SPONSORED BYPage 1 •Fossil Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November Fool 2018

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 1:50 • 13 NOVEMBER 2018 Departmental advice ignored when Adani water scheme ticked off The Federal Department of Envi- ronment and Energy ignored advice from Agriculture and Water Resourc- es officials when it approved Adani’s bid to use billions of litres of Suttor River water without an environmen- tal impact statement (EIS). Freedom of Information documents, obtained by Lock the Gate Alliance, show that the Department of Agricul- ture and Water Resources said Adani’s North Galilee Water Scheme (NGWS) water resources. could have a significant impact on A submission from the department states unequivocally that ‘The depart- ment considers the proposed action a water resource, in relation to coal couldseam gashave development a significant and impact(s) large coal on development, protected under the Lock the Gate is calling for the environment minister to reverse a decision granting EPBC Act’. Adani 12.5 billion litres of Suttor River water, after an FOI request revealed the proposal ‘could have significant impact’ on water resources. Significant impact ignored reveal Adani has been given a free run of these documents, and reverse the Despite that advice, the Department of to dodge crucial water assessments decision on the North Galilee Water Environment and Energy went ahead against the advice of the Department Scheme and instead require a full envi- and ruled the NGWS was not likely to of Agriculture and Water Resources. ronmental impact assessment in light of this new information. - “This raises massive questions over sources and an environmental impact the decision by the Department of En- “We also want to see an urgent inquiry haveassessment a significant was not impact required. on water re vironment last month to allow Adani into how and why it is that advice from A second FOI document shows Geosci- to take 12.5 billion litres of river water these two crucial agencies was effec- ence Australia found that Adani failed to run their mine, without any envi- tively ignored,” she said. to consider Groundwater Dependent ronmental impact assessment. Ecosystems in their referral on the “What is the point of the Department Department tried to hide documents NGWS, despite a large number of GDEs of Agriculture and Water Resources Lock the Gate was initially refused being mapped in the project distur- making a submission if it can just be bance area. access to these documents under FOI completely ignored? by the DoEE, but submitted an internal Ellie Smith, spokesperson for Lock “We’re calling for the Minister for review of that decision, which led to the Gate, said: “These documents Environment to step in now, in light • Continued p2

• P 3: LNG & transport • P 4: Narrabri marches • SUBSCRIBE FREE lead emissions growth against Santos & CSG https://knitting-nannas.org/bulletins.php Page 2 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018

Adani: Environment dept ignored water advice Rising heat extreme threat to Gold Coast Dramatic increases in extreme heat days, combined with high humidity and the urban heat island effect present an increasing threat to the health and wellbeing of Gold Coast residents. The Australia Institute’s new HeatWatch initiative, which uses CSIRO–BoM modelling, shows that the number of extreme heat days (over 35ºC) experienced on the Gold Coast could increase up to thir- The Suttor River is hundreds of kilometres inland from Mackay, Queensland. ty times current levels. Up to almost half summer nights • Continued from p1 According to the ABC, it is an argu- ment the company stands by. could remain above 25 degrees by the documents being released. 2090. Principal Solicitor of the Environmen- Adani responds Dangerous levels of heat stress said “These new documents raise development’ relates to impacts on “Increasing temperatures combined talserious Defenders questions Ofiice as Qld, to why Sean the Ryan water with high humidity are likely to impacts of this project are not being “Thewater-resources definition of activities ‘large coal that mining form part of the process to extract coal,” an push many days each year to dan- thoroughly assessed under federal gerous levels of heat stress,” says laws. Adani spokesperson said in a state- ment. Mark Ogge, Principal Adviser at The “The water trigger contained in the Australia Institute. Environment Protection and Biodiver- “This assessment already occurred in 2015 through the Environmental “This will have serious implications designed to deal with actions involving Impact Statement process [for the for the tourism industry that is such sitylarge Conservation coal mining projectsAct was specificallywith a sig- Carmichael mine]. an important part of the Gold Coast economy. “The pipeline is considered associated “It’s there to protect Australia’s pre- “Humidity of 80% is common on the nificant impact on a water resource. infrastructure, which is not part of the cious water resources, and make sure coal-extraction process and therefore Gold Coast. When that is combined that coal projects that impact them are does not require assessment under the with 35-degree temperatures, it is thoroughly assessed at a federal level. water trigger.” considered extremely dangerous to people’s health and can be lethal. “It is concerning that, in these circum- Warwick Giblin of consultancy OzEnvi- stances, the Department of Environ- ronmental, told the ABC that argument In the past, there have been very ment and Energy has decided that the made no sense. few days over 35 degrees, but if we project, and its water impacts, do not don’t reduce emissions, that will require thorough assessment through “Unequivocally, there is no mine unless change. it has access to water and I think it’s an Environmental Impact Statement,” “The Gold Coast’s built environment he said. rather cute [to] suggest that somehow this project – which is only triggered increases extreme temperature Adani successfully argued its water because of this mine proposal – is a risks, creating an urban heat island project was a standalone one, and not separate project,” he said. effect. This traps and increases tem- part of a coal-seam-gas or large-coal- peratures even more, particularly mining development. at night.

Hot buildings without air-con a trap Friends of Felton “Most buildings in the region are dependent on air-conditioning. How a small farming community We know power plants fail in stood up to Big Coal and won heatwaves, increasing the risk of 3CR Community Radio The story of the success- blackouts. If this happens, people Earth Matters ful community campaign will be trapped in very hot buildings to stop Ambre Energy’s without air-conditioning. ‘Knitting Nanas against gas, coal coal-to-liquids operation and greed’, and other podcasts at Felton, on Queensland’s “Fortunately, this is not inevitable. about coal, oil and gas Darling Downs. CSIRO projections show that if we can be found at: take action and reduce emissions On sale via the page: we can prevent virtually all of these Rob McCreath author ($21 + P&P). https://www.3cr.org.au/earthmatters rises.” https://www.facebook.com/mccreathrob/ Page 3 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018 LNG and transport lead growth in Australian emissions: Audit The Australia Institute’s Climate & solar equal to more than double the increased emissions over the past Energy Program has released the current output from Liddell power two years. It’s a growing and highly latest National Energy Emissions station. emissions intensive industry that Audit for the electricity sector (The uses unreliable emissions reduction • Wholesale electricity prices appear Audit) covering September 2018. technology like carbon capture and to have peaked in most states as a storage. The Audit shows that Australia’s emis- surge of new renewables come on-line. sions continue to increase, being driv- “There has also been a relatively large “This audit makes clear exactly which en by growing LNG exports, greater increase in diesel used for rail trans- sectors of the Australian economy are diesel use in transport and increases in port. It is important to remember the lifters and which are the lean- agriculture and waste emissions that much of Australia’s rail activity is ers when it comes to climate pollution devoted to transporting huge volumes and emissions,” says Richie Merzian, of coal from mine to port. Key findings: Director of the Australia Institute’s • LNG exports have become one of the Climate and Energy Program. “Thanks to strong growth in renew- ables, wholesale electricity prices have largest drivers of Australia’s emissions. “Emissions in electricity are dropping, peaked and are expected to maintain The biggest single source of emissions but in nearly every other sector emis- their downward trajectory into the from LNG is at the Gorgon project in sions are on the rise. Western Australia, equivalent to half of future. If the Government is serious Australia’s national increase in emis- about lowering emissions and power sions last year. LNG highly emissions intensive prices then it needs to recognise and “Increased LNG exports have been one support the role of renewables and • The next two years will see continu- of the largest drivers of Australia’s storage in our energy market.” ing rapid growth in both wind and

Fixing the holes: LTG calls for mine rehab A new report estimates more than “We know that inadequate rehabilita- 1,200 new jobs could be generated in tion has far-reaching consequences, for but aiming to maximise progressive NSW if the state government was to example, the disturbed area of mines targetsrehabilitation, specific in to line each with mine industry operation implement mandatory progressive are a major source of particulate air best practice; rehabilitation targets. pollution, which is particularly discon- certing for those communities close to and mandating return of approximate densely populated areas”. rehabilitation shortfalls could fuel jobs •original Prohibit contours; final voids and waste dumps Thegrowth ‘Mind in thethe HunterGap: how Valley’ fixing report, mine Lock the Gate estimates that if the • Fix the weaknesses in the security from Lock the Gate, exposes the major NSW Government was to implement deposits system, ensuring there is suf- a 60% mandatory target for rehabili- which has left gaping holes in prime tation, a total of 1,223 jobs would be rehabilitationagricultural land deficit in the plaguing Hunter NSW, Valley. required over three years to rehabili- The full report is here: ficient money held for contingencies. tate 8,812 hectares of land. https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/lockthegate/pag- The report reveals the state’s nine es/5783/attachments/original/1541320114/3419_BOU- largest coal mines, all of which are Rick Humphries, Rehabilitation Coor- DI_ADANI_HOLES-9_lr.pdf?1541320114 located in the Hunter Valley, have col- dinator of Lock the Gate Alliance, said: lectively rehabilitated a meagre 30% “The rehabilitation shortfall in NSW of the land which they have disturbed, means that communities are likely with only 9,302 hectares of a 30,192 to end up living with the devastating hectare footprint under active rehabil- consequences of, and even footing the itation. bill for, unrehabilitated sites. Worst offenders: Ravensworth & Bengalla “NSW is missing out on a massive opportunity as a result – our estimates The worst offenders include the Ra- indicate there are thousands of jobs vensworth mine complex and the Ben- available if companies are forced to galla Mine which have rehabilitated meet rehabilitation targets. just 16.5% and 20.4% of the affected land respectively. “We’re calling for the NSW Govern- ment to introduce mandatory targets Gavin Mudd, Associate Professor in the to create jobs, spur new investment Department of Environmental Engi- and reduce air pollution. targets.” neering at RMIT University, said the report “paints a disconcerting picture Lock the Gate is calling on the NSW of rehabilitation in NSW coal mines Government to: which has been markedly inadequate • Introduce mandatory rehabilitation to date.” Page 4 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018 Narrabri marches against CSG, as Santos faces questions over water impact modelling A large crowd has marched through the streets of Narrabri to protest Santos’ coal seam gasfield, as the company faces tough questions from the state agency responsible for wa- ter resources over its groundwater impact modelling. Residents of Narrabri were joined by people from around the North West and beyond to highlight the results of recent door-knocking in Narrabri town that demonstrated overwhelm- ing support (97%) for renewable energy in the region and majority (55%) to Santos’ proposed

The event comes after the agency re- CSG gasfield. sponsible for managing water in NSW criticised Santos’ groundwater assess- ment for the Narrabri Gas Project, and asked for extensive further work to be done to understand the impact of the project on groundwater. sentiment in Commenting on Santos’ response to Narrabri, “We - kept hearing that partment of Industry – Water has said people want CSG, submissionsSantos’ modelling about “cannot the gasfield, be relied the De but what they upon for detailed impact prediction” want is jobs. The because it “has not demonstrated an door-knocking re- adequate understanding of baseline sults show people information and has not proposed in Narrabri are a suitable approach to monitoring, far more eager for modelling and management should the renewable energy project be approved.” than Santos’ risky Great Artesian Basin Protection Group Vice President, Coonamble farmer have energy, jobs Anne Kennedy, said the Department’s gasfield.and prosperity We can without CSG.” community’s fears that Santos had Lock the Gate responsebeen trying was to acut confirmation corners in itsof theassess - North West ment. Coordinator TOP: A banner made the Narrabri crowd’s feelings clear. “For us in Coonamble, it’s all about the Meg Leathart said Santos’ proposed ABOVE: Knitting Nannas and friends gave support. coal seam gas project tooth and nail: project presented Photos: Great Artesian Basin Protection Group, Facebook water.we can’t That’s afford why to compromisewe’re fighting our this pre - an unacceptable cious groundwater. I’m delighted that risk of long-term damage to the en- The protest march was supported by the Government agencies are starting participants of the ‘Spring into Pilliga’ to ask Santos the hard questions,” she vironment and the social fabric of the Narrabri region. event - a three day gathering in the said. forest that is expected to draw dozens “We’re marching with our friends “Santos has been caught out trying of people from around the state in sup- in Narrabri to show Santos and the to cut corners in the assessment of port of the local campaign against CSG. NSW Government that all of us in the the impact coal seam gas will have on North West are in this together, for our vitally important water resources,” she water, our communities and our kids’ said. futures.” “CSG is not needed or wanted in North SACRIFICE ZONE Boggabri farmer Sally Hunter said the West , and is certain- Cloudcatcher Media’s feature-length film: doorknocking results showed Santos ly far too risky in the precious Pilliga battle to save the Pilliga and the Government had misread forest.” https://vimeo.com/257444267 Page 5 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018 KNITTING NANNAS BECOME A REGULAR FEATURE IN BRISBANE

The Santos Brisbane HQ receives a visit from the Knitting Nannas each month, so the Nanna Dot makes a point in Brisbane. issue of coal seam gas and other fossil fuels is kept in the public eye. Brisbane Nannas are joined by some of the usual suspects from the Northern Rivers. They chat, knit, plot and entertain with songs and ukeleles.

SOCIAL MEDIA TAKES THE MICKEY OUT OF SCOMO’S BUS

Social media site ‘Lee Lin Chin for Wentworth – #PrimeChinister’ has been collecting up a swarm of memes about the Scomo bus that drove around north Queensland last week, while the Prime Minister flew between stops in a VIP jet. The memes covered many aspects of ’s prime ministership, and Fossil Fool Bulletin especially appreciated those related to the coal industry. Page 6 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018

David Rowe reproduced with permission: https://www.facebook.com/david.rowe.5070 Inside the news Adani has scaled down the number of jobs to be created if the mine

is now 1,500 – a far cry from the everoriginal gets 10,000 underway. touted, The although figure even Adani’s own economist had to

exaggeration. admit the larger figure was a huge Meanwhile, representatives of the Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) Korea to continue lobbying lenders not to traditionalfund the Carmichael owners flew Mine to , with three Korean banks already an- nouncing they won’t bankroll Adani (p7). BHP’s public image took another hit when an iron ore train went rogue in the Pilbara (p9). The train, comprising four loco’s and 268 fully laden wagons, travelled 92km at speeds of up to 160 kp/h – with- out the driver. It was derailed by FOSSIL FOOL remote control at a set of points. This joins BHP’s Samarco dam BULLETIN disaster in Brazil and the Ok Tedi pollution scandal in Papua New 50 Issues/year • Deadline – Guinea amongst the company’s mid-day Friday worst stuff-ups. Whistleblower, Simone Marsh, Tuesday, December 4, 6-8pm investigates the crony capitalism Griffith University, South Bank Campus behind the Gladstone LNG deba- Hosted by Human Rights Impact of cle; the history of how politicians Unconventional Gas kowtowed to the Duke of York-led British BG Group by pulling strings, PANELLISTS: shifting guidelines and ignoring public opinion to unlock prime Shay Dougall – Initial findings of farmland for fracking, on Michael- the International Permanent Peo- West.com (p11). Her article, titled ples’ Tribunal on Human Rights, ‘The Second British Invasion: how Fracking and Climate Change royal cronies and the gas debacle held in 2018 and a summary of took Australia for billions’, is a the witnesses testimonies from must-read. Australia THE TOWN THAT SAID NO TO AGL $25 plus $9 postage in Australia. MichaelWest.com also notes (p15), Dr Michelle Maloney – AELA http://thetownthatsaidnotoagl.com/ “The cartel which controls Aus- – Earth rights and the right to a tralia’s vast gas reserves has been healthy environment beating a path to the doors of the Revel Pointon – EDO Qld – How A struggle a Human Rights Act for Qld could against the the government has sallied forth help to empower Queenslanders imposition by Bigwith Four its feted accounting tax ‘crackdown’ firms lately; – infor to protect their health and the force of a truth, less of a crackdown than the health of their environment CSG industry. tweaking of a couple of loopholes in the failed tax they call the PRRT.” Aimee McVeigh – HRact4qld – on where the act is, what we tax and the tax giants are past-mas- can do to make it happen, how The PRRT remains a profit-based we can ensure these issues are E-BOOK by making big loans to themselves addressed in the Act. $3.99 from: ters at eliminating profits, mostly https://play.google.com/ https://store.kobobooks. store/books/details/ com/en-us/ebook/ Richard_Deem_Gas- - While the gasco’s complain, energy Free tickets at: ern-rivers and funelling profits overseas. https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/human-rights- gasfield-free-nsw-north minister Angus Taylor continues fracking-climate-change-tickets-51735409001 field_Free_NSW_Northern_ https://itunes.apple. Rivers?id=wjsdDQAAQBAJhttps://www.amazon.com. his attempts to cut power prices au/dp/B01H4WU0L0 free-nsw-northern/ (p13-15). com/au/book/gasfield- Page 7 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018 In the news this week This week Fossil Fool Bulletin has summarised 34,500 words of news for your convenience. Click on the links to view original articles. (Subscriptions may be required) THE ADANI SAGA https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-05/korean-banks- rule-out-backing-adani-mine/10463838 Korean banks tell traditional owners they won’t back Adani’s Queensland mega-mine Josh Robertson, ABC, 05/11/2018 Major Korean lenders have ruled out any role in funding Adani’s contentious Australian coal project, just months after the miner was reportedly in talks to win backing from lenders in Seoul. have secured pledges from a trio of Traditionallenders including owners the fighting Export-Import the mine Bank of Korea, a critical conduit for Korean lenders, which said it believed there was no longer any interest in the mega-mine. Anti-Adani representatives of the Wangan and Jagalingou (W&J) tradi- continue lobbying lenders, including tional owners will today fly to Korea to

Mirae Asset Daewoo, which refinanced Adani’s Queensland coal port in July. … https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/ the-adani-coal-mine-is-the-work-choices-of-this-genera- tion,12066

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-07/adani- https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/townsville/ The Adani coal mine is the work choices water-project-bypassed-full-assessment-against-ad- adani-job-guarantees-lost-in-townsville/news-story/ of this generation vice/10457670 a8a1c1e8f8ec5f07f7d7892632fda0a6 Simon Black, Independent Australia, 05/11/2018 Adani water project bypasses full Adani job guarantees lost in Townsville Despite being a mine, not a policy, the environmental impact assessment Sam Bidey, Townsville Bulletin, 08/11/2018 against advice seething rage we are seeing from the Townsville will remain a hub for Australian population at the continued Penny Timms & Michael Slezak, ABC, 07/11/2018 Adani’s Carmichael Project workforce insistence at driving the Adani coal The Federal Environment Department but past job guarantees have been lost. mine down our throats reminds me ruled against the advice of the Gov- increasingly of the mood of late 2005. Last week Adani Mining CEO Lucas ernment’s own water experts when Dow announced plans for an airstrip The Adani project is becoming a single deciding Adani’s North Galilee Water at the mine had been shelved meaning no cash investment would be required unfairness and contempt from politi- require a full environmental assess- from the Townsville and Rockhampton thingcians whothat unifiesinsist they people know and better embodies than Scheme,ment. in Central Queensland, did not their constituents and pander to big Documents obtained under Freedom “In the initial ramp up and construc- business at their expense, time and councils. … of Information (FOI) and provided tion phase there will be more than to the ABC by activist group Lock the 1500 direct jobs on the mine and rail This project is not only toxic, but it is Gate Alliance showed the Department time again. … project and thousands of indirect jobs also becoming a focal point for govern- of Agriculture and Water Resources especially in places like Rockhamp- ments’ refusal to take action on climate wrote to the Environment Department ton, Townsville, Mackay and the Isaac change and ignoring the Australian suggesting the project could activate people to pander to big coal compa- region,” Mr Dow said. … what is known as the “water trigger”. … nies. … Fossil Fool Bulletin is emailed to subscribers every Tuesday. ESIGN UP for your FREE subscription at https://knitting-nannas.org/bulletins.php D Page 8 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018 https://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/adani-re- https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/port-bot- veals-new-workforce-numbers-for-building-c/3570268/ tlenecks-threaten-28-billion-of-queensland-coal-ship- Hundreds of people, including dozens ments-to-indias-tata-steel/news-story/e433e12ecd- of protestors, turned out to the meet- 70b296362e47e94e393ea9 Revealed: Adani construction workforce ing in Mudgee to have their say on numbers scaled down Port bottlenecks threaten $2.8 billion of the Kepco mine, which is expected to Frazer Pearce, Gladstone Observer, Queensland coal shipments to India’s generate more than 6.5 million tonnes 08/11/2018 Tata Steel Glen Norris, Courier-Mail, 06/11/2018 The commission heard from more than Adani Mining will now need 1500 of coal per year. … 60 speakers, both for and against the workers for the initial “ramp up and Coal shipments to India valued at mine, as part of its decision-making construction phase” at its Carmichael $2.8 billion could be under threat Mine Project, with 500 of those staff because of worsening bottlenecks at believed to be coming from Rockhamp- The independent planning commission process to approve the mine. … is considering the revised plan and is Indian industrial giant Tata Steel says Queensland ports. expected to make a decision by the end There is still no start date locked in for it could be forced to look elsewhere ton. … of the year. for metallurgical coal if current delays funding for the mine. the mine as Adani continues to finalise There has been speculation that will Tata Steel chief executive T V Naren- https://www.couriermail.com.au/business/900m-coalm- were not sorted out. … ine-expansion-a-step-closer/news-story/ be locked in before Christmas. dran said of particular concern was b86a3877d1712011e919fc1050ca785e the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal near $900m coalmine expansion a https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/under-pressure- Mackay where the time period to send step closer adani-scales-down-its-coalmine-project a ship to India had blown out from 22 days to 44 days. Stephanie Bennett, Courier-Mail, 08/11/2018 Under pressure, Adani scales down its coalmine project Coal loading at the terminal has been After over a decade of legal wrangling, the $900 million expansion of the New Margaret Gleeson, Green Left Weekly, 08/11/2018 affected by maintenance in the past few months, with up to 40 ships an- - Strong support for climate action is chored offshore waiting to come into ling Downs is one step closer to getting adding to the nationwide pressure on Aclandthe green coalmine light. on Queensland’s Dar proponents of the controversial Adani the port. … recommended mining leases and https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5741064/mind-the- On November 1 new Adani chief gap-report-shows-disturbed-hunter-mine-areas-growin- Queensland’senvironmental Land authority Court beyesterday granted, coalmine in central Queensland. g/?cs=12 executive Lucas Dow (formerly of BHP subject to a number of conditions. Billiton) announced that its proposed A report has called for mandatory higher Court president Fleur Kingham, who - progressive mine rehabilitation targets described the decade-long applica- lee Basin would be “scaled down” and Joanne McCarthy, Newcastle Herald, 05/11/2018 tion to expand the mine as “tortuous”, mega“staged”. coalmine for Queensland’s Gali highlighted issues including noise Eight of the Hunter region’s largest limit conditions and investigation of Dow was coy about a starting date coal mines will disturb more land than potential burial sites of children on the saying it was “not too far away”. Asked they rehabilitate in the next few years, says a report calling for mandatory progressive rehabilitation targets to about the still-to-be-secured finance, land. … reduce escalating air pollution prob- https://www.smh.com.au/environment/sustainability/ he gave the same reply. … inexplicable-power-plants-pollution-limits-weak-by-world- COAL ROCKS ON lems and create jobs. standards-20181106-p50ec8.html https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-05/coal-mine-re- NSW taxpayers face an increasing risk habilitation-cost-could-hit-taxpayers/10463302 ‘Inexplicable’: Power plants’ pollution as the shortfall in mine rehabilitation limits weak by world standards Coal mine rejuvenation bill could be left escalates under a system where mines set their own targets and there are Peter Hannam, SMH, 08/11/2018 with NSW taxpayers little or no penalties for failure, said Greg Miskelly, ABC, 05/11/2018 RMIT University Department of Envi- power stations in NSW are so weak Taxpayers could one day be slugged ronmental Engineering Associate Pro- Pollutionthat they arecontrols comparable for major to “fairlycoal-fired un- hundreds of millions of dollars to fessor Gavin Mudd in his report, Mind der-developed third world countries”, the Gap, released by Lock the Gate on a US energy expert says. coal-mining pits, with a new report Dr Ron Sahu, a California-based air backfill some of Australia’s biggest quality consultant, said the environ- rejuvenated properly. Monday. … https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-07/bylong-valley- ment protection licences (EPLs) at finding less than a third have been coal-mine-divides-locals/10472766 The report, from environmental group the Mt Piper, Eraring and Vales Point Lock the Gate, reviewed published Bylong Valley coal mine in Mudgee data from nine major coal mines. divides farmers and locals during Dr Sahu was commissioned by Envi- plants were “very weak”. … It found collectively less than a third planning meeting ronmental Justice Australia to examine of their disturbed lands have been Liv Casben, ABC, 07/11/2018 the three power plants, all of which restored with new soil and vegetation, will have the EPLs reviewed by the Environmentalists and farmers at an in- leaving an area bigger than the Royal Environment Protection Authority by dependent planning commission were locked in disagreement over a proposed South Korean-owned coal mine in By- January 2019. … National Park unrehabilitated. … long Valley, north-east of Mudgee. Page 9 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018

hopped out to inspect a wagon near on the loose, it covered 92km – giving MINING MAYHEM Hester siding. it an average speed over that period of https://thewest.com.au/business/mining/bhp-de- rails-268-car-pilbara-train-which-travelled-92km-with- just over 110km/h. - But the train took off from the siding before the driver could get back on But given the substantial amount of out-driver-ng-b881012020z?fbclid=IwAR2s8ntUN1dfx BHP1GmNu2bIneNeKSMfCe54RDTjhGO_PQIFBKiUJjfFIZSP7g derails 268-car Pilbara iron ore time it takes for the monster trains to train which travelled 92km build up speed, there are estimates board. … the train would have reached speeds without driver https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-06/inves- tigators-visit-runaway-bhp-iron-ore-train-derail- of as much as 160km/h – double the Peter Milne, West Australian, 05/11/2018 ment-site/10469802 top operating speeds normally seen BHP deliberately derailed a runaway BHP runaway iron ore train left a twisted among the Pilbara trains – by the time Pilbara iron train carrying 268 wagons wreck after derailment stopped it early today after it travelled 92km reaching WA town BHP is also facing potentially millions across the Pilbara without a driver. it derailed. … Emily Piesse, ABC, 07/11/2018 The Australian Transport Safety breached national rail safety laws. And Rail safety investigators have arrived Bureau said about 4am the driver ofthen dollars there in is fines the reputational if it is found damto have- at the site of a deliberate train derail- of a loaded ore train travelling from age to BHP, which is still working to ment in Western Australia’s Pilbara Newman to Port Hedland alighted to recover from the 2015 disaster at its region, a day after a runaway train inspect a wagon. brought iron ore miner BHP’s rail net- The bureau said the train, consisting Samarco joint venture in Brazil. … https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/png-begins- of four locomotives and 268 wagons, new-legal-action-over-ok-tedi-mine/news-story/06dc- started to run away without the driver work to a halt. … f594a46467da813580a3b816f7d5 https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-en- and with no one on board, travelling ergy/bhp-runaway-iron-ore-train-in-pilbara-raises- for 92km. safety-concern/news-story/6275fc1d3a8d9a323e58f- PNG begins new legal action over 1020385f7ee Ok Tedi mine BHP then stopped the train by delib- How BHP’s rogue ore train went Ben Butler, The Australian, 07/11/2018 erately derailing it at a set of points off the rails about 120 km from Port Hedland. Papua New Guinea has launched legal Paul Garvey, The Australian, 10/11/2012 action in Australia, opening a new A BHP spokeswoman said no one was In the early hours of Monday morning, front in a long-running stoush over just before sunrise, BHP’s remote op- control of a $US1.4 billion ($1.94bn) fund related to the controversial Ok injured … erations centre in the heart of Perth’s https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-05/run- CBD was in crisis. Tedi copper and gold mine, the scene away-bhp-train-deliberately-derailed-near-port-hed- land/10467616 of one of the 20th century’s worst A massive, fully laden iron ore train ecological disasters. Runaway BHP train deliberately derailed was out of control and hurtling across the Pilbara without anyone at the - near Port Hedland after travelling 92km preme Court a week ago, PNG accuses with no driver controls, at speeds well above anything seen in the region before. Inthe a PNGclaim Sustainable filed with theDevelopment Victorian Su ABC, 05/11/2018 Program of breaking the rules under The safety measures designed to which it was set up by changing the A runaway train laden with iron ore bring the train to a safe halt in such has been deliberately derailed by BHP rules to allow its board to appoint di- circumstances had failed, and now the rectors and by spending about $US48 after it travelled for more than 90 runaway train was careering towards kilometres without a driver in WA’s million on administrative and explora- remote Pilbara region. Port Hedland. … In 1984, when BHP built Ok Tedi on The Australian Transport Safety Bu- used their computers to “throw the tion expenses. … reau (ATSB) said the fully laden train, Frompoints” the and Perth switch office, the the speeding operators train made up of four locomotives and 268 Western Province, it did not construct to a different line, triggering the derail- difficulta tailings mountainous dam to store terrain waste from in PNG’s the wagons, was travelling from the min- ment. ing town of Newman to Port Hedland giant mine, instead pumping sludge at 4:40am on Monday, when the driver During the 50 minutes the train was directly into the river. The tens of millions of tonnes of tail- A widely-published image of the BHP train wreck. Photo: IMGUR ings discharged into the river every year over the next two decades killed

economy and sparking a large-scale fish and trees, devastating the area’s

lawsuit by locals against BHP. …

CONTACT FFB: Email [email protected]

with your comments & tips Page 10 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018 https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/ access-to-drinking-water-one-of-the-top-two-challenges- But levels of the potentially carcino- facing-the-world-bhp-boss/news-story/5c5053db5f4c4cb- the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, 62561314c871f1d24 TheMining QRC and also Energy sent a Union joint letter (CFMMEU) with chemicals in livestock reared in the Access to drinking water one of the top to cabinet members, which said the genicarea and per- sold and to poly-fluoroalkyl the general public [PFAS] two challenges facing the world: two bodies could not support the gov- remains an area of “uncertainty”, BHP boss according to risk assessments released Matt Chambers & Luke Griffiths, Earlier, Greens MP Michael Berkman ernment’s proposed amendments. … The Australian, 08/11/2018 called on Labor not to buckle to pres- by Defence on Wednesday. … BHP chief Andrew Mackenzie says sure and weaken reforms. absence of any blood test results for Thehumans report and … livestock acknowledged was a “datathat the gap” a growing population and, possibly, “It’s time to pick a side: are you with climate change are making access to the mining billionaires or with every- drinking water one of the top two chal- lenges facing the world (along with in the investigation. … The government amendments were global warming), and that the mining day Queenslanders?” he asked. … HYDROGEN PLAN due to go before cabinet on Monday, http://leader.smedia.com.au/mornington-pen- industry should treat water policy as insula/shared/ShowArticle.aspx?doc=LM- with the bill to be debated next week. PL%2F2018%2F11%2F06&entity=Ar00908&sk=D- seriously as climate, safety and tailings - 1L9MwaFTpvoUxe2gPFphOkxykxwm8 12F6A5E&fbclid=IwAR3IPRZ3lHYCeeXPoNUqDw80isE_YX Tailings dams are front of mind for the dams policy. … PFAS POISON Hastings pipeline project furore industry after the tailings dam burst https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-07/pfas-contami- Christian Tatman, Leader (Mornington at BHP’s half-owned Samarco iron ore nation-warning-near-richmond-raaf-base/10473326 Peninsula), 08/11/2018 mine in Brazil, killing 19 people and PFAS contamination near Richmond causing widespread environmental Moves to fast track a hydrogen pipeline damage. Air Base prompts egg and meat project including a terminal at Hast- consumption warning ings have been slammed by environ- Kathleen Calderwood, ABC, 07/11/2018 mentalists and Mornington Peninsula https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/queensland/the- Shire Council. mining-industry-and-powerful-cfmmeu-join-forces-on-mining- - Residents near the Richmond Air Base should reduce their intake of locally Planning Minister Richard Wynne has reforms-20181109-p50f5j.html?fbclid=IwAR2HTc-ffgDzMWw written to Mayor Bryan Payne inform- The0f99xxrzNQjeuV8SwyhKTFMoTCRJP3ojRr9uj4IS8sgQ mining industry and powerful red meat because of PFAS contamina- ing him of the move. CFMMEU join forces on mining reforms caughttion, the fish Department and locally of grown Defence eggs has and Mr Wynne wrote the Shire’s planning Felicity Caldweall, Brisbane Times, 09/11/2018 warned. rules would be bypassed and its plan- The Air Force started phasing out the ning scheme effectively amended to a powerful union have joined forces to enable the project. Thepressure Queensland the state mining Labor industry government and and is now undertaking a national re- This will allow the land northeast of to make changes to planned reforms useview of of the its firefighting impact on the chemical environment in 2004 Bayview Rd Hastings to be developed that will force miners to clean-up their into a hydrogen liquefaction and load- sites. The Human Health Risk Assessment ing terminal as part of the Hydrogen around bases. … Earlier this week, the Brisbane Times released today says people living in the Energy Supply Chain Pilot Project. area should limit their intake of locally Mr Wynne said he took the action at were holding daily talks with the grown eggs and red meat, and locally reported state government officials the proponents. Save Western Port amendments to the Mineral and Ener- the chemical. themember urging Louise of GHD, Page a firm said acting Mr Wynne’s for Queenslandgy Resources Resources (Financial Council Provisioning) over caught fish to reduce their exposure to The report said people living in the decision showed complete disregard bill, amid mining industry concerns for the community and the sensitive about retrospectivity that could affect investigation area around the air base existing mines, and aspects of a public should not eat more than 24 eggs interest test. per month, 50 serves of red meat per However, a spokesman for Mr Wynne bay environment. … said it was only a small research pilot, Miners would have to pay, according to month that have been grown or caught “no larger than a house block”, aimed risk, into a pool of funds that would be monthlocally. orThat 12 amount servings is of smaller fin fish for per at testing low-carbon hydrogen tech- used to clean up land. nology over 12 months. It came after it was revealed taxpay- “It is certainly not a hydrogen export ers may have to pay up to $40 million children. … https://www.smh.com.au/national/chemical-risk-at-rich- plant,” the spokesman said. “The use of in clean-up costs after the collapse p50eme.html hydrogen as a potential zero emissions mond-sparks-warning-on-meat-eggs-and-fish-20181107- fuel of the future remains a long term, Chemical risk at Richmond sparks experimental project — that is why of Clive Palmer’s Queensland Nickel warning on meat, eggs and fish research is needed.” refinery in Townsville. Resources Council chief executive Ian Carrie Fellner, SMH, 07/11/2018 OnMacfarlane Friday afternoon, wrote to all Queensland 93 state MPs to People living on toxic land surround- say the industry was “deeply con- ing the Richmond RAAF Base have cerned” the government’s proposed been warned the consumption of large amendments had the “potential to be amounts of locally-grown meat, eggs retrospective” and would “therefore risk to their health. and fish could pose an unacceptable put Queensland’s multibillion-dollar resources industry at risk”. … Page 11 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018

https://www.michaelwest.com.au/the-second-british-inva- sion-how-royal-cronies-and-the-gas-debacle-took-austra- Last month the Senate’s environment GAS, GAS, GAS - committee released the results of a https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/ hE4hfBpAWTHpuI2gyxTVUKCT8qRsTi4mo nov/03/-to-spring-unexpected-tax-hike-on-off- lia-for-billions/?fbclid=IwAR3z7P6ry6D5-lrecpob4rz1tH year-long inquiry looking at water use shore-gas-industry The Second British Invasion: how royal by extractive industries such as mining Coalition to spring unexpected tax hike cronies and the gas debacle took and coal seam gas. on offshore gas industry Australia for billions Several individuals raised concerns Gareth Hutchens, The Guardian, 03/11/2018 Sally McDow, Michaelwest.com, 05/11/2018 during the inquiry about unsustain- able water extraction by coal seam gas The booming offshore gas industry will companies working within the Great be hit with an unexpected tax hike af- that BG Group’s gas bonanza has de- ter the revealed Senatelivered Estimatesdiddly-squat confirmed to Australia last monthin tax – despite claims it would contribute The Senate committee concluded that plans to change the tax treatment for Artesian Basin. … some existing oil and gas projects. “more than $1 billion”. Whistleblow- current Australian regulations did not er, Simone Marsh, investigates the properly value groundwater reserves, Treasurer says the crony capitalism behind the Gladstone - government hopes to raise an extra debacle; the history of how politicians ducers. $6bn in revenue over the next 10 years kowtowed to the Duke of York-led which are crucial to Queensland pro It also found that water use estimates by changing the settings of the petro- British BG Group by pulling strings, for mining and gas activities did not leum resource rent tax (PRRT). shifting guidelines and ignoring public account for the long-term impacts of He said tax changes are a response to opinion to unlock prime farmland for recommendations from the Callaghan fracking. Last Friday state Natural Resources review of the PRRT regime, which Marsh raises new questions about water extraction. … Minister Dr Anthony Lynham an- was initiated in 2016 by former prime the timing of the spill of former Prime minister Malcolm Turnbull to address nounced more than 6,600 square concerns that were not kilometres of land would be opened being properly compensated for use of • Simone Marsh was an environment specialist andMinister regulator Kevin of mining Rudd. activities … in both their natural resources by large oil and public and private sectors for over a decade. In 2010 she was called in to draft sections of for gas exploration in Queensland’s the Queensland Coordinator-General’s EIS Bowen and Surat Basins. … Dr Malcolm Roberts, the chief ex- https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/major-oil- gas projects. … evaluation report for the world’s first onshore spill-off-australia-s-coast-would-dwarf-deepwater- ecutive of the Australian Petroleum unconventional gas to LNG projects. horizon-disaster-documents-show-20181103-p50dry. Production & Exploration Associa- - tion (Appea), said the government’s html?fbclid=IwAR1mkff-k3_1DTDPPG-Pb7hKrw8k_4dcV https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-ener- MajorcyMJRm9Go_GSn7BYbUJrtDQTEg oil spill off Australia’s coast would proposed changes to the treatment gy/origin-makes-35b-csg-deal-with-shells-arrow/news-sto- of exploration costs were “troubling”, ry/c667c38a39dbc255df0a4b3e0f81c657 dwarf Deepwater Horizon disaster, given exploration has fallen to historic Origin makes $3b CSG deal with documents show Shell’s Arrow Nicole Hasham, SMH, 04/11/2018 low levels. … Matt Chambers, The Australian, 05/11/2018 A worst-case oil spill in the Great https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-ener- Australian Bight would be twice the gy/chevron-aiming-to-lift-lng-output/news-story/9b1d3f- 17d155e0d9a855f582c4233aa0 scale of the Gulf of Mexico disaster, has signed a deal to buy about $3 and rough seas and a lack of suitable billion worth of coal seam gas from Chevron aiming to lift LNG output Origin Energy’s Australia Pacific LNG equipment risk delaying the response Perry Williams, The Australian, 05/11/2018 Shell and agreed to toll-treat gas from Shell’s Arrow joint venture with Petro- Energy giant Chevron intends to boost Documents released under freedom of effort, confidential plans show. gas production from its Gorgon and plant. information laws reveal the potential Wheatstone LNG plants in Western China at APLNG’S onshore Queensland dangers involved in drilling for oil in The deal, which is conditional on Ar- Australia as it lifts returns after the the wild, isolated seas off the South - two mega-projects cost $US88 billion Australian coast – a move Resources ($122bn) to bring online. Minister Matt Canavan last week said row reaching a final investment deci was a “national priority” that would The facilities, which account for about Warwick King last month warned that sion on development of its Queensland secure Australia’s fuel supplies. a quarter of Australia’s LNG capaci- CSG fields, comes after APLNG chief - ty, have now overcome construction pin long LNG contracts are not produc- Norwegian energy giant Equinor plans the Queensland CSG fields that under to explore for oil in the Great Austra- lian Bight and insists it can be done delays and the oil major has flagged a ing as well as had been expected. … safely. Critics say the venture is too https://www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au/sto- desire to lift output. … ry/5740879/basin-backers-welcome-senate-report-in- risky and an oil spill in the pristine running reliably, we’re focusing on - “With all five Australian LNG trains region would damage coastal com- add production and enhance reliabili- to-coal-seam-gas/?cs=4698&fbclid=IwAR222e4sOwwAy munities and devastate marine life, HLlxHdKNl4DVaK5nHOF1JclJVdClAiX3ksfg_5P1bieUEkBasin Sustainability Alliance welcomes finding opportunities to incrementally including endangered southern right water use in extractive industries report ty,” Chevron chief financial officer Pat Steven Trask, Qld Country Life, 05/11/2018 Greenpeace Australia senior cam- whales. … Yarrington said. … A grassroots movement concerned paigner Nathaniel Pelle said [the] about the impact of coal seam gas de- plans showed the massive challenges involved in drilling in the bight. has been buoyed by the recent release “No oil company knows what to expect velopmentsof a joint parliamentary on Queensland report. agriculture Page 12 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018 in terms of pressures and tempera- nel, amid fears skippers are playing business,” the Treasurer said in a tures beneath the sea bed ... which chicken with huge vessels. statement. makes the risk of an accident excep- Over the weekend police issued a tional when compared to drilling in under the formal process within two existing oil provinces,” he said. anchored in the channel, which is “I intend to make a final decision “Not only is there a greater than nor- numberprohibited of $350because fines it canto fishermen prevent a The takeover had been approved by mal risk of an accident, but ... respond- speedy getaway when larger ships weeks. … the Australian Competition and Con- approach. sumer Commission, but Mr Frydenberg and probably impossible before severe In one incident, police say a number acknowledged the “concentration of ing to it would be incredibly difficult of small vessels were anchored in the foreign ownership” was not a question path of a 300-metre, 130,000-tonne damage is already done.” … https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-ener- gas tanker. gy/lng-review-threat-to-oil-and-gas-companies/news-sto- ry/beb73943e1a8855fef18bd4a3485d76b considered by the watchdog. … Sergeant John Pini said the channel https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-ener- gy/woodside-extends-life-of-nw-shelf/news-story/224b- LNG review threat to oil and gas had become busier since shipments of 722f9ec1680cfcbbb5db661e2409 companies regularly moving through the harbour, Woodside extends life of NW Shelf Matt Chambers, The Australian, 06/11/2018 gas from the INPEX Icthys plant began Paul Garvey, The Australian, 08/11/2018 Josh Frydenberg’s planned review of The Woodside Petroleum-led North LNG transfer pricing as part of an over- bound for Japan. … https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-07/chi- haul of the petroleum resource rent nese-backed-takeover-of-australian-gas-likely-to-be- blocked/10475004 looks set to operate for decades to tax is looming as a bigger concern for Westcome Shelfafter liquefiedthe project’s natural partners gas plant oil and gas companies than $6 billion Federal Government set to block struck long-awaited agreements to of deduction clampdowns announced Chinese company’s takeover of bring in gas from third parties. last week, analysts say, warning it Australian gas network could delay projects and reduce future earnings. Andrew Probyn & Jane Norman, ABC, 07/11/2018 partners in the North West Shelf had A multi-billion-dollar Chinese-backed Woodsidesigned non-binding yesterday preliminary said it and its agree five- Analysts say an associated review of ments to process gas from the Browse transfer pricing rules will create un- takeover of more than half of Austra- lia’s gas pipeline network looks likely to be blocked by the Morrison Govern- LNG plant on Western Australia’s Bur- and Clio-Acme gas fields through the certainty over the next 18 months. … ment. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-06/dar- Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said his ships/10469286 rup peninsula. … “preliminary view” was that CK Asset https://thewest.com.au/business/energy/woodside-chev- win-boaters-hit-with-fines-for-playing-chicken-with- ron-deal-for-north-west-shelf-to-process-browse-and-clio- Water police crack down on skippers Holdings Limited’s proposed $13 acme-gas-ng-b881014457z billion purchase of APA Group was anchored in harm’s way in busy Darwin Woodside, Chevron deal for North West shipping channel Shelf to process Browse and “I have formed this view on the Jesse Thompson, ABC, 07/11/2018 against the national interest. … Clio-Acme gas grounds that it would result in an Darwin water police have cracked undue concentration of foreign own- Peter Milne, West Australian, 07/11/2019 ership by a single company group in Woodside’s growth plans have taken in the harbour’s busy shipping chan- a step forward with the North West down on recreational fishers anchored Shelf joint venture reaching prelimi- Northern Territory Police say recreational fishersour most anchoring significant in the gas shipping transmission channel, nary agreements to process LNG for obstructing LNG tankers, are an accident waiting to happen. Photo: NT Police the Woodside-led Browse project and

The non-binding agreements signed Chevron’s Clio-Acme field. yesterday are a step towards keep-

Karratha gas plant operating at full ingcapacity the five as gasLNG supply trains fromof the the NWS NWS

joint venture’s own fields decline early next decade. … https://www.ntnews.com.au/business/chief-minister-mi- chael-gunner-chasing-more-gas-investment-from-japan/ news-story/d5c250456a57bb555868824a9c5e853d Chief Minister Michael Gunner chasing more gas investment from Japan Hayley Sorensen, NT News, 05/11/2018

out of Darwin now powering Japa- Withnese homes,gas from the Inpex’s Territory first is shipment courting Japanese investment in its onshore gas Page 13 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018 industry which has the potential to FOSSIL POLITICS - dwarf the $54 billion Ichthys project. https://reneweconomy.com.au/taylor-confirms-race-eral-election-92029/?utm_source=RE+Daily+News- https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2018/11/fossil-fu- is-on-to-get-new-coal-or-gas-finalised-before-fedletter&utm_campaign=b023c975c2-EMAIL_CAM- els-industry-taxes-us-death-literally/ PAIGN_2018_11_07_01_01&utm_medium=email&utm_ter- Chief Minister Michael Gunner is in m=0_46a1943223-b023c975c2-40461137 Tokyo on a brief victory lap to mark How the fossil fuels industry taxes us the successful completion of the gas Taylor confirms race is on to get new to death – literally coal or gas finalised before federal By Phil Soos, Macrobusiness, 06/11/2018 election plant’s construction phase. … Australia’s climate change culture war Giles Parkinson, RenewEconomy, 07/11/2018 https://www.ntnews.com.au/business/japanese-gas-gi- ant-inpex-keen-to-frack-the-northern-territory/news-sto- is a hideous spectacle. Despite the ob- ry/70f346c8d4866619b247ac5be8d37ce8 Energy minister Angus Taylor has vious reality of human-caused climate made his intentions clear: Underwrite change and the urgent need to act, the Japanese gas giant Inpex keen to frack investment in new coal or gas genera- powerful fossil fuels industry (FFI) has the Northern Territory tion before the next election is called. captured the Coalition Government Hayley Sorensen, NT News, 06/11/2018 Because he knows it won’t happen under what he calls a Labor/Greens Japanese gas giant Inpex is keen to their soon-to-be stranded assets. to wring the last dollar of profit from frack the Northern Territory. The Coalition has proudly undone policies designed to mitigate climate government. … https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/ Darwin gas plant back to the port city change, notably in scrapping the nov/06/angus-taylor-to-try-and-cajole-energy-retailers-in- Gasof Niigata is expected in Japan to flowfor at from least Inpex’s the next carbon pricing scheme and reducing to-lowering-power-prices-before-election the federal Renewables Energy Tar- Angus Taylor to try and cajole energy get (RET). These government actions retailers into lowering power prices Now the company has turned its atten- were driven by willful ignorance, lavish 40 years. … before election campaign contributions and the per- With the $54 billion Ichthys project sistent revolving door between govern- Katharine Murphy, The Guardian, 07/11/2018 tions onshore, to the Beetaloo Basin. … now complete, Inpex chief executive The energy minister, Angus Taylor, will Takayuki Ueba said the company was - “very interested” in exploiting the Ter- ment and industry delivering financial ings about the Morrison government’s reward and influence to those eager to ritory’s onshore gas reserves. Philip Soos is an independent econo- hostcontroversial the first ofplans two tostakeholder underwrite brief new act against the common good. … Inpex already has exploration rights in mist and PhD candidate investigating investments in power generation, and the Beetaloo. bank crime and mortgage control also attempt to cajole retailers into fraud. delivering out-of-cycle power price reductions before the next federal elec- increase its LNG trains in Darwin from Mr Ueba also flagged the potential to - cial-criticises-angus-taylor-over-extraordinary-coal-protec- https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/former-offition-measure-20181106-p50ebw.html tion. … https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/ two to six. … nov/07/angus-taylor-fails-to-get-price-cut-commitment- NUKE MADNESS Former official criticises Angus Taylor from-energy-retailers https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/nu- over ‘extraordinary’ coal protection clear-waste-site-to-remain-a-mystery-at-federal-election/ measure Angus Taylor fails to get price cut news-story/af6a30c2fcd294fcbbaef37676faf1a5 commitment from energy retailers Nicole Hasham & Cole Latimer, SMH, 07/11/2018 Nuclear waste site to remain a mystery Katharine Murphy, The Guardian, 07/11/2018 at federal election A potential Morrison government - Power retailers have advanced a pro- Luke Griffiths, The Australian, 05/11/2018 er projects from the future costs of posal to standardise comparison rates movetheir carbon to shield emissions new coal-fired amounts pow to a for all customers but have given no waste dump will not be announced taxpayer-funded subsidy and would be undertakings they will lower prices by Thebefore location the federal of Australia’s election, first extending nuclear an “extraordinary” and “irresponsible” January, during a roundtable with the the uncertainty for those living near move, the former chief of the federal energy minister, Angus Taylor. proposed sites, Rex Patrick says. Taylor has claimed Wednesday’s The Centre Alliance senator said the Oliver Yates, former chief executive of talks as a win because retailers government’s green bank says. … government’s selection process, which the Clean Energy Finance Corporation had proposed voluntary action during started in 2014, had been shrouded in and a veteran Liberal Party member, “constructive discussions” by offering “Soviet-style” secrecy and had divided told Fairfax Media that the government up a standardised rate, making it eas- communities. was effectively “subsidising a coal- ier for consumers to “compare apples with apples” when they shop around He said Labor must reveal how it its carbon risk. would proceed, given the “real possi- fired power station” if it underwrites The energy retailers were warned by bility” it would form government after “The government is going to expose between retailers for the best deal. … the election. itself to a risk that the private sector their legal advisers not to provide any wouldn’t take,” Mr Yates said. undertakings about pricing behaviour Two sites near Kimba, 465km north- during the meeting because of the risk west of Adelaide, and one site near “If [Mr Taylor] thinks the taxpayer of contraventions of competition law, Hawker in South Australia’s mid-north should take a risk that the private and some say privately any concrete sector is unwilling to take then that’s action on pricing by 1 January is a very extraordinary ... Is it irresponsible for tall order given the way pricing cycles have been shortlisted. … the government to take that risk? In

work in the energy sector. … this circumstance it is.” … Page 14 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018 https://reneweconomy.com.au/industry-wants- capacity-payments-as-taylor-pushes-for-new-24- 7-power-24619/?utm_source=RE+Daily+News- letter&utm_campaign=830a981631-EMAIL_CAM- PAIGN_2018_11_08_03_39&utm_medium=email&utm_ter- m=0_46a1943223-830a981631-40461137 Industry wants capacity payments, as Taylor pushes for new “24/7” power Giles Parkinson, RenewEconomy, 08/11/2018 Big generators and other players in Australia’s energy markets are using energy minister Angus Taylor’s search for new “24/7” base-load power gen- eration, and his preference for coal and gas investments, as an opportunity to push for so-called “capacity” payments in the market. Taylor, on Wednesday, held two meet- out well, with the big retailers reject- Businessman Mike Cannon-Brookes has challenged Scott Morrison’s ‘fair dinkum power’ slogan with a brand and logo to campaign for renewable energy. ingsing his with demands industry. that The they first cut didn’t the level turn of standing offers, agreeing only on the formulation of “comparison rates” that around renewable energy ahead of Mr Brown said it was taking the Gov- a consumer might be better able to the upcoming election, with the aim ernment months to draft new legisla- comprehend. to move Australia to “200 per cent tion because the intent of the laws was There was more engagement with Taylor’s second meeting of the day – to renewable energy”. … unconstitutional. … get feedback on the Coalition govern- up after seeing Prime Minister Scott https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/ state-politics/jackie-trad-threatens-to-hit-miners-for-bil- ment’s equally controversial proposal MrMorrison Cannon-Brookes use the term said “fair he dinkumgot fired lions/news-story/006ccde6afd4a685d5b9255a55b203c2 to underwrite new investment in power” – which he believes was “dispatchable generation”, which he code for coal power – and decided Jackie Trad threatens to hit miners to “reclaim” the phrase by creating a for billions many fear is a de-facto call to extend movement of the same name. Perry Williams & Matt Chambers, The Australian, 08/11/2018 definesthe life ofas ageing 24/7 power, coal generators, and which or What started as a tweet last week soon became a brand with its own website, Thousands of jobs and investment Several people told RenewEconomy logo and even printed t-shirts. could be at risk as the nation’s biggest even investment in new facilities. … miners face the threat of a $20 bil- the conversation was dominated by Mr Cannon-Brookes said the initiative Trevor St Baker, the co-owner of the lion bill to retrospectively cover the clean-up of mines under legal changes Vales Point coal powered station in “move the conversation to a pro-re- NSW that Sunset Power picked up for a aimed to influence public debate and Jackie Trad. proposed by Queensland Treasurer St Baker is playing an increasingly newable stance”. … Ms Trad and the state’s big miners, bargain. … https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-07/anti-protest- prominent role in the national energy laws-delay-due-to-high-court-says-bob-brown/10470380 which include BHP, Anglo American, debate, addressing the Monash Forum Peabody and Glencore, are engaged in of the Coalition’s coal-enthusiasts, and Anti-protest law delay due to Liberals’ tense negotiations over amendments echoing their and Taylor’s concerns inability to beat High Court ruling, Bob to the Mineral and Energy Resources about the level of “intermittent” wind Brown says Ellen Coulter, ABC, 07/11/2018 imposts on existing mines. Bill, which could impose financial and solar on the grid. … More than a year after the Tasmanian https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-07/mike-can- Government’s controversial anti-pro- Council are understood to be furious at non-brookes-calls-government-to-reinstate-carbon- price/10474702 test laws were shot down in the High Minersthe changes and the and Queensland considering Resources a public Court, the Liberals are yet to unveil the campaign against the bill ahead of the Mike Cannon-Brookes, Atlassian new legislation they promised in the legislation being introduced to cabinet billionaire, calls on Government to lead-up to the state election. reinstate carbon price The 2014 laws allowed police to stop on Monday. … ABC, 07/11/2018 https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-en- protests before they had started if they ergy/canavan-canes-crazy-changes-to-queensland-min- were on a business premises or an ing-bill-warns-billions-of-investment-at-risk/news-story/ Atlassian co-founder Mike Can- e3318e85e07fab85f818bc1977994e2e non-Brookes has called for Australia access area, and allowed on-the-spot to reinstate the controversial car- Canavan canes ‘crazy’ changes to for second offences. Queensland mining bill, warns billions of fines for protesters as well as jail time government policy with his new green But environmentalist Bob Brown chal- investment at risk energy campaign. bon price, as he pushes to influence lenged the laws and in 2017 the High Perry Williams & Jared Owens, The Australian, Mr Cannon-Brookes said the “move- Court found they were at odds with the 08/11/2018 ment”, dubbed Fair Dinkum Power, implied right to freedom of political Billions of dollars of investment in would put forward policy suggestions communication

. … Queensland’s mining industry may be Page 15 • Fossil Fool Bulletin 1:50 • 13 November 2018

News this week ... from previous page

https://reneweconomy.com.au/coalition-plans-to-sup- The more complicated the scheme, the port-new-coal-investment-could-break-its-own-pro- proceeds with a controversial retro- more easily it is gamed. curement-rules-19439/?utm_source=RE+Daily+News- letter&utm_campaign=5b3d0cd4e1-EMAIL_CAM- axedspective if the change Queensland to cover government the clean-up PAIGN_2018_11_08_11_22&utm_medium=email&utm_ter- What Australia needs is a “dumb old m=0_46a1943223-5b3d0cd4e1-40461137 of mines, Resources Minister Matt royalty” says gas analyst Bruce Robert- Coalition plans to support new coal Mr Canavan met with Ms Trad this easy to administer, transparent, easy to investment could break its own Canavan has warned. … morning at a summit in Mt Isa where son – a simple, flat rate on production; procurement rules he raised his concern over what he Oliver Yates, RenewEconomy, 09/11/2018 describes as a set of secretive amend- collect. … https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/ The proposed underwriting of new ments to the state government’s exist- nov/09/craig-kelly-mocks-climate-change-exaggera- - investments by what the Coalition - government likes to call ‘fair dinkum tion-in-presentation-to-liberal-party-members?fbclid=Ivtot94t_lYoYFY ing legislation. … wAR3ZsvxqDEQ0DXfp0RRPv236-Ln8hIjOG7k3rorBb7MXL https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/ Craig Kelly MP mocks climate change before the industry again wastes its nov/07/liberal-mp-craig-kelly-to-replace-ross-cameron-as- co-host-of-sky-news-outsiders ‘exaggeration’ in presentation to Liberal power”time. needs immediate clarification party members Liberal MP Craig Kelly to replace Ross There are some core issues that jump Anne Davies, The Guardian, 09/11/2018 Cameron as co-host of Sky News’ to mind – and many of these revolve Outsiders The Guardian has obtained a tape of around the issue of a range of emis- sions and the government’s own pro- Anne Davies, The Guardian, 07/11/2018 a presentation by Kelly at the right- aligned Mosman branch of the Liberal curement guidelines that any contracts The Liberal MP Craig Kelly, a leading party in September that outlines in climate change sceptic in the Liberal It has made it clear it favours coal, gas party, is set to become a regular co- must have the environment in mind. … Kelly’s PowerPoint presentation or pumped hydro, and energy minister host of Sky News’ Outsiders program detail his climate scepticism. … veered between mocking “the lefties” Angus Taylor is insisting this must be following the network’s decision to “24/7” power and has indicated the sack for racist com- and arguing that there was no need to tackle climate change because its government may indemnify any proj- ments. ects against future carbon restrictions and price impacts. “It’s CO2 we are talking about: it’s agreement” to co-host the program impact had been grossly overblown. … what turns water into soda water, it’s The reason the market is challenged, Kellywith commentatorconfirmed he Rowanhad a “verbal Dean once and why such support may make a week. what makes chardonnay into cham- pagne,” he said derisively, before claim- sense, is that traditional methods of Kelly is currently the sitting member ing that the consensus view among the power generation must be replaced for Hughes in Sydney’s south but faces world’s scientists that the planet was because they produce damaging emis- a serious preselection challenge for his warming was wrong. seat before the federal election next costs to society. Kelly said that “30 years ago, the tem- sions that create significant external perature was the same globally about The external costs are increasingly evident in the form of climate change, year. … where it was today” – even though https://www.michaelwest.com.au/prrt-pipe-dream-gas- the Bureau of Meteorology and other but also involve localised heavy metal crackdown-really-a-fawning-tweak-on-a-failed-tax/ international agencies estimate the pollution and the production of NOx/ PRRT Pipe-Dream: gas “crackdown” planet has already warmed more than really a fawning tweak on a failed tax SOx and ash. … Michael West, MichaelWest.com, 07/11/2018 1 degree in the past century. … The cartel which controls Australia’s Gas industy whistleblower Fiona Wilson is still battling her incarceration and forced vast gas reserves has been beating medication by Queensland’s Fixated Persons Unit. Fiona’s story was told in FFB1.2 and a path to the doors of the Big Four FFB1.13. An update will be published soon. She needs to fund about $30,000 in legal fees - and medical costs. ment has sallied forth with its feted tax If you can help, click this link: accounting“crackdown” firms – in lately;truth, lessfor theof a govern crack- https://www.gofundme.com/barrister-needed-for-fiona-wilson down than the tweaking of a couple of loopholes in the failed tax they call the Fossil Fool Bulletin is emailed to subscribers every Tuesday.

The PRRT is a failed tax. It never https://knitting-nannas.org/bulletins.php PRRT. Michael West reports. … worked. And lowering the uplift SIGN UP for your FREE subscription rate – the central plank of the latest E Past issues available to download D brainstorm – won’t suddenly make it work either. This is because it remains SAVING THE LAND, AIR AND WATER a(they profit-based funnel them tax andoffshore the tax mostly giants by FOR THE KIDDIES aremaking past-masters big loans atto eliminatingthemselves) profits so as to eliminate tax. www.knitting-nannas.com