Maybe it is time to go nuclear
ENERGY POLICY
We have an odd energy generation situation which seems, on the surface, to beggar common sense. We have this ever -increasing pressure to reduce emissions by closing down coal-fired power stations and to rely on renewable energy sources such as wind power and solar to meet our electricity needs. Recent power blackouts in South Australia would seem to suggest this is a somewhat fallible policy. It is even more peculiar when we know the coal we should not be using to generate our own power in the service of helping the planet is then sold to China and India, countries which produce much more atmospheric pollution than does Australia. It also seems most peculiar that nuclear power is virtually never mentioned as a possible replacement for burning coal, yet many overseas countries, particularly in Europe, are building nucleus power stations at a rate of knots. Once again, we export the uranium to these countries who would seem to be using it to reduce emissions and increase the efficiency of power generation. As I have said, doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense does it?
Solar tax
THERE are some problems with Mike Radburn’s suggestion to conserve Hydro dam levels by promoting the installation of rooftop solar panels by increasing the feed-in tariff. (Letters, July 8). The electricity imported via Basslink is in fact not “mega-expensive”. It is purchased on the wholesale spot market at times of power oversupply on the mainland, and is very cheap. An increase in the feed-in tariff would be a defacto subsidy which would be paid for by higher charges. This would be disastrous for those in the community who can’t afford to buy solar panels. This effective tax on the poor to pay the rich already applies. Solar panels have become cheaper and more efficient with time and they hardly need a subsidy. Also, as battery technology improves, more people who are sufficiently cashed up will choose to go “off grid” leaving a diminishing pool of network users to pick up the network costs. I would think that it would be better to encourage as many people as possible to keep using our Hydro electricity until we are ready to put all domestic users on rooftop solar. Then we could dismantle the poles and wires, and dams would become solely a supply and backup storage for local and mainland commercial and industrial users.
Rooftop rip-off
I TOTALLY agree with Mike Radburn (Letters, July 8). We, people with solar, are being blatantly ripped off with our feed-in tariff. When we buy electricity we pay 28 cents per kilowatt hour but we receive 5-6 cents for power we generate, a difference of 22 cents. Take off a few cents for use of poles, wires, transformers et cetera, we should be getting about 18 cents per kilowatt hour more for the power we generate. I have written about this before, but have never seen Matthew Groom address this issue and given the supposed promotion by the Government of renewables why is this never addressed? It just seems like populist politics. The Government seems more interested in another filthy pipe from Victoria. We can quite easily be the A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website. most renewable state in the country although we better be quick because Elon Musk is building a 100MW battery storage system in South Australia. We already have huge batteries — our dams.
Anti-fire agenda
THE proposed new EPA regulations recently approved by Minister Matthew Groom are designed to end wood fires in the Denison and Franklin electorates, and to satisfy the ultra-left Greens in the EPA. Apparently we suffer from widespread wood-smoke pollution and this is a major public health issue. Well that is news to the DHHS, as there was not one mention of this in their annual report. Yes, Environment Minister Matthew Groom hates people with wood fires, hates people having pit fires when they are camping, and of course this is targeted at his Greens party political opponents so that they cannot have a fire to keep themselves warm during forest protests. Even if you need to burn for fire abatement you cannot do so, if your block of land is less than 4000 sq metres. He is transferring the enforcement powers to Local Government and if your fire smokes for 30 seconds, you get a $758 fine. If you’re a restaurant and cooking food on wood fires and they smoke it’s a $7500 fine. So the pensioners who keep themselves warm with a wood fire as they cannot afford the electricity bills are being targeted. Well done Minister and may this unwanted or unneeded intrusion into our lives be top of mind with us at the ballot box at the upcoming state election.
Cold, hard reality
RIGHT wing rhapsodies aside, Malcolm Turnbull and his cohorts enjoy the sweet life in Canberra, but anyone who thinks they really care about the pensioners’ heating hardships or other difficulties are living in La La Land. Clearly, the proof of the pudding is in the eating and at the moment it leaves a very sour taste in the mouth.
Face the voters
WHAT a hypocrite Corey Bernardi is. He was elected to the Liberal Party and then used taxpayers’ money to not only criticise his own party but leave and create his own separate party. He continues to recruit members of his so called Conservative Party using taxpayers’ money. He should have manned up and resigned his seat and ran in a by-election. Voters naturally presume when they vote for their representatives that they are going to stay in that party and not spit the dummy because they feel like it.
Taking the Mickey
I AGREE somewhat with Tony Geeves, Rosetta (Letters, July 10). while it is acknowledged that David Walsh has done much for his home state, I sometimes wonder if Tasmania is in danger of morphing into a kind of Walsh Disneyland.
Expand the empire
I THINK we should have four pages of letters to the editor, but I guess the whole Mercury newspaper wouldn’t be enough to vent people’s anger and thoughts on what they think about federal, state and local governments.