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Post by lennie on Jul 11, 2006 18:34:25 GMT -5
Oil expert says industry might use AntarcticaAn international oil industry expert who says global oil supply has reached its production peak has warned places like Antarctica may not be safe from oil exploration. Dr Ali Samsam Bakhtiari has given evidence to a Senate committee about his calculations that crude oil demand will out-strip supply within five or six years. He says one polar region in the Antarctic is already close to being exploited. "I hope that the oil industry will not go into Antarctica but when the price will be $200 or $300 per barrel, then anything can happen," he said. ____________________________________________________ How much more can 'Mother Earth' sustain mankinds quest for oil? What effect is it having on the environmental well-being of the planet? What are our alternatives?
All of these questions need to be answered methodically. If anyone has ever been to Antartica as I have they would probably agree that we should leave this beautiful sanctuary of 'Mother Nature' well alone. 
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Post by lennie on Jul 16, 2006 19:13:57 GMT -5
G8 backs nuclear power developmentEight of the world's most powerful countries have pledged to promote open, transparent energy markets and pursue alternative energy sources, including nuclear power. read about it here: -www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200607/s1687834.htmAbout time. We cannot continue to depend on Oil.
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Post by workingman on Jul 23, 2006 6:31:28 GMT -5
Isn't it interesting how the government is so cold on the idea of alternative fuels such as ethynol, which can be produced my anybody in their own backyard. Vegetable oil is a viable alternative to diesel but there is no talk on government levels of exploring this avenue.
When we look at government inaction on these topics and the present high price of diesel and petrol, one can't help but thinking how much sway the mega rich (and getting richer) oil companies have with our governments.
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Post by ppyenews on Jul 23, 2006 7:29:56 GMT -5
Isn't it interesting how the government is so cold on the idea of alternative fuels such as ethynol, which can be produced my anybody in their own backyard. Vegetable oil is a viable alternative to diesel but there is no talk on government levels of exploring this avenue. When we look at government inaction on these topics and the present high price of diesel and petrol, one can't help but thinking how much sway the mega rich (and getting richer) oil companies have with our governments. |
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Post by lennie on Aug 14, 2006 6:46:24 GMT -5
Howard unveils $1.5b alternative fuels package
The Prime Minister has unveiled a $1.5 billion plan to encourage the use of alternative fuels. John Howard has confirmed that from today a $1,000 rebate will be available for the purchase of new LPG powered vehicles.
There will be a $2,000 grant for the conversion of existing vehicles from petrol to LPG. Mr Howard has told Parliament that the package also includes increased oil exploration and grants for petrol stations to install ethanol pumps.
"This is a difficult time for Australians faced with high petrol prices and it is only appropriate that the benefits which accrue to Australia from our substantial resource base flow through beyond a narrow part of our society," Mr Howard said.
Mr Howard says the package will help motorists deal with the rising cost of petrol. "The fuel bill for a six cylinder vehicle travelling 15,000 kilometres a year would be cut by $27 a week," he said.
At last we are starting to get somewhere
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Post by lennie on Aug 14, 2006 6:50:11 GMT -5
LPG subsidy 'at the margins'The National Party is urging the Federal Government to go even further to encourage alternative fuels. The Government plans to subsidise LPG conversions by up to $2,000 and encourage solar power, oil exploration and ethanol. But Nationals Senator Ron Boswell says that is not enough. "What he's [John Howard] doing with gas is good, but it's only at the margins," Senator Boswell said. "We really have to get fair dinkum about ethanol and biofuels because we're only playing at the edges at the moment." He says the Government should push oil companies to buy more ethanol. Labor also says the Government should go further but its leader, Kim Beazley, has welcomed the first step. "Any bit helps - I'm glad to see the Prime Minister is finally doing something about it," Mr Beazley said. The Greens' Kerry Nettle has claimed credit for the idea. "It's something that the Greens have been calling for for sometime, so it's fantastic to see the Government coming on board with that," Ms Nettle said.The Government has been under extreme pressure over petrol prices. 
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Post by lennie on Aug 14, 2006 6:55:59 GMT -5
Opposition attacks Govt's $1.5b LPG packageThe Federal Opposition has attacked the Government's new package designed to help people cope with the high cost of petrol. Prime Minister John Howard today announced a rebate of $2,000 for converting a car from petrol to gas. A $1,000 rebate will also be available for the purchase of new LPG powered vehicles. "Australian motorists will need to weigh up the costs and benefits of taking up the incentives which I am announcing today," Mr Howard said. Petrol retailers will also be given grants to install ethanol blend fuel bowsers. But Opposition Leader Kim Beazley is not satisfied. "The longer the Prime Minister speaks on this, the less and less substance there is," Mr Beazley said. The package will cost the Government $1.5 billion. Righto' then Measley Beazley, what can you do thats better, it's about time you did something instead of just opening your big mouth. All talk, no action, thats Kim Beazley. Give it up!!! 
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Post by lennie on Aug 15, 2006 4:56:03 GMT -5
Govt MP accused of contradicting LPG stanceThe Federal Government has been forced to defend its stance on LPG fuel. The Opposition has tabled a letter in Parliament, which it says contradicts the Government's new fuel package. In May, Labor MP Jennie George suggested LPG tanks be made mandatory for all Government vehicles. But in a reply to Ms George last month, the Special Minister of State, Gary Nairn, wrote the use of LPG would be inconsistent with the Government's support of ethanol blended fuels, and supply is not readily available in all regional and rural areas. Ms George says that directly contradicts the Prime Minister. "That LPG is readily available in rural and regional areas," she said. But Mr Nairn says energy policy is rapidly changing. "I didn't actually write that letter yesterday I might tell the Opposition," he said. The Government says it has had a positive response to its fuel package. I guess now the big question for many is how you go about getting the rebates. Do you claim it back through tax or do you get the job done, then show the account to a Govt agency and they pay you back somehow, or can you get the money up front, or what?
The people I am thinking of is the many average Australians who work 40 odd hours a week, need the car for getting to work, and as the family vehicle because there's 3 or 4 kids to run around.
They're probably the one's who wouldn't have $2000 odd dollars to fork out up front. How do we get on here? cos they are the people who probably need to save that $27 odd dollars that they say the average car owner should save in a week by using LPG.
If anybody finds out the process please post it, in the mean time I keep looking. 
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Post by lennie on Aug 20, 2006 3:37:14 GMT -5
Well, this ABC report I found just about says it all. Good old John Winnie huh, does he think he can pull the wool over our eyes or something?
Motorists warned LPG won't solve fuel issue
The Service Station Association (SSA) says a rebate scheme for motorists who convert their cars to LPG will not resolve concerns over high petrol prices.
The Federal Government will offer a $1,000 rebate for the purchase of new LPG powered vehicles, or a $2,000 grant for the conversion of existing vehicles from petrol to LPG.
But SSA president Richard Halstead says there is already a two-year backlog at many gas conversion centres, and another big disincentive is higher taxes on LPG.
"The sad thing is that this Government's decided to continue to tax and increase the tax on LPG over the coming years," he said.
"You talk to the people in the LPG industry and you'll find they're actually worried.
"In the future you'll be paying the same price as petrol anyway."
Queensland's peak motoring body is urging drivers to do their homework if they are considering converting to LPG fuel to save money.
RACQ technical services manager Steve Spalding says the $2,000 conversion rebate being offered by the Federal Government may not suit everyone.
He says gas conversion will save on running costs, but warns LPG is not available in some regional centres, it can void car warranties and there is much less boot space after the tank is fitted.
"The immediate thing that is noticed is that LPG is much cheaper," he said.
"But LPG doesn't take the car as far as a litre of petrol will, so you will need to fill up more often and therefore that makes the range of the car shorter as well."
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