Published Friday, 19 December, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Minister for Mines and Energy
The Honourable Geoff Wilson
A cleaner energy future for Queensland
The Bligh Government’s world-leading gas scheme has reduced dangerous greenhouse gas emissions by around 8 million tonnes since it began in 2005, Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson said today.
“That’s the same as taking more than 460,000 cars off the road for the same period,” Mr Wilson said.
Minister Wilson said the gas scheme requires AGL, Origin and other major electricity providers to source at least 13% of their power from gas-fired generation.
“We’re increasing it to 18% by 2020 because gas is a vital path towards a cleaner energy future for Queensland,” he said.
“Gas has half the emissions of coal-fired power. It’s good for the environment and good for the economy.”
Minister Wilson said the coal seam gas industry was going full steam ahead in Queensland.
“The market has grown by 50% in the last twelve months. Industry has invested more than $1 billion in Queensland,” he said.
“Gas is in abundance in the Surat Basin. It’s set to rival the Bowen Basin as the state’s economic powerhouse.
“Our gas scheme is an investment in people who live and work in towns like Miles, Dalby and Chinchilla. We’re giving them jobs and job security.
Minister Wilson said the Liberal National Party is at loggerheads over the Bligh Government’s gas scheme.
“The Liberals support it. The Nationals don’t. There’s a Great Dividing Range between their policies and while they go at each other with hammer and tongs, we’re out there, west of the Great Divide, rolling up our sleeves and getting on with the job of delivering cleaner, greener power for all Queenslanders.
“We’ve already opened up more than 110,000 square kilometres of land to potential investors.
“We’re serious about tackling climate change. We’re looking beyond the horizon, taking Queenslanders towards Q2 and a cleaner, greener energy future.
Mr Wilson said the Bligh Government’s world-leading gas scheme had generated around 17 million megawatt hours of electricity, enough to power around two million homes for a year.
Media inquiries: Simon Hamill 3224 7332
“That’s the same as taking more than 460,000 cars off the road for the same period,” Mr Wilson said.
Minister Wilson said the gas scheme requires AGL, Origin and other major electricity providers to source at least 13% of their power from gas-fired generation.
“We’re increasing it to 18% by 2020 because gas is a vital path towards a cleaner energy future for Queensland,” he said.
“Gas has half the emissions of coal-fired power. It’s good for the environment and good for the economy.”
Minister Wilson said the coal seam gas industry was going full steam ahead in Queensland.
“The market has grown by 50% in the last twelve months. Industry has invested more than $1 billion in Queensland,” he said.
“Gas is in abundance in the Surat Basin. It’s set to rival the Bowen Basin as the state’s economic powerhouse.
“Our gas scheme is an investment in people who live and work in towns like Miles, Dalby and Chinchilla. We’re giving them jobs and job security.
Minister Wilson said the Liberal National Party is at loggerheads over the Bligh Government’s gas scheme.
“The Liberals support it. The Nationals don’t. There’s a Great Dividing Range between their policies and while they go at each other with hammer and tongs, we’re out there, west of the Great Divide, rolling up our sleeves and getting on with the job of delivering cleaner, greener power for all Queenslanders.
“We’ve already opened up more than 110,000 square kilometres of land to potential investors.
“We’re serious about tackling climate change. We’re looking beyond the horizon, taking Queenslanders towards Q2 and a cleaner, greener energy future.
Mr Wilson said the Bligh Government’s world-leading gas scheme had generated around 17 million megawatt hours of electricity, enough to power around two million homes for a year.
Media inquiries: Simon Hamill 3224 7332