FReepmail me to get on or off
Ping me if you find one I've missed.
They'll regret this... Just ask Spain..
Posted on 08/19/2009 3:49:31 AM PDT by myknowledge
Wind farms and solar panels are set to take over Australia after politicians agreed on a historic deal to boost clean energy.
Labor and the coalition struck the deal in a rare moment of cooperation that has sparked hopes they can agree on another controversial environmental issue - emissions trading.
The surprise love-in on renewable energy led to an unusual day in parliament, with the major parties being nice to each other.
The federal government's key election promise to have 20 per cent of electricity come from renewable sources by 2020 is now a done deal.
Called the Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme, it's the government's second-biggest climate change plan, after emissions trading. The troubled emissions trading scheme (ETS) was voted down by the opposition last week.
The RET will see renewable energy generation more than double over the coming decade.
Investors have dozens of plans for new wind farms ready to go as soon as the RET comes into force.
It will also mean a new rebate for rooftop solar panels of up to $7,750.
And it will boost investment in "hot rocks" electricity from geothermal sources, and tidal and wave technologies.
The RET will cost households about 80 cents a week, which will be added to electricity bills.
The scheme works by forcing electricity retailers to buy a portion of their electricity from renewable sources. This costs more than coal-fired power and the extra cost is passed through to consumers.
The big winner is the renewable sector, which will earn credits, which translates as cash.
Political heavyweights from Labor and the Liberals met at Parliament House on Tuesday night and thrashed out the deal. It's expected to pass parliament on Thursday.
The amended RET is much more business-friendly, exempting more industries from having to pay for it. This means households will pick up more of the tab. The scheme will cost up to $1.1 billion a year.
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong praised her opponents after the deal was announced.
"I thank the opposition for their engagement on this issue and their negotiation with the government," Senator Wong said.
"It's a good outcome. Twenty per cent renewable energy by 2020. But also it is the delivery of a Rudd government election commitment."
Opposition climate change spokesman Greg Hunt was equally polite, saying the deal was "a victory for commonsense and a victory for the environment".
The deal on renewable energy shows the government and opposition can work together on climate change.
The ETS will be put before the parliament again in November, and there is speculation a similar compromise deal could be struck.
Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull called on the government to negotiate afresh over the ETS.
"The government should now adopt the same commonsense in negotiating for its proposed emissions trading scheme," Mr Turnbull said.
Opposition emissions trading spokesman Andrew Robb said the renewable deal was "a good sign" for the ETS negotiations.
Labor and the coalition were smiling after Wednesday's deal but the Australian Greens weren't.
The changes to the RET will see many more industries exempted from between 60 and 90 per cent of the cost of the scheme.
Food processing companies may also be exempted. And electric water heaters and solar hot water heaters will be included in the RET - even though they do not generate electricity from renewable sources.
As previously announced, electricity from coal gas will earn rewards under the RET, although it is not renewable.
Greens senator Christine Milne criticised the government for Wednesday's "dirty deal".
"The government has chosen to reward the opposition for their bad behaviour and sandbag polluters even further," she said.
I wish Australia went nuclear with nuke power plants years ago. Now my home country has fallen under the 'green', 'clean', 'environmentally friendly' BS mindset of the pagan Mother Gaia worshipping envirowhackos.
This is the best ghost industry the KRudd gubbernment has ever made in Australia.
Ping me if you find one I've missed.
We need to watch this failure and learn.
Really sorry to see this, for a least a couple of reasons.
First, I hate to see Australia wasting huge resources on uneconomic schemes that are politically popular, and don’t really do anything that is materially helpful for the environment.
Second, our Greens and the pols the listen to them will be pointing at this and say “see, the U.S. needs to catch up with what Australia is doing!”
No, thanks.
While living in China, my family and I spent a couple of weeks touring your wonderful country. Had a fantastic time. We also had some Aussie ex-pat friends in China and they were just super. In fact, Aussie's remind me of my native Texans in spirit and demeanor. So, I've always been curious about their liberal streak, specifically on gun rights, the environment,etc. I have to say though, just as Texans, Aussies are always up for a good fight and have always been with us whether it was Vietnam or more recently, Iraq and Afghanistan.
[As previously announced, electricity from coal gas will earn rewards under the RET, although it is not renewable.]
It is renewable as is coal and oil and gas as the earth has and continues to operate the way the creator God of Israel made it.
So many lies and fables that those who refuse to know God believe. And their stupidity costs lives and economic well being.
2TIM 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2TIM 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2TIM 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2TIM 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2TIM 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2TIM 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2TIM 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2TIM 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2TIM 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their’s also was.
2TIM 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
2TIM 3:11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
2TIM 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2TIM 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
2TIM 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
2TIM 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
2TIM 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2TIM 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
The cost is $1,100,000,000au; there are ~22,000,000 people in Australia; sounds like about $8.80 per person, not households.
Embrace Gaia and feel her pulse; settle in her bosom and let two hearts beat as one...
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