Australia Releases Clean Power Stations Discussion Paper
The Australian Government has today invited submissions from stakeholders on the Government’s policy to require all new power stations to meet best practice emissions standards and be carbon capture and storage (CCS) Ready.
The discussion paper, A Cleaner Future for Power Stations, is the first step in delivering the Government’s national commitment to:
- require all new coal-fired power stations to meet an emission standard by 2011 with reference to best practice coal-fired generation technology
- only grant approval to new coal-fired generators which meet the emissions standard and are capable of retrofitting CCS technologies
- require all new coal-fired generators to retrofit CCS technologies within an appropriate time after they become commercially available
- extend the Energy Efficiency Opportunities program to cover all existing generators.
It is intended that the Australian Government’s national emission standards could replace the different approaches taken by individual states and territories.
Resources and Energy Minister, Martin Ferguson AM MP, said that the discussion paper is an important part of the Australian Government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the energy sector on a national basis.
Speaking at the first National Carbon Capture and Storage Week in Melbourne today, Minister Ferguson also released a number of reports to guide Australia’s transition to a low emissions economy.
“Carbon capture and storage has the potential to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from large-scale fossil fuel use, not just coal-fired power but also industrial uses. That is why we have invested $1.9 billion in the CCS Flagships program,” Minister Ferguson said.
“The National Carbon Mapping and Infrastructure Plan – Australia by the Carbon Storage Taskforce, shows Australia has the potential to reduce its future greenhouse gas emissions by storing carbon from coal-fired power generation. It recommends starting exploration now for suitable storage sites to enable carbon capture and storage to be a viable option from 2020.
“The National Low Emissions Coal Strategy and an update paper by the National Low Emissions Coal Council is designed to ensure the coal sector makes a substantial contribution to greenhouse gas abatement while enhancing the contribution that coal makes to Australia’s energy security and economic well-being.
“These reports will all inform the Energy White Paper process and provide a reference point to allow policymakers and industry to identify and address key issues.
“To further drive the development of CCS technologies I have also announced the establishment of the National CCS Council that will have a key role to play in the development of the Cleaner Future for Power Stations definition of CCS Ready.
“The role of CCS is increasingly important as we confront the dual challenges of maintaining energy security and transitioning to a low emissions future.”
All reports are available at www.ret.gov.au
Topics: A Cleaner Future for Power Stations, Australia, best practices, business, carbon capture and storage, Carbon Storage Taskforce, ccs, clean coal, clean energy, Cleaner Power Stations, discussion paper, economic development, economic growth, Economy, emission standards, employment, energy, energy independence, Energy Security, Energy White Paper, environment, Governance, government, greenhouse gas, industry, investment, jobs, Martin Ferguson, moniter, monitor, National Carbon Mapping and Infrastructure Plan, National Low Emissions Coal Council, news, policy, power stations, renewable energy, society, stakeholders, technology
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