Archived News for Energy Sector Professionals

The CFMEU has emerged as a surprise backer of the Labor Party’s 50 per cent renewable energy target, but their support is contingent on unprecedented assistance for workers.

Coal drop causes 225 heads to roll

The falling coal price continues to take its toll, with 225 more jobs to go in New South Wales.

Abbott calls out Shorten's "tax scam"

While both sides of politics butt heads over whether or not an emissions trading scheme is a tax, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has provided a new label.

Gas firm won't frack one WA site

Conservationists are celebrating an oil and gas company’s decision not to hydraulically frack a well in Western Australia's Mid West.

Internal concern on anti-wind stance

The Federal Government is copping criticism from within its own ranks over the much-decried decision to stop the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) from investing in large wind farms and household solar.

Nuclear tour gives a few new ideas

South Australia's nuclear royal commissioner Kevin Scarce is back from his research trip to Asia, Europe, the United States and Canada.

Super funds fight LNP's union-busting

Industry superannuation funds are fighting against changes that threaten union control.

Tassie tariff tweak could hit bottom line

The head of Tasmanian energy provider TasNetworks says scrapping a discounted energy rate will not drive up household power costs.

Outback geothermal plan heating up

Winton Shire Council in western Queensland has made progress on its plan to build a $3.5 million geothermal facility to use the heat from artesian water as an energy source.

Shorten drops new renewable deal

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten is pushing for half of Australia's large-scale energy production to come from renewable sources within 15 years.

ARENA backs big solar for mine site

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) says it has raised the global bar by supporting a 10.6 MW solar PV installation at the DeGrussa Copper Mine in Western Australia.

CFMEU boss back on the job amid investigation

Brian Parker is back in his role as the NSW CFMEU boss, after stepping aside to face the royal commission into union corruption.

Fair Work takes action on claims of Victorian thuggery

The Fair Work Building and Construction watchdog has launched a new case against two members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union Victorian branch, after allegations of thuggish behaviour.

Side-stepping and semantics in Hunt's take on power

Environment Minister Greg Hunt has been grilled over the approval of an enormous NSW coal mine and the nature of emissions trading schemes (ETS) in interviews over the weekend.

Solar fuel-splitter stepped-up with new material

Researchers have developed a very promising prototype of a new solar cell, which produces clean hydrogen gas fuel from liquid water.

Wood firms look for reasons to burn

Tasmanian firms are keen to fire up Australia’s newest form of renewable energy – native wood.

Labor talks ETS but won't say 'tax'

News Corp media outlets say Labor wants another carbon tax.

Port plan faces PAC

Proponents of the planned T4 coal loader at the Newcastle Port face their final hurdle this week, with 100 speakers addressing a Planning Assessment Commission (PAC) hearing over two days.

Crude price decline to deepen

The International Energy Agency says global demand for oil will slow even further down next year, warning that the recent downward spiral in crude prices could continue.

Federal cabinet shifts Shenhua concerns

The stoush in the Federal Government over the approval of a massive coal mine in New South Wales continues, and it appears no one wants to take responsibility for granting the green light.