[Peakoil] News items from Canberra Times Sat, 12 and Sun, 13 Aug 2006

[Antony Barry]

	Saturday
	========

"Petrol fuels party-room debate" by Paul Maley p.B4

A special party meeting called to discuss matters of concern focused  
on petrol prices. Quotes independent members. Dr Barney Joyce at ANU  
quoted as saying ethanol is only a transitional idea. CNG is better.  
"We are not going to be with oil forever".

Comment: There continues to be an idea that high petrol prices is  
something that the government can "fix". The only fix is a decades  
long plan to get us off oil.
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"Declining oil production follows long-term trend" p.22

Australia's crude oil production dropped 10.3% in 2005-6. There has  
been a clear decline since 2000 says APEA. Finds are "fewer and  
smaller".

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=87023
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20099118-643,00.html

Comment: This means we are importing more when our trade terms are  
pretty bad. Australia is past its peak and this makes getting off oil  
more urgent. Our crude oil production is in free fall.
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	Sunday
	=====
"Industry against Fuel change" Letters p.16

Byron Kaufman writes a letter which I find confusing which seems to  
say our probl;ems are industry's fault for concentrating on the short  
term

Barry Naughton writes that cutting excise as many propose is absurd  
as it promotes consumption and comes at the expense of all taxpayers.  
If LPG is promoted it will eventually have to be taxed to make up the  
shortfall in tax. Polices are needed to make more fule efficient  
vehicles attractive.

http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=your% 
20say&subclass=general&story_id=501686&category=Letters%20to% 
20Editor&m=8&y=2006
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"Dragway costs understated" Letters p.16

Terry George writes that fuel costs have gone up since $8m taxpayer  
contribution was costed so now will be considerably more. The city  
can't afford it.

"Costly busway not needed" R.S.Gilbert writes that he though the  
proposal was buried and wonders why ACTPLA is inviting public  
comment. Considers the proposal a waste of money.

http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=your% 
20say&subclass=general&story_id=501686&category=Letters%20to% 
20Editor&m=8&y=2006
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"Substitutes for petrol" by Brian Toohey p.18

Turning food crops into fuel will only have a marginal role. People  
will get used to higher prices like they do with anything else. The  
LNP subsidy is a political reponse but probably make more sense than  
mandating ethanol. Ethanol will only reduce carbon emission 2-5%.  
Biodiesel gives 23-90% depending on the feedstock. Detailed  
discussion of different options.

Comment: No mention of peak oil. What started as a discuss on the  
political response to high fuel prices then shifted to greenhouse  
amelioration.
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"Oil prices up after terrorism slump" p.25

Discusses Alaska, terrorism threats etc and their effects over the  
last few days on oil prices.

Comment: No mention that peaking supplies might be a problem.
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