[Peakoil] Is Macfarlane clueless?

[Alex P]

This is pretty disturbing.

Federal Minister Macfarlane seems to be talking rubbish in attempt to 
convince people we will live in an energy-plentiful future. Or else he is 
utterly clueless. We citizens will have to save ourselves.

Alex
O4O4873828

ACT Peak Oil discussion list
http://act-peakoil.org

------------- Forwarded message follows -------------

It seems that when Minister Macfarlane talked of "hydrogen fast fusion 
technology" he really meant just plain old "fusion technology".
See reply below.

Incidentally, www.pescu.net says  :
"Private Enterprise Space Company Unlimited
This is a space agency run by independent characters. 
This site PESCU.net includes a great many things, including
 List of space agencies and an Index of local Astronomical Societies ... " 
and
"NEWS: in 2004 new scientist reported that fusion had reached the 
breakeven level, 
where it no longer uses more energy than it takes to start the reaction."
Huh ?

insideout.rigb.org seems to be a children's science education site that 
asks :
"Can scientists create a mini sun ?  
Well, this might not exactly be true, but scientists are making use of 
their knowledge of the way the sun creates heat energy for our own energy 
needs! "

It's a bit of a worry when the Minister gets mixed up between hydrogen 
technology, fast breeders and fusion,
but when his Energy Advisor gets his information from kiddies science 
pages on the web
then you KNOW we are in trouble.

Any advice on how to proceed ?
Be imaginative - we want to cause maximum embarrassment here :-)

Dave K

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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Fitzgerald, Michael 
  To: dave.kimble at lizzy.com.au 
  Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 4:00 PM
  Subject: Hydrogen


  Dear Mr Kimble



  The Minister has referred your e-mail to me for reply.  His reference 
was to the nuclear fusion technology of the future.  You may find the 
following links useful: 



  http://www.pescu.net/fusion.htm 

  http://insideout.rigb.org/ri/energy/big_questions.html   



  Michael Fitzgerald 
  Adviser (Energy) 
  Office of the Hon Ian Macfarlane MP 
  Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources 
  Australian Government 
   

  CBR  +612 6277 7580

  MEL  +613 9268 7905 

  MOB +614 1280 9016 


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  Minister

  A report at  http://finance.news.com.au/story/0,10166,15830025-
31037,00.html says :
  "In Brisbane for the Austmine Mining Innovation from Downunder 
Conference, Mr Macfarlane said he believed hydrogen fast fusion 
technology, under development in the United States, was the only viable 
alternative energy source."

  What is "hydrogen fast fusion" ?
  There is no mention of it on the internet other than your comments on 
it, and people asking what it means.

  Are you aware that hydrogen has to be manufactured from hydrogen-
containing compounds,
  and that the energy needed to liberate the hydrogen is always more than 
the energy that can be obtained from the hydrogen ?
  Thus hydrogen is a net energy loss process, and in no way can be a 
solution to our energy problems.

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  Dave Kimble
  11, Lindsay Road, Carmoo, 4852
  Queensland, Australia
  ph: (07) 40689270
  Dave.Kimble at Lizzy.com.au
  DK's web site