Today
Queensland tears up transition targets and will keep coal for longer
Queensland’s five-month-old LNP government will unveil its broad energy platform today with a plan to extend the life of the state-owned coal-fired generators.
This Month
BoM said the sky was clear. Rain and floods told a different story
A huge meat-producing region of the outback, where livelihoods hinge on the weather, is stuck in an enormous Bureau of Meteorology blind spot.
‘Doesn’t stack up’: Top investors go cold on nuclear
New data shows Australia’s top asset managers have little interest in investing in atomic energy generation.
No election road out of Australia’s energy perdition
The election contest between Labor’s faltering subsided renewables policy and the Coalition’s nationalised nuclear pipedream does not inspire confidence.
Chinese $800m-plus solar deal collapses after FIRB delays
Lightsource bp is now seeking an alternative buyer for five Australian solar farms after ending a deal to sell to Beijing Energy International.
Matt Kean has ‘material interests’ in carbon credit schemes
The Climate Change Authority chairman is a green investment adviser on the side. Experts say it’s above board despite “tremendous advantage” to Wollemi Capital.
March
Why salmon farming laws could affect mining projects
New laws designed to insulate Tasmania’s salmon industry from environmental challenge could have unintended consequences for several projects.
His EV shut down while he was driving. Getting it fixed was worse
A recall of thousands of Kia and Hyundai electric vehicles has one angry owner asking how long is too long for a repair with no refund or compensation.
Santos breaks ranks on Dutton’s gas plan
The gas producer looks set to emerge as a winner under the Coalition’s gas policy, despite it being widely blamed for the risk of shortages on the east coast.
How gas turned Dutton into an accidental progressive
Peter Dutton has long been loathed by progressives. But by declaring his intention to crack down on gas exporters, he has adopted one of their favourite policy ideas.
Santos Barossa delay feared as politics envelops gas
The deferral of a ruling on the North West Shelf venture has stoked fears that other gas projects will also fall victim to the fractious politics around the fossil fuel.
Labor quietly diverts $75m from hydrogen-powered truck scheme
Getting more hydrogen-powered trucks to carry freight was a key plank of Chris Bowen’s plan to decarbonise the road transport sector. It hasn’t turned out that way.
‘The big lie’: Why governments can’t deliver cheaper power
Political leaders have been promising lower power bills for two decades, but they should come clean about its true costs.
WA Labor softens criticism over North West Shelf delay
The decision on whether the huge Woodside-run gas venture can run for another 40 years could end up being made by a minority government.
$6.8b power bill relief could have bought 500k Tesla batteries
The $6.8 billion spent on power bill relief since 2022 could have subsidised the electrification of up to 600,000 homes.
Why I’m backing keeping Australian gas at home
More gas doesn’t mean cheaper energy, it just means more exports and bigger profits for the companies producing it.
$800m pledge keeps Labor green hydrogen dream alive
The green fuel sector got a shot in the arm after the federal government committed more than $800 million in production incentives to a green hydrogen project.
Victoria’s gas switch to cost households $5.8b: report
The Allan government’s plan to force people to replace broken down appliances with electric ones could cost more than first thought, according to new research.
Greens join army of crossbench home battery boosters
Under the proposal, households looking to replace their gas appliances with electric versions would be able to access up to $10,000 in grants and $20,000 in low-interest loans.
Lack of carbon border tax could force jobs offshore
Australia’s cement producers say the government’s “highest climate policy priority” before the budget should be a carbon border tax to protect local jobs.
Private jets and public virtue: unspinning Cannon-Brookes on climate
The MCB playbook is clear: acknowledge contradictions before critics turn them into weapons, overwhelm with technical solutions, reframe luxury as sacrifice, and wealth as the solution.
What the next government must do to get emissions and power prices down
Four major actions will be necessary to get Australia on track to the 2050 target. Three swift actions must be taken to ensure reliable and affordable electricity in the transition.
Ministers’ push on energy prices could hurt most customers: retailers
Energy retailers said cutting a flagged power price increase would result in higher prices for customers on discounted deals after ministers urged the regulator to dig into a big jump in their costs.
Don’t want another Cyclone Alfred? This data says one’s coming
Hot temperatures in the world’s oceans are making storms and cyclones more destructive. Australia is uniquely vulnerable.
Households face up to 9pc power bill rise amid coal plant outages
But analysts warn that billions of dollars spent on rebates to woo voters are “sugar hits” that could be better spent on long-term solutions to the increases.