[LINK] Gov killing off Australian wind-tower industry

[Stephen Loosley]

(Quote) Tony Abbott may think coal is "good for humanity" but it's not particularly good for climate change.

It's been a big few weeks for coal and also for the climate. 

We've had the ANU divestment decision, Tony Abbott opening a mine and telling us all that "coal was good for humanity", and Joe Hockey attempting to have us think it is "absolutely ridiculous" to believe Australia is one of the "dirtiest, most greenhouse emitting countries in the OECD group".

Let's set the record straight. 

On total emissions, we're coming about 8th or 9th out of 36 nations in the OECD (if you include Russia and the Baltic states).

On a per capita basis, however, we are  top.

And on a per GDP basis, we come in second, above the US and Canada.

So trying to argue we are not punching above our weight on greenhouse gasses is an exercise in absolutely ridiculous futility.

We also had the announcement that last month was the hottest September on record.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-22/jericho-ignore-abbott-we-shouldnt-feel-bound-to-coal/5831720?WT.mc_id=newsmail

So now, the current government is acclerating emissions, and also, killing off the wind-power industry.

(Quote) Australia's largest wind tower producer is sacking 100 staff after the Federal Government revealed plans to scale back the Renewable Energy Target (RET).

Keppel Prince Engineering, based in Portland in south-west Victoria, told workers this morning it would be mothballing its tower fabrication division and consolidating other parts of its business.

The Government announced yesterday it wanted to see the RET reduced 41,000 gigawatt hours to around 26,000 gigawatt hours.

Keppel's general manager Steve Garner said, "the announcement will effectively kill off the industry."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-23/wind-turbine-producer-axes-100-jobs-after-ret-changes/5835516?WT.mc_id=newsmail

Cheers,
Stephen