18 February, 2014
Government scaremongering on gas prices ignores the facts
Energy and Resources Minister Anthony Roberts is continuing the scare campaign about NSW gas supplies that was started by former minister Chris Hartcher, the Nature Conservation Council Campaigns Director Kate Smolski said today.
Minister Roberts claims in today’s Sydney Morning Herald that "the importance of growing the natural gas industry in NSW is fundamental to […] driving the prices of gas down where we can through increase of supply.” [1]
Ms Smolski said Mr Robert’s claims were wrong.
“It is commonly recognized that the forecast rise in gas prices will result from opening up the Australian gas market to international demand, not from a lack of supply,” she said.
“The real issue is that permitting widespread development of coal seam gas fields will put our water resources, productive farmland and wildlife habitat at serious risk, but do nothing to contain gas prices for NSW consumers.
“Many in the gas industry would like us to believe that public opposition to coal seam gas is the reason for the impending price increases.
“But it is the industry’s plan to export our gas to international markets, while leaving the damage here, that is really driving the trend. [2]
“It is not only environment groups that are saying this. Senior gas industry executive Ian Little just last month publicly acknowledged there was no looming gas shortage in NSW. [3]
“Mr Little’s comments flatly contradict assertions by Minister Roberts and former minister Chris Hartcher, which we believe have been part of a carefully calculated campaign to promote expansion of the CSG industry in New South Wales at any cost.”
References
[1] www.smh.com.au/nsw/nsw-must-grow-coal-seam-gas-industry-to-keep-down-prices-minister-20140217-32vjt.html
[2] www.tai.org.au/sites/defualt/files/research/PB%2053%20Cooking%20up%20a%20price%20rise.pdf
[3] Gas supply fears overplayed, says Envestra boss Ian Little, by Damon Kitney.
www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/gas-supply-fears-overplayed-says-envestra-boss-ian-little/story-e6frg9df-1226797691946#
Tags
Coal and gas
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