Climate wars power up after Roadmap revealed
FNQ environment
From “reckless”, “expensive”, “bad economics” and a “betrayal”, all the way through to “sensible”, “pragmatic”, “affordable” and “reliable”, a myriad of terms are being used to describe Queensland’s new five-year Energy Roadmap released on Friday, depending on what side of the political spectrum you sit.
As the climate wars continue to stir Australian hearts and minds, political parties and interest groups from across the board have spoken out about the divisive plan, released by Premier David Crisafulli’s State Government.
The Roadmap includes a new tender process for 400MW of extra gas-fired generation in Central Queensland; $1.6 billion more to be invested into the current energy grid; $10m for solar-storage batteries, and; building the eastern link of the CopperString transmission line.
A release from Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki stated the Roadmap presented a “sensible” and “pragmatic” plan to meet Queensland’s energy needs.
“Our Energy Roadmap delivers what Queenslanders need, which is affordable and reliable energy that enhances their quality of life, fuels economic growth, and ensures long-term sustainability,” Mr Janetzki said.
“This is an economic solution that places downward pressure on prices for households, businesses, and industry, while ensuring developers have the confidence to plan for the future."
Fossil-fuel lobby group the Queensland Resources Council’s chief executive Janette Hewson also spoke up in favour of the plan.
“Queensland needs a diverse energy mix that balances affordable, reliable and sustainable energy supply for all users,” Ms Hewson said.
But a host of community and environmental groups spoke out strongly against the Roadmap.
Australian Marine Conservation Society campaigns manager Dr Lissa Schindler said the plan will make it impossible for Queensland to meet its 75 per cent emissions reduction target by 2035, which formed a key part of Australia’s commitment to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee to keep the Great Barrier Reef off the World Heritage “in Danger” list.
“The World Heritage Committee will review the management of the Reef next year,” she said.
“With little progress made over the past two years on tackling threats to the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland now walking back on climate commitments, there is a very strong chance the Reef will be recommended for the ‘in Danger’ list next year.”
Parents for Climate chief executive Nic Seton said the cheapest, cleanest energy was from the sun, and the Government was “pouring good money after bad”.
This plan is reckless and unfair, it punishes families instead of protecting their future,” he said.
Antipoverty Centre co-coordinator Jay Coonan: “People are struggling to pay their bills while billion-dollar companies are being bailed out by governments.”
Queensland Conservation Council director Dave Copeman: “Chaining our future to coal dooms us to further energy chaos, power failures, higher prices and confusion for regional Queenslanders.”
A Climate Council statement said the Energy Roadmap was set to sign Queenslanders up for “outdated, unreliable, and expensive coal power” until the 2040s – which threatens to drive up bills and worsen climate pollution.
“It’s bad economics, bad for the climate, and bad for Queensland households,” CC’s Greg Bourne said.
“This is a reckless plan.”
Climate-focussed Associate Professor Joel Gilmore: “The sunshine state should be leading Australia’s clean energy boom, attracting investment and creating tens of thousands of regional jobs.
“Instead, this roadmap risks driving that investment interstate, leaving Queensland with an outdated, expensive system that is falling apart.”
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