[Peakoil] ACT Energy Policy and Climate Change Discussion Papers and Community Consultation

[Adrian Whitehead]

Hi All,

ACT Energy Policy and Climate Change Discussion Papers and Community
consultation is now under way.

In my original email I overemphasised the climate change side of the process
and would like to point out energy is just as important part of it and hence
directly relevant to people interested in Peak Oil.

It would be great if some people from this discussion list went along and
put in their two bobs worth at the public meetings.

As mike pointed out only 3 went to Gungahlin and only 10-13 went to the
Civic, so a couple of people from peak oil at the next three events would
have significant impact.

The Oil peak groups should also do a submission on the energy paper -
perhaps we can do a wiki version again. Submission is due on the 26th of
April.

Energy Document Available from...

http://www.sustainability.act.gov.au/energy/ACT_energy.html

Remaining dates...

Monday, 3 April
  6:00pm - 8:00pm
  Conference Room
  Quality Hotel
  Woden

Friday, 7 April
  2:00pm – 4:00pm
  Meeting Room 2
  Belconnen Community Centre
  Belconnen

Wednesday 12 April
   6:00pm - 8:00pm
   Tuggeranong Bowls Club
   Tuggeranong

Some points from the energy document

Challenge - an Energy policy that will ensure the availability of clean,
reliable and competitively price priced energy that meets the real [what a
loaded word] needs of Canberrans in the short and long term.

Drivers - Reliability [one of four] "ensuring that we have an understanding
of changes in energy availability and trends in energy use and have policies
in place to ensure ongoing supply"

The bit on oil peak - 
Oil production and petrol refining in Australia has declined markedly over
recent years. As early as 2001 Australia was already importing 61% of its
net
domestic needs, primarily through the Singapore market and this dependence
is growing. The relatively minor impact of Hurricane Katrina in late 2005 on
Australia’s oil supplies was reflected in steeply increased prices. This
will
become a familiar scenario in future.

According to papers presented to the Geological Society of America,
Australian domestic oil production will peak this year with USA, South
America, Europe and the former Soviet Union having already passed their
peak production capacity. Geoscience Australia has estimated that Australian
crude oil production will decline to half of 2003 levels by 2020. We are
increasingly dependent upon Asia and the Middle East to meet our liquid fuel
demands. Internationally, increased competition for these dwindling
resources will reflect in shortages and higher prices. Price rises can be
expected for all commodities and products derived from oil (plastics),
transport and foods that require mechanised farming and production.

It is increasingly clear that an alternative to fossil fuel derivatives is
required if
transport and mechanisation of the type, scale and convenience to which
Australians have become accustomed is to be maintained. The solution may
lay in more efficient vehicles or better-designed cities or a conscious
decision
by all of us to review and downsize our personal transport needs. The Policy
will need to address how Canberrans can influence this mix of solutions and
what impact their selection may have on our city and lifestyle.


Another bit on oil peak referring to the Cwlths Securing Australia's Energy
Future - 

Similarly, petrol issues received only passing mention, including a comment
on page 119 that despite increasing demand for oil, there are sufficient
reserves to supply world demand for around 40 years. If this is our national
deadline for establishing a viable and effective substitute for fossil based
liquid fuels action needs to be taken now.


Adrian Whitehead
Water & Climate Campaigner
Conservation Council of the SE Region and Canberra
P: 6247 7808
F: 6248 5343
M: 0403 735 118

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