Coal’s days are numbered, top government adviser says

The federal government's top energy adviser Kerry Schott says the plunging cost of renewables will force Australia's remaining coal plants to close even earlier than planned, as mining giant BHP renewed calls for a price on carbon to urgently slash national emissions.

Respected energy chief Kerry Schott.CREDIT:

The Morrison government's failure to produce an emissions reduction plan for the electricity sector and general inaction on climate change have been credited with helping to drive a massive negative swing in the Wentworth byelection, which is expected to cost it the seat and force it into minority government.

The nation's energy ministers are due to meet in Sydney on Friday to discuss the Morrison government's bid to lower prices and improve reliability. Efforts to cut greenhouse gas emitted by electricity generators are not on the agenda.

Read the story from The Age - “Coal’s days are numbered, top government adviser says.”

Airstrip used in firefighting threatened by proposed wind farm

A south-west Victorian airport instrumental in fighting the St Patrick's Day bushfires could be forced to close if a proposed wind farm is approved by the state planning minister.

The location of the proposed wind turbines drawn on the Cobden airport window.

The $100 million Naroghid Wind Farm project plans to build 12 wind turbines on the outskirts of Cobden, seven kilometres south-east of Camperdown.

According to those who run the airstrip, the location is a problem.

Part of the farm's proposed site borders the northern edge of the Cobden Airport, with four of the 180-metre-high towers to be built within kilometres of the start of the runway.

Read the ABC Rural News story - “Airstrip used in firefighting threatened by proposed wind farm.”

Father and son build this minimalist, energy-efficient family cabin (Video)

What does it take to build a small, sustainable home close to nature? 

The energy efficient family cabin.

For William and Daniel Yudchitz -- father and son and both architects -- that meant thinking in a modular way for fitting the interior spaces of their 340-square-foot family cabin on the shores of Lake Superior, as well as carefully selecting materials and designing custom-made, multipurpose furniture that maximizes space. Seen previously in Lloyd's post, we now get a personal tour of how this energy-efficient home works via Fair Companies.

Read/watch the Treehugger story by Kimberley Mok - “Father and son build this minimalist, energy-efficient family cabin (Video).”

Paris on flooding high alert as swollen River Seine set to rise further

Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes along the swollen Seine as the river kept rising after it burst its banks in Paris, engulfing scenic quays and forcing part of the Louvre museum to close to protect its priceless artworks from floodwaters.

The flooding Seine River has caused innumerable troubles in Paris.

The river had reached 5.75 metres (19.9 feet) at 8 pm local time on Saturday, more than four metres above its normal height, and was set to hit a peak on Sunday night at around six metres.

Seemingly interminable rains in France over the past couple of weeks caused the river to rise inexorably, leading city authorities to shut down all boat traffic on the Seine in Paris, keeping tourists off the capital's famed sightseeing Bateaux Mouches.

Read Rory Mulholland’s story in The Telegraph - “Paris on flooding high alert as swollen River Seine set to rise further.”

AGL rebuffs Malcolm Turnbull and commits to ditching Liddell power station for gas, wind and solar

The Turnbull government will seek expert advice on AGL's new electricity generation plan after the energy giant rebuffed the government and confirmed it would close its coal-fired Liddell power plant.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull after meeting
with AGL boss Andy Vesey in September.

The company believes it can meet the energy shortfall and reduce emissions through a multi-phase development of gas, wind and solar plants, while proceeding with the long-slated closure of Liddell in 2022.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who has made electricity supply and power prices a key electoral issue, had implored AGL to consider extending the life of the ailing power station or find a willing buyer.

He said yesterday AGL's plan was "not at all" a rebuke of the government and it will be assessed by the Australian Energy Market Operator by mid-February.

Read Michael Kaziol’s story in today’s Melbourne Age - “AGL rebuffs Malcolm Turnbull and commits to ditching Liddell power station for gas, wind and solar.”