[Peakoil] News items from Canberra Times Sat 22 and Sun, 23 Jul 20006

[Antony Barry]

Saturday
========

"Inflation fuelled by petrol prices" by Caroline Adam AAP p.4

Petrol prices "probably" pushed inflation to a five year high.  
Reserve Bank may list rates in August.

Comment: If we are on the peak we will definitely have a rate rise  
coupled with price rises flowing through to all things involved with  
transport.
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"Preaching environmental perestroika" by Steve Connolly AAP p.8

Reports on Gorbachev's speech in Brisbane. What is significant is  
that he didn't say anything about dwindling oil supplies but  
concentrated on climate change.

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=&ie=UTF-8&scoring=d&q=gorbachev 
+brisbane&btnG=Search+News
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"Ethanol producer seeks cash" by Rebecca Keenan AAP p.24

Brisbane based Global Ethanol Holdings seeks $US350m in public  
offering. They have two plants in the US producing 380m litres pa.

http://finance.news.com.au/story/0,10166,19557805-462,00.html
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/art/2006/06/23/283956/ 
Global_ethanol_demand_spurs_firm__039_s_IPO.htm
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Business/Global-Ethanol-eyes-A4673m-ASX- 
listing/2006/07/21/1153166568902.html

Comment: They are able to find a market in the US but not in  
Australia because of Government policy.
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Sunday
======
"Theft reporting boost: petrol prices" by Robyn Powell p.9

Petrol thefts reported to ploce are expected to double after the  
procedures were simplified. One owner has lost $34,000 in thefts  
since January.
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"Subsidise cabs, not buses" letter from Tom Waring p.15

Suggests that low patronage bus runs should be closed and the savings  
in costs and subsidies used to issue taxi vouchers to the disadvantaged.

Comment: Cabs are far less fuel efficient than buses provide the load  
factor is reasonable.
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"Energy superpower" by Brian Toohey p.16

Looks at Australia's prospects to be an energy superpower.

Comment: Assumes that "clean power from coal will be possible and  
cites a US study that suggests that electrical  power will only cost  
10% more.

Tony

Feral Librarian | http://tony-barry.emu.id.au
P: 02 6241 7659 | tony at Tony-Barry.emu.id.au
M: 04 1242 0397 | tony.barry at alianet.alia.org.au