SPONSORED BY Page 1 Fossil • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:29 • 19 June 2018Fool

KNITTING NANNAS AGAINST GAS Bulletin Fossil fools in the spotlight this week: A resource for people working to end the fossil fuel era in

Published by Eve Sinton • [email protected] FFB 1:29 • 19 JUNE 2018 Debunked: report exposes myth of gas as a clean transition fuel

By Matt Maiorana & FFB tion and consumption can deliver a transition A new report report, ‘Debunked: to a cleaner energy sys- The G20 Clean Gas Myth’ focuses on tem has centred around fossil gas development in the G20 the issue of methane and debunking the myth of fossil gas leakage. Methane, the as a clean transition fuel. The report primary hydrocarbon finds that the concept of fossil gas as contained in fossil gas, is a “bridge fuel” to a stable climate is a highly potent green- a myth. Emissions from existing gas house gas (GHG) when fields, alongside existing oil and coal vented or leaked to the development, already exceed car- atmosphere. bon budgets aligned with the Paris Agreement. Studies have found that methane leakage Even if all coal mines were shut levels can be much down tomorrow, the gas and oil in higher for gas produced via fracking than for take the world beyond the carbon bud- conventionally produced already-developedget for a 50% chance fields at staying alone would below gas. If elevated levels of 1.5ºC of global warming. methane are leaked in Despite this reality, G20 countries are the process of producing projected to host investment of over and delivering fossil gas US$1.6 trillion in new gas projects to consumers, then its by 2030. If this happens, emissions emissions advantage unlocked through 2050 would make it over coal for power generation or other uses the Paris Agreement, which has been is reduced or negated, extremelysigned by alldifficult G20 members. to meet the goals of and the bridge fuel idea is mistaken. Australia among top five offenders to power the plants that chill the gas LNG export: Making a bad problem worse Five countries – the United States, Rus- estimated that six to ten percent of the sia, Australia, , and Canada – are intogas processed LNG. Where is requiredfossil gas for is used, powering it is projected to be responsible for 75% of gas that is cooled to -162 degrees to the plant. There is also energy re- capital expenditures in gas production Liquifiedreduce volume Natural and Gas facilitate (LNG) is shipping fossil in G20 countries from 2018-2030. As shale gas production has grown – quiredamount for to shippingthe full lifecycle and regasification. emissions across oceans. On arrival the liquefied So,of producing the LNG process and using adds fossil a significant gas. enabled by the development of hydrau- gasdestination. is generally regasified to be further lic fracturing (fracking) and horizontal transported by pipeline to its final If methane leakage is not kept at very drilling – much of the controversy over As might be expected, this intense low levels – well below 2 percent, whether increased fossil gas produc- process requires a lot of energy. Elec- tricity and fossil gas are generally used • Continued p2

• P 2: Adani wants • P 3: Govt reports that • P 4: Inside 10bn litres of water mining dries out Hunter the news Page 2 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:29 • 19 June 2018 Debunked: dangerous Adani: 10 billion litres of Suttor transitional fuel myth • Continued from p1 River water up for grabs, no EIS depending on shipping distance and may result in increased GHG emis- othersions. factors – replacing coal with LNG

New gas locks in emissions The problem with building a lot of new fossil gas capacity is that the companies investing in gas infrastruc- ture expect to operate their plants for decades to come. Power plants and re- lated infrastructure like pipelines and investments that require decades of LNG terminals are multibillion-dollar investing today expects to retire the Plans by Adani to avoid a full Federal of the surrounding region of Central operationinfrastructure to turn earlier a profit. than Nobody 30 years environmental impact assessment is in drought. of their plans to take 10 billion litres into its lifetime at minimum, while “Adani are saying this take of water of river water in Central Queensland many power plants operate for much is not part of a large scale are dangerous, and undermine Fed- longer. This means that gas plants built project, which is absurd, and should be eral environment laws. over the next few years could still be slapped down by the Federal Environ- operating beyond 2050, when emis- Adani recently submitted a referral ment Minister who should demand a sions from the power sector must be under the Federal Environment Pro- full environmental impact statement. nearing zero. tection and Biodiversity Conservation The myth of fossil gas as a “bridge” to Federal water trigger undermined a stable climate does not stand up to Scheme which will extract 10 billion Actlitres 1999 of water for the from North the GalileeSuttor RiverWater to “This move by Adani will also under- run the Carmichael coal mine. mine the Federal water trigger and date has focused on methane leakage, allow other mining companies to fol- scrutiny.the data showsWhile muchthat the of GHGthe debate emissions to In its referral, Adani claims that the low suit and take and use river water just from burning the fossil gas itself scheme is not captured by the Federal without proper Federal environment are enough to overshoot climate goals. water trigger and says that it is not assessment. a controlled action, which means it “This is yet another example of Adani rather than increase it, and the fact would not require an Environmental Impact Statement. making things up as they go along - Wethat must methane reduce leakage fossil willgas combustionnever be they got approval for a huge coal mine reduced to zero only makes this task Carmel Flint, spokesperson for Lock without knowing where they were more urgent. the Gate Alliance said “Adani is trying going to get their water from, and are This report is one of two published to sneak through a massive 10 billion now trying to push through their wa- simultaneously that question the litre water scheme, including a dam ter plan without any transparency. and pipeline, without a full environ- ongoing push for expanding fossil gas “Adani is also suggesting that it will production in G20 countries. mental impact assessment under Federal environment laws. make water available to other Galilee It was produced by: Oil Change Interna- Basin coal mines from the scheme in tional in collaboration with African Climate “If the Federal Minister approves this, the future, which suggests that they it will be yet another special deal for might triple the amount of water taken Movement on Debt & Development, Christian Adani that hangs Queensland farmers, - all without any proper assessment or Reality Project, Amazon Watch, Asian Peoples’ local communities and the environ- public consultation” she said. HealthAid, Earthworks, of Mother Engajamundo,Earth Foundation, Food Leave & Water it ment out to dry, at a time when most inEurope, the Ground Food & Initiative, Water Watch, Legambiente, Greenpeace, Obser - vatori del Deute en la Globalització, Platform, Dr Wayne Somerville is well known in the Northern Rivers, earth, UK Youth Climate Coalition, urgewald, and NSW, for his involvement with the Bentley Blockade. 350.org.Rainforest Action Network, Re:Common, Stand. His new book, Shallow Thought, Deep Mind: What The report can be downloaded here: you need to succeed, thrive and make the world http://priceofoil.org/2018/06/11/debunked-g20-clean-gas- myth/ better, is for everyone who takes on life’s challenges and dreams of brighter tomorrows. The partner report, ‘Debunked: The The book can be purchased from website Promise of Argentina’s Vaca Muerta www.drwaynesomerville.com for $24.99 which includes Shale Play postage anywhere in Australia and GST. The e-book version is http://priceofoil.org/debunked-vaca-muerta available on Amazon. An audio book is coming. ,’ is available at: Page 23 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:29 • 19 June 2018 Government report: massive water drawdown from mining could affect up to 30% of the Hunter region The Commonwealth government has released its Hunter Bioregional Assessment, revealing that 25% of the Hunter could already have been affected by groundwater drawdown caused by mining. Another 5% of the region is likely to be affected if proposed new mines proceed. The report also indicates that there has been impacts on river systems, particularly in the Goulburn River catchment, and reveal the extensive impact that the Bylong coal mine would have on groundwater if it was approved. Lock the Gate Alliance spokesperson shows that a massive area of the GeorginaHunter Valley Woods is experiencing said, “This report negative impacts from coal mining with almost 25% of the region potentially already affected by groundwater drawdown from mining. “This represents a risk to agriculture in the region, and is even more con- cerning during a drought like the one we are experiencing at present when farmers are under pressure already and reliant on groundwater.

New mines, expansions proposed “The report shows that the 17 pro- posed new mines and expansions in the region will only make things worse never be allowed in the Bylong Valley very likely (greater than 95% chance) for our groundwater, with water losses - to occur at distances of 5km from mine expected in the Singleton, Muswell- ment to acknowledge this new infor- sites. andmation we’re and calling reject on the the mine.” NSW Govern The Bioregional Assessment reveals brook and Jerry’s water sources.” that the groundwater drawdown from Highlights from the report •water Water sources. losses areIn the expected Singleton in the source, the Bylong coal mine will effect an Singleton, Muswellbrook and Jerry’s area close to 500 square kilometres, Modelling undertaken for the biore- more than a quarter of which is in the gional assessment in the Hunter sub- there’sof that watera 50% source. chance (see of 4.5GL Table loss 37 of - region includes 68 mining operations flow,“Impact which and is risk 24% analysis”). of the annual flow tage area. comprising 41 baseline mines and Greater Blue Mountains World Heri 17 additional coal resource develop- • Groundwater drawdown predictions “The Assessment reveals more exten- ments. Several new or expanded mine indicate that an area of 494km2 will sive impacts from the proposed Bylong be affected by drawdown as a result of coal mine on water resources, with included. Results indicate: the proposed Bylong mine, 137km2 of predicted impacts on the Blue Moun- proposals like United Wambo were not • There is considerable hydrological which is in the Greater Blue Mountains impact from extensive mining in the “After recent freedom of information affected area of the Bylong coal mine tains World Heritage Area. region. The extent of groundwater documents revealed that the mine is drawdown of over 0.2m from existing Worldcould see Heritage groundwater Area. Up drawdown to 12% of ofthe likely to cause the Bylong River to dry mining could extend to 4,307km2 – or greater than 5m. 25% of the study area. This would See more at: increase to 5,129km or 30% as a result http://www.bioregionalassessments.gov.au/assessments/hunt- up,Area. now we find that it may also affect of the expanded mining. er-subregion groundwater in the World Heritage • Drawdown of greater than 0.2m is

“It’s obvious that coal mining should Page 34 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:29 • 19 June 2018 Gasfield free surveys cover 101 communities, Inside the news 3.2 million hectares, saying no to CSG The great gas import farce contin- ues, with both AGL (Crib Point) and “It was no surprise, really, how open people AIE (Port Kembla) were to discussion on the subject of CSG and talking up their plans (p7-9). gasfields being drilled on their land. Twiggy Forrest’s Even the Murdoch press has no- “Clearly, most people are aware of the issues ticed that the projects will rely on associated with the gas industry, also that our region has a gas licence still open for drilling to commence if the Narrabri Gas Project domestic reservation scheme for comes online. the destruction of the government’shigh- er gas and electricity prices as a The gasfield free survey is not a new concept result.their profits. We can expect in the Warrumbungle Shire, with the Bugaldie community surveyed in 2017. Following the first community-run gasfield free survey on the North Coast in 2012, more than 3.28 million hectares and 101 communi- ties have been surveyed.

More than 150 residents in the Dandry Mr Small said the results revealed a massive- region, north of Coonabarabran, have ly high number of landholders opposed the responded to a recent gasfield free survey, invasive gas industry. with 90.3 per cent of landholders voting “Dandry is now one of many regional NSW to protect their land from coal seam gas communities who are now standing togeth- (CSG) exploration. er, with the strength of their democratic As the Dandry area encompasses more than decision, knowing that the whole region is 84,000 hectares, the survey process was overwhelmingly united against the threat to lengthy. our farmland, our bushland, our water and our communities,” he said. Coonabarabran Residents Against CSG spokesperson, Peter Small, said the survey “This ever-growing survey is continuing to put area was broken up into three groups to make political pressure on the Nationals to support Meanwhile the fossil fuel industry it easier for coordinators to get organised. their constituents to stop CSG in the Pilliga and its government cronies are and work for a CSG ban across the state. launching a full-on anti-greenie “It’s a lot of area to cover, and every attempt assault (p10). to contact all landholders was made, even “The ALP has already given an undertaking that, if elected in 2019, they will not give leaving letters on locked gates and call back The Courier-Mail indulged half a times to meet,” Mr Small said. Santos a production licence for the Pilliga project.” (Coonabarabran Times 14/06/2018) dozen mining bosses with an airing of their whinges about ‘lying gree- tyrants industry. Nannas knit-in outside Santos HQ nies’ and ‘ ’ killing their They appear to think vegans in Knitting Nannas Against Gas from the Gold Coast (Qld) Drake, Lismore, Eltham, and Boatharbour (NSW), made one of their regular trips to Brisbane last week. “Let’s stop up the industry. CSG pioneer and CSG together,” they said. A couple of Santos security guards checked them out, but the former QGC boss Richard Cottee, Nannas kept calm and made an impression on passers-by. Brisbane’s West End are holding Photo: Facebook think again. His most ardent oppo- blindednents are by meat-eating, the ‘’, horse-rid should- ing, tractor-driving farmers who know that co-existence with mining is a myth. Monash Fo- rum plunged into the foray, saying Thethey Coalition’s will be campaigning fossil for no less than four new coal-fired power stations to be built. Expect adver- -

tisements, flyers and media cover However, a gathering of fossil fuel ageseeking to trump ‘doomsayers’. executives at the Vatican, on the third anniversary of Pope Francis Laudado Si encyclical on global warming, got a pointed message. ’ The Pope chastised them for continuing the search for more fuel reserves (p11). Page 45 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:29 • 19 June 2018 In the news this week: This week Fossil Fool Bulletin has summarised 19,000 words of news for your convenience. Click on the links to view original articles. (Subscriptions may be required) THE ADANI SAGA https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/ wagners-over-30m-contract jun/11/anti-adani-protesters-target-construction-firm- Anti-Adani protesters target construction firm Wagners over $30m contract Ben Smee, The Guardian, 11/06/2018 Anti-Adani activists say they have launched an escalating disruption campaign against Queensland con- being targeted over a $30m contract structionto build an company airstrip forWagners, the Carmichael which is Coalmine. Members of the group Galilee Blockade

Pinkenba near the Port of Brisbane on enteredSunday afternoon,a Wagners dressed industrial as sitesuperhe at - roes, as a precursor to further protests. Galilee Blockaders entered a Wagners industrial site at Pinkenba, near the Port of Brisbane last week, dressed as superheroes. Photo: Galilee Blockade airport, in total worth about $30m. Wagners has the contract to build the https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/adani-shuns- activate the water trigger, the pipe- of their disruption campaign would water-trigger-despite-drought-20180612-p4zkz1.html The activists say the financial cost line would undergo a higher level of would make from the Adani contract. Adani shuns water trigger despite scrutiny than that applied by local and quickly cancel out any profit Wagners drought state assessments, including input Nicole Hasham, SMH, 13/06/2018 - committee. port-creates-legal-political-risks/ Indian mining giant Adani is seeking from an independent expert scientific https://www.echo.net.au/2018/06/efic-fail-adani-sup Labor environment spokesman Tony EFIC fail: Adani support creates legal & to dodge federal scrutiny of its plan political risks to build a pipeline pumping billions of litres of water from a river in did not qualify for the water trigger David Barnden, Byron Echo, 12/06/2018 drought-stricken central Queensland Burke said Adani’s claim the project A new report by Environmental Justice appeared illogical. … In a plan being evaluated by federal en- https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/ to feed its Carmichael mega-mine. … state-politics/queensland-budget-cold-water-poured- vironment authorities, Adani wants to on-adani-revenue-boost/news-story/b1cd9a4028d5aaf- f7424e4151c141e45 Australiacontroversial finds Carmichael that if Australia’s coal mine, export it build a 61 kilometre pipeline to pump credit agency, EFIC, funds Adani’s - up to 12.5 billion litres of water a year Queensland budget: cold water poured cant legal and political risk. from the Suttor River to the mine. on Adani revenue boost would expose its directors to signifi The Export Finance and Insurance - Mark Schliebs, The Australian, 13/06/2018 Corporation (EFIC) has regularly The Queensland government has met Adani and reportedly decided to waterThe project, to “other known resource as the extraction North Gali provide concessional support to a sought to temper expectations over leeprojects” Water in Scheme, the region could such also as provide the Chi - - chael coal project, after suggestions EFIC told Senate Estimates on June 1 Large coal mines require federal Adani’sin the previous proposed budget $16.5 that billion economic Carmi company in Adani’s supply chain. na Stone coal project, Adani says. … that the relevant transaction was not approval if they are likely to have a growth rates and state revenue would rise if it went ahead. • David Barnden is a senior lawyer at Environ- This is known as the water trigger. Treasurer Jackie Trad spoke about the mentalproceeding Justice ‘at Australia. the moment’. This article … was first significant impact on a water resource. published by RenewEconomy. The documents show Adani claims pipeline of renewable energy projects the water trigger applies only to water when asked yesterday about the mine, used in the extraction of coal, and the - pipeline plan is not captured because al of support for a federal loan for the water to be pumped “is not part of following the government’s withdraw campaign. the project during last year’s election If the federal government was to the extraction process”. … “We need all industries to play their role,” Ms Trad said. “It’s not just one Page 56 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:29 • 19 June 2018 COAL ROCKS ON made available for other uses. https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5456285/not-sat- company, we’ve got many projects - stuck by plans to turn the mine into a in the pipeline — whether they’re tar-coal-mine/?cs=305 isfied-regulator-refuses-to-lift-prohibition-order-on-aus Hazelwoodfull pit lake, mine citing owner safety ENGIE concerns has with resource companies, whether they’re Yancoal has started legal action after renewable energy companies. … https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/business/adani- questions about worker safety at cuts-townsville-workforce-but-commits-to-carmichael-proj- ect/news-story/0485e6136b361f194c41ee2b0c626117 troubled Hunter mine a dry scenario. … Joanne McCarthy, Newcastle Herald, 09/06/2018 GAS, GAS, GAS Adani cuts Townsville workforce but https://www.katherinetimes.com.au/story/5458164/ commits to Carmichael project - members-of-fracking-group-revealed/ ground coking coal mine is facing an Tony Raggatt, Townsville Bulletin, 03/06/2018 Members of fracking group revealed Yancoal’suncertain troubledfuture after Austar the Resourcesunder The number of people working at Chris McLennan, Katherine Times, 10/06/2018 - workers were safe following repeated ued to fall just as coal prices recover to Regulatorcoal burst saidevents it was in 2018 “not similarsatisfied” to an members of its Onshore Shale Gas: Adani’sa point whereTownsville its Galilee offices Basin has continproject incident that killed two Austar mine TheCommunity NT Government and Business has revealed Reference the could be viable. workers in 2014.

Adani established the headquarters for Some Austar employees have been It follows the appointment last month Group. … its Carmichael coal project in Towns- redeployed to other Yancoal Hunter of Dr David Ritchie as the independent ville last year. sites in the past two weeks after the Regulator prohibited all underground About 150 people have been working the 135 recommendations from the longwall mining at the Paxton mine officer to oversee implementation of- from May 18 after coal bursts in an and rail corridor, but those numbers area newly approved for mining. scientific inquiry into hydraulic frac athave the now offices, been planning reduced the to aboutmine site 100. The members are: turing. … It is understood about 15 people were Denys Stedman (Chair) – Buy Local Advo- told their contracts would expire at Yancoal is challenging the regulator’s cate; Jimmy Cocking – Director, Arid Lands the end of the month or they were no action in court. … Environment Centre; Matt Doman – Di- http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/5468300/ Production and Exploration Association; Meanwhile, development authority dry-mine-a-fire-risk/ longer required. … Dry mine a fire risk rector,Julie-Ann SA Stolland NT,– Manager Australian – Mining, Petroleum Central Townsville Enterprise is continuing to Heidi Kraak, Latrobe Valley Express, 14/06/2018 Land Council; Greg Bicknell – Chief Execu- A “whopping great hole” is not an Duggin – Principal Lawyer and Executive advocate for opening the Galilee. … acceptable option for the Hazelwood tive Officer, Chamber of Commerce; Gillian https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/townsville- city-council-redirects-cash-earmarked-for-adani-airport/ mine void but a lake was a reasonable Geoff Crowhurst – Chair, Katherine Mining news-story/08f72d22a6c1c42b996784c715f13144 outcome, an RMIT engineering expert Officer,Services Environmental Association; Fay Defenders Miller – Mayor,Office; says. Katherine Town Council; Prof Alan Cass – Townsville City Council redirects cash Director, Menzies School of Health Research; earmarked for Adani airport RMIT associate professor of environ- Tony Raggatt, Townsville Bulletin, 16/06/2018 mental engineering Gavin Mudd said a dry scenario for the mine void could be MichaelLand Council; Bridge Paul – Chairman, Burke – Chief Tourism Executive NT; Joe Townsville City Council is redirecting Morrison – Chief Executive Officer, Northern

His comments come after Latrobe City Officer, NT Cattleman’s Association; Greg Carmichael coal mine airport to shov- a “perpetual bushfire risk”. $18.5el-ready million projects earmarked around thefor Adani’scity. councillors voted to advocate retain- Owens – Chief Executive Officer, NT Farmers; ing a section of the mine for future David Ciaravolo –Executive Officer, Amateur Mayor Jenny Hill announced the move coal-winning with the remainder to be Fisherman’s Association of the NT; Damian yesterday, saying that while she fully Hale – Organiser, Australian Workers Union. supports the mine, its continued de- lays mean the money will be invested Hazelwood Mine caught fire and burned out of control for 45 days in February 2014. It covered the homes of over 15,000 people in toxic coal ash for weeks and damaged the health of the local community. Photo: Environment in projects here. … Adani that should the company secure [Ms Hill said] “I’ve made it clear to then council will be back at the table financeto ensure and those is ready FIFO to jobs start remain mining in Townsville.”

SUBSCRIBE FREE FOSSIL FOOL BULLETIN https://knitting-nannas.org/bulletins.php Page 67 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:29 • 19 June 2018 https://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/story/5463147/ letter-to-the-editor-coal-seam-gas-debate-stuart-murray/ for the gas industry, and the attempts cy Management Agency director of aimed at silencing us, by shutting Coal seam gas debate down venues booked for public fo- had received dozens of 911 calls from Letter to the Editor, Stuart Murray, Northern neighboring Ohio County said officials extinguished roughly four hours later. Daily Leader, 12/06/2018 At other times we have been criticised rums. … localsThe blast able was to see so powerfulthe fire, which that one was - - nock in the Courier May 31st, 2018 like a tornado was passing through. for not presenting the benefits of the I refer to the letter from Jack War resident told a local CBS affiliate it felt programme on the impacts of the CSG CSG industry. We see this as unneces Industry on the community of our sary as Santos will do this. … damage was reported, TransCananda regarding SBS Television’s Insight - region. Nosaid one in awas statement, injured, addingand no thatproperty the gramme was the inability of landhold- Another valid point which didn’t come cause of the explosion was not yet de- - outers toin getthe insurancefinal edit for coverage the Insight against pro gramme seemed set on highlighting risks posed by the CSG industry to divisions in the community, by seating - Meanwhile, whistleblowers at numer- As reported by Mr Warnock, the pro termined. … the pro- and anti-CSG members of est risk takers, insurance companies, ous pipeline companies have raised the audience on opposite sides of the their businesses. If the world’s great risks then why should communities construction — including TransCanada. won’tand landholders provide insurance have to? against these red flags about the impacts of rushed In fact, the weight is all on one side, DeSmog has previously reported room. … and is against the project. As men- numerous concerns raised by former tioned in the introduction to the go ahead. In other words there is no TransCanada engineer Evan Vokes programme, there were 23,000 Mostsocial people licence don’t for CSG want to theproceed project in thisto about construction problems and cut

Gas project development application, “TransCanada keeps insisting the submissionsmaking it the to most the protestedSantos Narrabri project in district. … corners … https://www.desmogblog.com/2018/06/07/new-tran- Keystone XL pipeline will be the safest scanada-leach-xpress-pipeline-explodes-west-virginia?utm_ pipeline ever built despite irrefutable the project with only 296 submissions source=dsb%20newsletter evidence to the contrary,” Vokes [said]. NSW history. Over 22,000 objected to TransCanada’s new ‘Best-In-Class’ gas “In fact they are building the south- During the programme Santos went to pipeline explodes in West Virginia, ern portion of the Keystone XL to the in favour. … great pains to point out that they will causing fiery blast lowest permissible standards, just not force people into agreeing to have Sharon Kelly, DeSmog Blog, 07/06/2018 as they have the Keystone 1 and the CSG wells drilled on their property and would only do so if invited. Although This morning [June 7], residents of this sounds good what Santos did not Bison Pipeline.” … say was that this does not apply to at 4:15 a.m. to a major natural gas rup- IMPORT FARCE other infrastructure such as pipelines, Marshall County, West Virginia, awoke https://thewest.com.au/business/markets/agl-strikes- compressor stations, water treatment deals-for-lng-import-jetty-ng-s-1867029 ture— a quicklyand explosion built pipeline on TransCanada’s only half a plants, gas processing plants, etc. The AGL strikes deals for LNG import jetty Santos commitment to not drill gas Leachyear old. XPress pipeline on Nixon Ridge Lilly Vitorovich, AAP/West Australian, - 12/06/2018 invited is of little comfort, when by law cal TV news reported. Police warned AGL Energy has struck several deals wellslandholders on a farmer’s do not propertyhave the rightunless to The fire was visible for miles, lo to evacuate — and the Emergen- The group called “People for the anyone who could see the flames say no. … for its proposed liquefied natural gas If you can see the flames – evacuate! The TransCanada pipeline in West Virginia commenting that “the group was pro- exploded just six months after completion. Photo: DeSmog Blog Plains”moted as P4P a forum was criticised, for sharing Mr infor Warnock- mation on the Gas Project. However, it became obvious that this was not the real objective, but rather a group that

Gas Project at any cost and by any wasmeans.” determined to stop the Narrabri It is true that, after considerable investigation, P4P concluded that the

Narrabri Gas Project should not be It is also true that People for the Plains approved … is regarded as a critic of the CSG indus- try and has asked the hard questions, looking for answers to aspects of CSG that the industry does not want questioned. Our success can be judged by the smear campaign against P4P undertaken by out-of-town lobbyists Page 78 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:29 • 19 June 2018 import jetty at Crib Point in Victoria, tralia given that shortage has driven which could help deliver more gas to electricity prices so wild that the AGL Victoria and . in industrial areas,” Save Western Port share price has been transformed spokeswoman Louise Page said. … from a staid utility to tearaway growth The energy company has signed https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-ener- stock? development and gas transportation gy/agl-a-step-closer-to-gas-import-terminal/news-story/ agreements with APA Group and - works, lease and berthing and jetty AGLca2ea434b32bd0b0fb07ab1dee640d7a a step closer to gas import terminal agreements with the Port of Hastings Andrew White & Matt Chambers, highI’ll tell – andyou thereforewhy. It knows electricity that import prices The Australian, 13/06/2018 inghigh LNG – so will it is keep insuring the local its rentier gas price prof - The company on Tuesday said it was AGL Energy is a step closer to building Development Authority. … still working through processes with a gas import terminal in Victoria after AGL and Twiggy Forrest are betting its. … key commercial and stakeholders signing agreements with APA Group to on, and ensuring, the destruction of - build a pipeline that would deliver the the east coast domestic reservation fuel into the east coast gas network. regime. before making a final investment deci The signing of development and gas sion on the Crib Point LNG Import Jetty transportation agreements with APA https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/import- in the 2018/19 financial year. … push-25-years-after-massive-export-deal-either-complete- https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/apa-to- mismanagement-or-ploy-to-increase-prices/news-sto- build-pipelines-for-agl-s-victorian-gas-import-terminal- ry/980397ba6a2c56d221fc05a659504249 20180612-p4zkwp.html on the project rise by $65 million will see AGL’s spending commitments Import push 2.5 years after massive APA to build pipelines for AGL’s Victorian approvals, including from its board, to gas import terminal toproceed $102m with ahead the of project. a string of final export deal ‘either complete mismanagement or ploy to increase Cole Latimer, SMH, 12/06/2018 AGL said the project would cost $250m prices’ AGL has struck two deals to support Sharri Markson, Daily Telegraph, 15/06/2018 import terminal in Victoria, which is in total, with first gas to be delivered in The multi-millionaire boss of AGL has 2021. … hit struggling families with its proposed Crib Point floating gas - plant it planned to lease for the project higher gas prices and an insult of a mi- ing gas crisis. would be capable of handling up to AGL said the floating regasification nuscule reduction on our power bills says will help address the state’s loom 100 petajoules of gas a year but was APA on Tuesday agreed to build the while offering Queenslanders greater gas transport pipelines while AGL being costed based on 40PJ, which also signed agreements with the Port of Hastings for the long-term use of a relief from electricity prices. … equated to 12-40 ships. … American import Andy Vesey, has also https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2018/06/east-coast- gas-farce-doubles/ Therevealed energy he giant’sis pressing chief ahead executive, with Under the project, APA will build about berth at the Crib Point jetty. … plans to import gas to Australia, likely 60 kilometres of new pipeline capable East coast gas farce doubles from Qatar or the United States — just of transporting about 500 terajoules Macrobusiness, 12/06/2018 two-and-a-half years after signing a of gas a day. The cost of the pipeline is billion-dollar deal to export a quarter believed to be between $160 million Yes, somehow the farce has doubled in of our annual gas supply to China, just a few days. Last week it was Twig- has been forecast to cost about $250 and $200 million, while AGL’s terminal , Japan and Malaysia. … gy Forrest importing gas to NSW. Now Committee on Energy, MP Craig Kelly, - - million. … it’s AGL to Victoria … Chairman of the Coalition’s Backbench- ply and origination, Phaedra Deckart, AGL’s general manager for energy sup Why would AGL import gas to Aus demanded answers over AGL’s deci - Even the Tele can spot a bad deal when they see one so blatant as gas import plans for saidtion units… the from company Asia orhad Europe been looking and was Australia’s east coast! atalready importing in negotiations. new floating regasifica Despite surging ahead with the proj- ect, there are still a number of approv- als AGL must receive before it begins

One of the main hurdles for the project importing gas. … is its location close to national mari- time parks. … Environmental group Save Western Porthomes. warned of the project’s impact to the Western Port wetlands and nearby that close to residences, bushland and “It’sadjacent totally to inappropriateprotected wetlands, for it to other be floating import facilities - like that proposed at Port Kembla in NSW - are Page 89 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:29 • 19 June 2018

https://www.afr.com/opinion/columnists/neoliberal- ism-is-dead-and-the-australian-political-right-killed-it- erator to be controlled by a Hong Kong import it from overseas. 20180611-h118fn billionaire via the Cayman Islands who sion to first sell off our gas, and now is not keen on paying tax, the govern- Neo-liberalism is dead and the ment would be mad to give the green either a complete mismanagement or Australian political right killed it light to this $13 billion APA takeover. “Thea ploy way to increase they’ve beenprices trading to Australian gas is Richard Denniss, AFR, 12/06/2018 Asian billionaire, Li Ka-shing, moved If Malcolm Turnbull were serious on Duet Group two years ago in a $7.4 consumers,” he said. … about cutting the company tax rate he billion play for even more of Austra- FOSSIL POLITICS would simply push for a carbon tax to https://www.themandarin.com.au/93844-new-zealands- fund it. Victoria power companies CitiPower productivity-commission-charts-course-to-low-emis- sion-future/?utm_campaign=TheJuice&utm_medium=e- lia’s energy assets. Via 51 per cent of mail&utm_source=newsletter almost certainly would. In one fell ETSA Utilities, he already had his foot New Zealand’s productivity commission If the Greens didn’t support him, Labor and Powercor and South Australia’s distribution and his latest prey, APA, is charts course to low-emission future we need, the carbon price he knows swoopwe need, he’d plus deliver leave thethe taxbudget, cuts heand says onalready a huge a monopolypipeline chunk of Australia’s operator energy Robert McLachlan, The Mandarin, 06/06/2018 on the East Coast. This takeover bid should be dismissed becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. the public’s faith in our democracy, in a The Business Council of Australia as a joke. It ought to be strenuously New Zealand has set itself a target of much better place. But he won’t. opposed by ACCC and FIRB. Moreover self-funding reforms for the simple the ATO commissioners must be shak- Afound recent that report this is issued an achievable by the New goal, won’treason push that forthe such right a of simple Australian set of pol - ing their heads in disbelief. CKI has Zealandeven under Productivity modest forecasts Commission of tech has- itics is more concerned with politics a dismal record of paying tax in this nological progress and increases in country and elsewhere and when for- carbon price. tax is good for the climate and good for eign predators take an asset offshore, thanthe economy, it is with it policy. is opposed While by a carbon a small it mostly results in plunging income reducing greenhouse gas emissions number of powerful players in the • Bruce Robertson is an investment analyst @ Newto 50% Zealand below already 1990 levels had a by goal 2050. of taxbarobertson111 contributions. … That target had been in place since Indeed, while the Coalition are of- resource sector and the parliament. … 2002, but emissions continued to rise ten described as “free marketeers” who support “small government” the https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/apa-shares- soar-as-hong-kong-giant-tables-13billion-offer-for- The 500-page report, now available facts suggest otherwise. Minister for -biggest-gas-pipeline-operator/news-story/ through the 2000s. … ae4bac415e5777b6c5a013243e7d9db9 in draft form, is a huge and compre- Resources Matt Canavan wants to sub- hensive piece of work. From the very sidise coal mines. Tony Abbott wants APA shares soar as Hong Kong giant beginning, the commission knew what to nationalise power stations and Mal- tables $13 billion offer colm Turnbull wants the government they were up against, writing that: John Dagge, Deals, Herald Sun, 13/06/2018 to build Snowy 2.0. The Coalition are united in their desire to intervene in - a new, low-emissions, economy will line operator, APA Group, have surged …thebe profound shift from and the widespread, old economy trans to - Sharesto a record in Australia’s high after biggest the company gas pipe forming land use, the energy system, markets, they just can’t agree on when. was killed by the political right and production methods and technology, from a major Chinese infrastructure Neo-liberalism is dead in Australia, it regulatory frameworks and insti- fieldedinvestor. a $13 billion takeover offer tutions, and business and political resist the desire to subsidise their thefriends business and tie community their opponents who couldn’t up in the red tape they claim to despise. more than 20 per cent — their biggest Although the report covers all main culture. … APAone-day shares price on gain Wednesday yet — after soared the aspects of society and economy, there and the renewable energy industry it pipeline operator revealed an arm of are three big changes that stand out: Whenseems ittoo comes much to regulation unions, charities is never - Hong Kong’s Cheung Kong Holdings ly (in some models, nearly all light In Australia today appeasing the coal APA operates 15,000km of pipelines enough for the modern right. … had offered to buy it outright. … Transport must be electrified rapid industry and the conservative climate across mainland Australia, accounting zero-emission by the early 2030s) sceptics is a more pressing problem vehicles entering the fleet must be Huge numbers of trees – up to an extra than tackling climate change and cut- gas usage. ting the company tax rate. for about half of the nation’s natural 2.8 million hectares, tripling the cur- The CK group of companies — founded rent plantation estate – must be plant- • Richard Denniss is chief economist at The by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing ed to absorb carbon dioxide. These Australia Institute. — is already the biggest foreign owner trees have to go somewhere, probably on sheep and beef farms https://www.michaelwest.com.au/apa-why-do-foreign-en- ergy-giants-covet-australian-assets-were-a-soft-touch/ A lot of new renewable electricity gen- of Australian utility assets. … eration will be needed, nearly doubling APA: why do foreign energy giants covet the present capacity, which is already Australian assets? We’re a soft touch CONTACT FFB: Email Bruce Robertson, MichaelWest.com 13/06/2018 [email protected] 85% renewable. … Unless it wants gas prices to shoot up, with your comments & tips -

and Australia’s monopoly pipeline op PagePage 109 •• FossilFossil FoolFool BulletinBulletin 1:291:29 •• 1919 JuneJune 20182018

and the media to spread facts about

“doomsayers”. coal-fired power that would trump the Members for Capricornia, Hinkler and Dawson are also part of the pro-coal ginger group.

Its most high-profile member is former prime minister Tony Abbott. … https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/activists-hold-jam- boree-organise-beyond-coal-and-gas Activists hold jamboree to organise beyond coal and gas Margaret Gleeson, GreenLeft Weekly, 14/06/2018 The burgeoning movements against https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/national/lying-gree- coal and gas projects, to defend the nies-accused-of-killing-queensland-mining-industry/ Great Barrier Reef and to conserve news-story/c8bada0682d13acf636c07afc28b8bb9 would not be viable and, without coal precious water resources were boost- suchand gas, a level the aQueensland new refinery Government or smelter ‘Lying’ greenies accused of killing ed by the Beyond Coal and Gas Jam- Queensland mining industry boree held on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland over May 31 to June 3. John McCarthy, Courier-Mail, 15/06/2018 would be even further in debt. … former chief executive Grant King Mining bosses have issued a dire More than 350 activists from around Originhas previously is a partner said in that APLNG, if the andgreen its Australia joined international guests warning that greenies behind the “Tofu activist tactics deployed against coal Curtain” and mountains of red and projects had also been used against the fourth Beyond Coal and Gas gath- green tape will make it impossible for the gas sector, “we would have been fromering. the Pacific, the US and India at unlikely to have seen the creation of an most successful industries to be built Participants included Indigenous new projects in some of Queensland’s campaigners against fracking in the - entirely new LNG export industry”. … in the future. … said his $900 million Acland coal mine Newexpansion Hope wasGroup’s facing Shane another Stephan poten - mining on traditional lands in the “My battle is in West End and Mel Kimberley, ; the tial 10 to 12-month delay in the courts, Galilee Basin, in Queensland. Also bourne,”told a recent the headfunction. LNG producer, ; and against coal adding to the 11 years it has taken to present were activists from grassroots APLNG’s chief executive Warwick King Former QGC boss Richard Cottee called get it this far. campaigns in Port Augusta in South it the “Tofu Curtain” that divides the Queensland Resources Council chief Australia; in Victoria; Cen- green inner-city suburbs from the rest executive Ian Macfarlane said the of Queensland. “lawfare” waged in the courts by green as well as from metropolitan areas Mr Cottee, who started the coal seam groups was “spooking everyone”. tral and North Queensland; the Hunter like Sydney, , and gas industry in Queensland, said the and South Coast ; industry was losing the argument. had been a raft of regulation over the The opening session, “Indigenous “One way the industry is going wrong State Gas’s Lucy Snelling said there . … rising: protecting country and organis- is it still thinking in terms of facts and past year in the gas industry. … ing our people”, heard how Indigenous truth,” he said. https://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/held-hos- tage-pro-coal-alliance-at-odds-with-renewa/3443146/ to defend their lands from coal and ‘Held hostage’: Pro-coal at odds with communitiescoal seam gas are mining. heading up the fight “We still deal in facts and science when renewable focus - they (activists) are using emotion. … es Investment Commissioner Todd Tegan Annett, Gladstone Observer, 16/06/2018 and Jagalingou Traditional Owners TheHarrington State Government’s said the industry Resourc had lost Adrian Burragubba from the Wangan- young adults. tion since 2012 of the Adani Carmi- Councilchael coal (W&J) project spoke in the of theirGalilee opposi Basin, “I know kids in my community in Bris- NewForum coal as willthey be ramp put upon effortsa pedestal to shift by Flynn MP Ken O’Dowd and the Monash and the court challenges they have old at a barbecue about resources energy. bane– they … are I can’t so polarised engage with with a the20-year- green the nation’s focus from renewable faced. … view,” he said. louder with its campaigning next week “Wewant have economic a vision independence, for our people and that to “I reckon there needs to be a focus on The pro-coal ‘ginger group’ will grow ismake sustainable,” a future on Burragubba our Country said. that “We is kids under 10, because their eyes are for four, high-efficiency, low-emissions, respectful of the land and uplifting for open to what is taught to them.” The forum is an alliance of 20 MPs coal-fired power stations. Their comments were backed by energy and other new clean enterpris- federal Resources Minister Matt Ca- oures. people. We want to invest in solar navan, who said energy costs were at against the nation’s energy policy. … Mr O’Dowd said the Monash Forum would use advertisements, flyers “We don’t want scraps from a corrupt Page 1011 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:29 • 19 June 2018

News this week ... from previous page be damaged and there will be severe ment clearly urged keeping most fossil fuels underground”. And in that small sentence he calls the bluff on most of health[in India]. impacts. There … is However a growing we funda are - what passes for climate action among seeingmentalism political coming restrictions from governments on NGOs nations and among fossil fuel compa-

But no one has been willing to face as feudal forces reassert themselves. … nies. … https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/ the fact that we have to leave more jun/14/big-oil-ceo-climate-change-reality-check-pope than 80% of known fossil fuel reserves Big Oil CEOs needed a climate change underground if we have any chance of reality check. The pope delivered has been willing to commit to leaving Bill McKibben, The Guardian, 14/06/2018 meetingthe coal andthe Parisoil and targets. gas in Nothe company earth, You kind of expect popes to talk about and almost no nation has been willing spiritual stuff, kind of the way you expect chefs to discuss spices or tree • Bill McKibben is the Schumann surgeons to make small talk about Distinguishedto make them Scholar do so. at … Middlebury College and the founder of the climate campaign 350.org The occasion was the gathering of Adrian Burragubba addresses the overhanging limbs. … Beyond Coal and Gas Jamboree. fossil fuel executives at the Vatican, Photo: Lock the Gate one of a series of meetings to mark the third anniversary of Laudato Si, his majestic encyclical on global warming. Interview: CSG on the Darling Downs permanent destruction of our Country The meetings were closed, but by all accounts big oil put forward its usual Karen Auty talks about the CSG water that corporationand culture, lookingor meagre to profithandouts from and the goes into the Chinchilla drinking water low paid dirty jobs that require us to anodyne arguments: any energy tran- supply, the health impacts on gasfield sition must be slow, moving too fast to residents, the visits by politicians and renewable energy would hurt the poor government reps who then do nothing to A feature of the Jamboree was reports help, the buyouts, the make good give up our human rights.” … by raising prices, and so forth. of victorious campaigns that were led agreements, the industry and its private by local groups, such as the Bentley In response, Francis graciously health service plus more. thanked the oil executives for attend- Recommended listening! Blockade and against AGL Gloucester, https://soundcloud.com/nwpa/karen-auty-interview- which were then taken up by nation- ing, and for “developing more careful 150318-in-chinchilla ally based non-government organi- approaches to the assessment of climate risk”. But then he got down to business. “Is it enough?” he asked. such as GetUp!, Stop Adani, 350.org, Lock thesations Gate, (NGOs) Galilee and Blockade campaign and groupsFront- one can answer that with certainty, “Willbut with we turneach themonth corner that in passes, time? Nothe International guests included Dr line Action Against Coal. … challenge of energy transition be- Vaishali Patil, a climate activist from comes more pressing.” Two and a half India. She [said] “Adani is known to be years after the Paris climate talks, he damaging the environment in India... pointed out, “carbon dioxide emissions when a new project is proposed the and atmospheric concentrations of Environmental Impact Statement greenhouse gases remain very high. (EIS) is sponsored by the company. This is disturbing and a cause for real So even if it uses low-grade coal from concern.” Indeed. Australia the EIS of future projects will not matter because Adani sanctions THE TOWN THAT SAID NO TO AGL the continued search for new fossil $25 plus $9 postage in Australia. their livelihood, agricultural land will What’sfuel reserves, really “worrying”,whereas the though, Paris agree “is - [email protected] it. … Thousands of fisherfolk will lose Fossil Fool Bulletin is emailed to subscribers every Tuesday. SACRIFICE ZONE https://knitting-nannas.org/bulletins.php Cloudcatcher Media’s SIGN UP for your FREE subscription feature-length film: battle E Past issues available to download D to save the Pilliga SAVING THE LAND, AIR AND WATER FOR THE KIDDIES https://vimeo.com/257444267 www.knitting-nannas.com