Wilson promotes state’s role in global climate change solution

Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson is leading a nine-day delegation to the United States and Canada to promote Queensland’s role in global climate change solutions.

The delegation includes representatives from the Queensland Resources Council, Xstrata Coal, ENERGEX, Ergon Energy and the Department of Mines and Energy.

“The delegation will establish relationships with internationally recognised experts in clean coal technology and energy conservation and it will also promote the outstanding work that’s being done in Queensland,” Mr Wilson said.

“Meeting the challenge of climate change requires solutions that have a significant global impact and to achieve this we need to build partnerships at the highest level,” he said.

“Queensland is leading the world in some areas of clean coal technology and there is no doubt that Canada and the United States are also developing exciting projects with real potential to deliver smart energy solutions,” he said.

Mr Wilson said he would use the trip to promote Queensland’s ClimateSmart 2050 strategy, especially the Smart Energy Policy initiatives.

“We also want to attract foreign investment in the clean coal technology projects that are underway in Queensland,” he said.

The delegation will visit representatives from a number of organisations, including:

·US Department of Energy’s Dr Victor Der, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Clean Coal Technology and program director for the $1.5 billion FutureGen clean coal project

·Washington’s Joint Global Climate Change Research Institute’s Dr Jae Edmonds, well known for his work in the integrated assessment of climate change

·CANMET Energy Technology Centre, a world-class research facility which houses the Clean Electric Power Generation Program – Canada’s centre for excellence for the development of efficient stationary combustion processes

·US Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

·Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto, California, a centre for research and development aimed at solving society’s critical energy and environmental needs

“This is an opportunity to forge relationships with organisations at the cutting edge of climate change solutions and to show them how Queensland is leading the field with new technology, renewable energy and smarter energy use,” Mr Wilson said.

Media inquiries: Ellen McIntyre 3225 1819