An innovative policy to reduce pollution, carbon emissions and save taxpayer funds - use Australia's gas advantage
31 May 2016
Embracing lower polluting and lower emitting Australian gaseous fuels provides a more cost effective and innovative low emissions future and Australian jobs as well, the Australian peak body for downstream gaseous fuels said today.
Releasing the Gas Energy Australia 2016 Federal Election Policy Statement, CEO John Griffiths said the six policy opportunities outlined were not costly, but provided simple steps to contribute not only to a low emissions future in transport and off grid stationary energy but also captured what should be Australia's natural advantage in gas and gas skills and technology.
"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.
"Yet the emissions reduction and indeed clean air agenda had barely scratched the surface of a problem that renewables could not do alone or indeed always do as cost effectively as gaseous fuels for many applications."
"While other countries are forging ahead with gas fuels, a range of barriers are preventing Australians from enjoying the benefits of our own natural advantages".
"It is crazy that Australia still imports - indeed increasingly so - 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.
"This election we are calling on political parties 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 election policy statement 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 feasible.
So our platform offers up just six low cost steps to provide an innovative and cost effective contribution to lower emissions and lower pollution - starting with what should be a given in Australian politics, keeping your promises and making sure that when taxpayer dollars are used in green schemes you pay for the best fuel for the tasks that can reduce emissions.
We have been encouraged by the reception by many politicians from all sides of the spectrum to our Vision for Cleaner, Cheaper Australian gas fuels. This Policy Statement - not just for the next six weeks - suggests the first steps to that Vision."
"Politicians often talk about energy, health, innovation and the need for budget prudence. This submission brings several of those elements together in a way Australia has a latent natural advantage in," Mr Griffiths said.
The full policy statement and more information about the 2030 Vision for Cleaner, Cheaper Australian fuels is at www.cleanercheaperfuels.com.au.
Media contact: John Griffiths 0439344622
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