Gas Energy Australia Chief Executive John Griffiths said green energy schemes would be more effective and potentially cost less if lower emitting, domestically produced gaseous fuels were included in the Government’s green energy schemes.
“Health experts warn airborne toxic pollutants kill up to 3,000 people a year while technological innovation in the energy sector can reduce toxic pollutants, overall emissions and costs to taxpayers”? Mr Griffiths said.
“Innovation in gas fuels might not sound as sexy as a smartphone app, but it can improve health, environmental outcomes and support Australian jobs.
“Hopefully the Treasurer and the Prime Minister agree that’s pretty sexy innovation.
“While other countries are forging ahead with gaseous fuels, a range of barriers are holding back Australians from enjoying the benefits of our own natural advantages.
“It is crazy that Australia still imports dirtier oil based fuels and technologies, when domestically produced gas is a cleaner, cheaper and safer option.”?
In the submission Mr Griffiths argued that a number of schemes exclusively designed for wind or solar don’t always lead to the best possible emission or pollution outcome, and that by including low emissions gas fuels like CNG, LNG and LPG could get better emissions and savings outcomes for Australia.
“We are calling on the Turnbull Government to simply support including gas in some of these schemes to ensure the best energy source and technology is used for particular jobs to get better value and lower emissions overall.
“A scheme like ARENA supporting a diesel-Âsolar off-Âgrid generator that uses higher polluting imported fuel but not one that uses just lower polluting Australian gas doesn’t make sense.
“Our submission means you don’t prescribe “winners”? and it ensures schemes can better accommodate innovation and emerging technologies that offer the best outcome for particular jobs.
“And despite a promised excise burden for natural gas transport fuels of not greater than 50 per cent compared with diesel, this has already exceeded 70 per cent. This is deterring efforts by early innovators and adopters to take up lower emitting lower polluting gas powered heavy vehicles, particularly where gas is more feasible.”