National Farmers Federation says electricity best place to make emissions cuts

The National Farmers Federation has taken a veiled swipe at the Turnbull government's signature energy plan, suggesting proposed emissions cuts in the electricity sector lack ambition and may have unfair consequences for agriculture. 

The National Farmers Federation has suggested emissions
reduction imposed on agriculture could have unfair consequences.

The comments add weight to criticism that the National Energy Guarantee shifts the burden of climate action to other parts of the economy where emissions reduction is more expensive and difficult.

The new national energy policy would set emission caps and and reliability standards for electricity retailers. The government says this will reduce the risk of blackouts, curb dangerous greenhouse gas emissions and deliver lower electricity prices by encouraging more investment and supply.

Read the story by Nicole Hasham from today’s Age - “National Farmers Federation says electricity best place to make emissions cuts.”

‘Inherent flaw': ACT threatens to block energy plan

The Turnbull government's signature energy plan fails to anticipate sudden exits of ailing coal-fired power plants and could lock in targets for a decade - two key design flaws that incline the ACT government to block it, Shane Rattenbury, the territory's energy minister said.

ACT Energy Minister Shane Rattenbury won't back the
National Energy Guarantee in its current form.

"It's very difficult for us to sign up [to the National Energy Guarantee] in the current form," Mr Rattenbury told Fairfax Media. His support will be crucial for the NEG to succeed because it requires all states and territories to sign up. The Federal Government hopes the NEG will reduce power prices, cut carbon emissions and improve reliability of the grid.

Read the story from The Age by Peter Hannam - “‘Inherent flaw': ACT threatens to block energy plan.”

’Frankenstein’s monster': Energy plan may allow states to 'free ride’

States and territories that slash greenhouse gas emissions will likely do the heavy lifting while others would be allowed to do less under the Turnbull government’s update of its signature energy plan.

The federal government is seeking to combine climate
and energy policy in Australia for the first time.

Energy analysts raised concerns about the latest updated National Energy Guarantee, with one describing it as a "Frankenstein's monster" rather than a "light hand" of management.

The nation’s energy ministers discussed the blueprint on Friday afternoon ahead of a meeting in Sydney on August 10 where states and territories will be asked to sign up to the deal.

Read the story by Nicole Hasham, Peter Hannam and Cole Latimer from The Age - ”’Frankenstein’s monster': Energy plan may allow states to 'free ride’.”