Archived News for Energy Sector Professionals - March, 2013
Chevron has announced it has signed a major long-term Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Chubu Electric Power Company for the provision of 1 million tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
IMF urges energy subsidy reform
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released a new paper urging world governments to reform their subsidy programs affecting products ranging from coal to gasoline.
Report details productivity growth
Once extraneous variables such as deposit quality and capital lag effects are accounted for, Australia’s mining sector productivity improved at a steady rate of 2.5 per cent over the last few decades, according to a new report released by the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE).
D'Ascenzo joins CER
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, has announced the appointment of Michael D’Ascenzo as the newest board member of the Clean Energy Regulator (CER).
Government announces department merger
The Federal Government has announced that it will merge the majority of the functions of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE) with the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISTRE).
NT outlines power and water plans
The Northern Territory Government has outlined its new plan for the future of the Territory’s Power and Water Corporation (PWC).
Bowen pipeline gets the nod
Queensland’s Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP) has announced it has given environmental approval to the proposed billion dollar Bowen coal seam gas pipeline.
Study details resources training efforts
A new study commissioned by the Minerals Council of Australia shows that the resources sector spent over $1.1 billion on training in the 2011-12 financial year.
Government sticks to RET
The Federal Government has announced it has fully accepted the recommendation from the Climate Change Authority that the Renewable Energy Target (RET) should not be watered down.
Prices set to ease finds Commission
The days of the seemingly endless growth of power bills are set to end, according to a new report released by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC).
Queensland considers solar de-regulation
The Queensland Government will consider de-regulating solar feed-in tariffs (FiT) across the south-east of the state, following a report into solar FiT’s by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA).
Resources market tipped to fluctuate
Australia’s resources and energy export earnings are expected to drop to $186 billion in 2012-13, before growing in the medium term according to a new report released by the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE).
WA could face tariff shake up
Queensland won’t be the only state looking to shake up its feed-in tariff (FiT) system after newly re-elected Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett announced his intentions to reform the state system earlier last week.
Feds commit to Gove
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to working with Rio Tinto and the Northern Territory Government in ensuring the long term viability of the Gove alumina refinery.
Clean energy bodies to share research
The Australian Clean Energy Council (CEC) and the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) have announced a new partnership that will see the two bodies share research and information on clean energy.
Aurizon secures massive coal deals
Aurizon has announced it has secured two major new coal haulage agreements in Queensland.
Committee hands down Queensland uranium report
Queensland’s Uranium Mining Implementation Committee has handed down its final report outlining how the uranium industry should be re-established in Queensland.
Blackstone station development inches closer
EnergyAustralia’s planned Blackstone Power Station is inching closer to reality after Queensland’s Coordinator-General announced the approval of the project’s material change of use (MCU) application.
NT to reduce power and water price hikes
The newly minted Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Adam Gillies, has announced that the proposed 30 per cent increases to power prices will be reduced to 20 per cent.
Policies strangling energy innovation says consortium
A consortium of some of the nation’s most influential groups has publicly expressed its concern over the nation’s energy policies, saying that a clear, evidence based policy platform must be developed in order to cater for the nation’s energy demand.
ACCC green lights coal port bargaining
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced it has granted collective bargaining rights to a cabal of coal producers for access to the new coal terminal at Dudgeon Point, and with Aurizon Network for access to rail infrastructure for transport to the terminal.