombe said.
1 comments:
Of the money we have seen thrown around thus far let me ask you this, that 168 billion that our country borrowed to give away to us in the form of an "economic stimulus package" ...did it do a darn thing to create jobs or stimulate our economy? NO, nothing. And we borrowed the money from China.
This past year the high cost of gas nearly destroyed our economy and society. More people lost jobs and homes as a direct result of that than any other factor in our history.
Fannie and Freddie continue to get all the blame. Of all the homes I have seen lost in my area SW FL and believe me I have seen many, none were due to an adjustable mortgage. They were due to lack of work.
Families went broke at the pump alone. Then added to that most saw record rate hikes at their utility companies. The high cost of fuel resulted in higher production and shipping costs that were passed on to the consumer, in most cases higher prices for smaller packaging.
Consumers tightened their belts, cut back, went out to eat less or stopped totally. Drove around on tires that needed replacing longer, some even quit buying medicines they really need.Unfortunately cutting back and spending less results in even more layoffs. A real economical catch-22.
And, as we are doing the happy dance around the lower prices at the pumps OPEC is planning to cut production to raise prices. They are even getting Russia in on the cutbacks. Oil is finite. We have used up the easy to get to reserves already. It will run out one day.
We have so much available to us. Solar and Wind are free sources of energy. Of course to get the harnessing process set up is somewhat costly it is still free energy.
It would cost the equivalent of 60 cents per gallon to charge and drive an electric car. The electricity to charge the car could be generated by solar or wind at least in part and in most cases totally.
If all gasoline cars, trucks, and suv’s instead had plug-in electric drive trains, the amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of North Dakota. What a powerful resources we have neglected.
Jeff Wilson has a profound new book out called The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence Now. http://www.themanhattanprojectof2009.com Powerful, powerful book!
I think we need to rethink all these bailouts and stimulus packages. We need to use some of these billions to bail America out of it's dependence on foreign oil. Create clean cheap energy, create millions of badly needed new green collar jobs and get out from under the grip foreign oil has on us. What a win -win situation that would be for America at large
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