Editorial: Liddell power a sure-fire bet

EDITORIAL: In 2002, as the invasion of Iraq loomed, then-US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld offered an analysis of events that attracted much criticism.

A coal-fired power station similar to Liddell, near Newcastle, which Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull wants to keep open for longer. File photo

• Bill Shorten’s seven deadly sins equal an energy crisis
• Prime Minister wants answers for electricity bill hikes

In 2002, as the invasion of Iraq loomed, then-US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld offered an analysis of events that attracted much criticism.

Although his analysis did at first seem a little puzzling, it was in fact a remarkably clear-headed view. “There are known knowns; there are things we know we know,” Rumsfeld explained.

“We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”

Rumsfeld’s comments are worth reviewing in terms of Australia’s energy debate. Coal, for example, is a known known. We know coal is reliable, abundant and inexpensive. We also know that Australia’s coal reserves could continue providing power to our nation for many future decades.

Wind-generated energy is currently not as reliable or inexpensive as coal. Picture: AFP

By contrast, renewable forms of energy such as solar and wind are known unknowns. We know that both are able to provide a certain amount of power, but we do not know at which rate technology will need to advance in order to render solar and wind as reliable and inexpensive as coal.

Other forms of alternative energy sometimes pushed by the renewables lobby, including wave power and geothermal steam generation, fall into the category of unknown unknowns. There is simply so little practical experience of these energy forms that no sensible energy policy should at this point consider them.

Banking on known knowns, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday revealed that he has opened talks with energy company AGL to keep one of the company’s long-running coal-fired power stations operational until at least 2027. This follows serious concerns about Australia’s reliable power production if coal is phased out of the energy mix.

The station in question, the Liddell plant near Newcastle, is presently due to be shut down in 2022 despite its impressive record as an electricity generator for NSW. It is very much a known known.

Those who oppose coal power would be in a much stronger position if they were able to present alternative power sources that match coal’s blend of affordability, trustworthiness and availability.

A LIFE-CHANGING DECISION

THERE is no denying the severe psychological torment endured by those who feel they are trapped in bodies not matching their genuine gender. Yet it is reasonable to ask questions relating to the age of those who wish to change their sex through surgery. Life decisions made in pre-teen years obviously feature very little mature input. But a landmark Family Court case could open the way for children as young as 11 to commence sex-changing hormone treatment — without any court approval. It is surely reasonable to allow pre-teens some protection from potentially irreversible decisions.

UNITED WE STAND

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull and US President Donald Trump have a touchy history when it comes to phone calls. A scheduled conversation between the pair this morning, however, requires all differences between the pair be put to one side.

North Korea’s reckless firing last week of a test missile across Japan’s north indicates tyrant Kim Jong-un and his absurd ­regime have entered a new phase of wild instability.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. Picture: Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP

Geographically and politically, Australia is primary among nations needed to support the US in preventing any further North Korean ballistic adventures, which have become bolder by the month. At this point, it seems that North Korea aims for an eventual strike on a populated area — either in South Korea, Japan or elsewhere. The consequences are unimaginable.

When global peace is at stake, leaders are often able to rise above differences. Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill, for ­example, were hardly natural allies but formed an unbreakable WWII alliance with then-US President Franklin Roosevelt to defeat the Axis powers.

As phone calls go, this morning’s has a great deal riding on it.