In today’s news, the Morrison Government will face pressure the states over its plans to slug taxpayers to extend the life of ageing and unreliable coal burning power stations, regardless of whether they supply electricity to the grid or not.
Meanwhile, in a cynical move to delay urgent climate action for decades and save face amid growing international pressure, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will use a speech today to lay out the economic case for net zero emissions by 2050, mainly for his colleagues in the National Party who are becoming increasingly isolated as moderate Liberals call for net zero and stronger 2030 emission reduction targets.
And Energy Australia will close its Mt Piper coal power station in NSW by 2040 at the latest, two years ahead of schedule but still 10 years later than the deadline called for by the UN and International Energy Agency, among others, to prevent further climate chaos.
States and territories revolt over federal government's CoalKeeper subsidy plan
The federal government is facing a revolt from states and territories over its plan to allow subsidies for coal and gas-fired power stations as part of reforms to shore up reliability of the electricity grid.
EnergyAustralia to shut NSW coal power station two years early as reforms hang in balance
EnergyAustralia has committed to end coal power generation by 2040, underlining the accelerating shift away from coal as the Morrison Government-backed CoalKeeper reforms to subsidise coal power hang in the balance.
‘No time to lose’: Italian ambassador urges Australia to commit to net zero before COP26
Italy’s top diplomat in Canberra has warned that there is “no time to lose” in fighting the climate crisis and hopes Australia will commit to net zero emissions.
Josh Frydenberg will make the economic case for Australia adopting a net zero commitment, warning the country has a lot to lose if others believe “we are not transitioning in line with the rest of the world”.
Massive NT solar farm a step closer as Sun Cable dramatically increases its capacity
Plans to build the world largest solar farm in the Northern Territory have been scaled up by as much as 40 per cent, with the estimated costs rising from $22 billion to $30 billion.