Including Australian gas fuels in green schemes would reduce pollution and save taxpayers money – Budget Submission
9 February 2016
A budget submission to the Turnbull Government by Australia's peak body for downstream gaseous fuels, says these fuels would reduce harmful pollutants and carbon emissions while achieving savings in the budget.
Gas Energy Australia Chief Executive John Griffiths said green energy schemes would be more effective and potentially cost less if lower emitting, domestically produced gaseous fuels were included in the Government's green energy schemes and there would be significant health and environmental benefits for Australians.
"Health experts warn airborne toxic pollutants kill up to 3,000 people a year while technological innovation in the energy sector can reduce toxic pollutants, overall emissions and costs to taxpayers" Mr Griffiths said.
"Innovation in gas fuels might not sound as sexy as a smartphone app, but it can improve health, environmental outcomes and support Australian jobs.
"Hopefully the Treasurer and the Prime Minister agree that's pretty sexy innovation." "While other countries are forging ahead with gaseous fuels, a range of barriers are holding back Australians from enjoying the benefits of our own natural advantages".
"It is crazy that Australia still imports dirtier oil based fuels and technologies, when domestically produced gas is a cleaner, cheaper and safer option."
"A number of schemes exclusively for wind or solar don't always lead to the best possible emission or pollution outcome. Including low emissions gas fuels like CNG, LNG and LPG for the right applications could get better emissions outcomes and even save the budget $22 million for one measure alone.
"We are calling on the Turnbull Government to simply support including gas in some of these schemes to ensure the best energy source and technology is used for particular jobs to get better value and lower emissions overall.
"A scheme like ARENA supporting a diesel-solar off-grid generator that uses higher polluting imported fuel but not one that uses just lower polluting Australian gas doesn't make sense.
"Our submission means you don't prescribe "winners" and it ensures schemes can better accommodate innovation and emerging technologies that offer the best outcome for particular jobs."
"And despite a promised excise burden for natural gas transport fuels of not greater than 50% compared with diesel, this has already exceeded 70%. This is deterring efforts by early innovators and adopters to take up lower emitting lower polluting gas powered heavy vehicles, particularly where gas is more feasible.
The submission outlines a number of facts, supporting comments from a range of experts and examples of downstream gas innovations that align with the Government's stated priorities of a lower carbon, cleaner air and more innovation.
The full submission can found at gasenergyaustralia.asn.au/reports-and-submissions/industry-submissions/] and more information about the 2030 Vision for Cleaner, Cheaper Australian fuels is at www.cleanercheaperfuels.com.au.
Media contact: John Griffiths 0439 344 622
View the PDF here.
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