"No Coal Joel" slams Government for 'Liddell Hoax'

BY MICHAEL COOK

After pushing for the life of AGL's Liddell power station to be extended by 10 years, the Turnbull Government now seems to have turned its back on the proposition.

The potential extension of the Muswellbrook  power station to 2032 was earmarked to cost around $900 million but is now off the table.

In a major energy speech on Monday by Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg, there was no mention of the power station's extension, all but confirming it is no longer on the agenda for the government.

In the speech, Frydenberg looked instead to AGL's cleaner energy investment plan as the right way forward in energy policy.

Liddell Power Station
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/8877002-3x2-700x467.jpg

Federal Member for Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon, who Frydenberg referred to as "No Coal Joel" in a recent Parliament House spat, is disappointed in the way the Prime Minister has gone about this issue.

"What Malcolm Turnbull did was raise false hope, he wanted people to believe he can extend Liddell to get him through the next election campaign.

"He's been caught out, thank goodness I think he's now getting out of the way and letting us work with AGL to create the jobs of the future," Fitzgibbon said.

The move away from the extension may signal a shift in electricity regeneration in the area as well as nationwide. 

Future for Liddell Power Plant

By MATT JOHNSTON

After weeks of heated negotiations that went all the way to the Prime Minister’s office, AGL has finally announced its plans for the Liddell power plant’s future. They’re sticking to their commitment to close the existing facility, which is slated for closure in 2022.

While it is “technically possible” to extend the life of the 45-year-old power plant, AGL Chairman Jerry Maycock argues “the costs of doing so in a way that ensures that the plant is even moderately reliable are certain to be substantial”.

The Shadow Minister for Energy Adam Searle says Labor supports the proposal to install a raft of new energy technologies at the site to make up the energy and jobs shortfalls. It’s hoped the mix of energy production options will ensure the region’s energy security going forward. “Energy security for NSW will depend on having a diversity of energy sources, not putting reliance on ageing infrastructure.”

While the replacements for the coal-fired plant aren’t yet set in stone, it’s expected renewables, batteries, gas, and upgraded coal will all play a part in keeping homes and businesses powered. “This announcement will give security to existing employees and offer them high-quality jobs for decades to come”, says Adam Searle.

“It gives certainty to staff that work at the Liddell power station, it holds out the prospect for new employment for more people when it comes to the creation of the new generating capacity, but also it provides for energy security.”

AGL's Liddell Power Plant - Photo: The Newcastle Herald

AGL Commits To Meeting Energy Needs Without Liddell Power Station

BY IAN CROUCH

The head of AGL says they're committed to finding a solution to Australia's energy crisis without extending the life of the Liddell Power Station near Muswellbrook.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull met with Chief Executive, Andy Vesey in a bid to keep the coal-fired power station open beyond it's planned 2022 closure.

AGL Chief Executive Andy Vesey

Energy Minister, Josh Frydenberg says Andy Vesey agreed to ask the company's board to consider delaying the closure or selling the power station.


"There will be a supply shortfall in the market if Liddell closes. That is why Prime Minister Turnbull is taking responsibility to ensure that the market doesn't have that shortfall," he said

Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg

Andy Vesey has promised to provide a plan on actions AGL plans to take to avoid a market shortfall once Liddell is retired in 2022.

Hunter MP, Joel Fitzgibbon says Andy Vesey has it right and the government needs to get out of the way.

"Andy Vesey shares my vision to build a new energy hub n the Upper Hunter - a mix of coal, gas, pumped hydro and large-scale renewables. That's what will keep the jobs in the future. That's what will put downward pressure on energy prices," he said.

Hunter Mp, Joel Fitzgibbon

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull giving false hope to Hunter on Liddell: Fitzgibbon

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Federal Government wants to extend the life of existing coal power plants including the Lidell Power Station in the Hunter.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg told Federal Parliament yesterday they were in talks with AGL to extend the life of the power station beyond its 2022 closure date, but AGL say they're committed to closing it.

There are reports Liddell might be sold off to another company who will keep the power station open until at least 2027.

AGL's CEO Andy Vasey tweeted overnight in response to the Prime Minister's claims in parliament, saying he and the company are committed to closing Liddell and walking away from coal fired pwoer generation.

.@TonyAbbottMHR We're getting out of coal. We committed to the closure of the Liddell power station in 2022, the end of its operating life.

— Andy Vesey (@AndyVesey_AGL) September 5, 2017

But Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon says the Prime Minister is misleading the Hunter community in saying the power station could stay open in the future, when it really isn't the case.

"I think he's perpetrating a cruel hope for Hunter's communities, and AGL has made it clear that they have no interest in expanding the plant which is a shame No one would welcome it more than me. But I just don't see it happening."

A report is warning an extra 1,000 mega watts of electricity will be needed this summer to meet the electricity needs and amid fears of lengthy blackouts in Victoria and South Australia.

"Malcolm Turnbull has perpetrated a cruel hope on both the Hunter's community and certainly the nation. He's suddenly talking about Liddell but he could've been doing that three or four years ago. And of course at 3pm he said one thing and by 7pm last night he was saying something else," said Joel Fitzgibbon.

Image theaustralian.com.au

AGL Offers Redundancies to Hunter Emplyees

BY GARY LYSAGHT

Electricity provider AGL has begun offering voluntary redundancies at two of its Upper Hunter workstations.

Hundreds of employees at AGL’s Bayswater and Liddell facilities have been offered voluntary separation packages.

AGL Macquarie General Manager Ian Brooksbank says the redundancies come as the company looks to reduce costs at its Hunter outlets.

“Faced with challenging market and financial conditions, AGL Macquarie is identifying opportunities to manage our operations as efficiently as possible,” he says.

It is not yet known just how many works will take up their employers offer and depart the company.

“Voluntary separation packages allow us to review our business structures and determine whether we can achieve efficiencies and implement changes that enable some employees to voluntarily depart the business,” says Brooksbank.

AGL has been quick to clarify that the redundancy packages are in accordance with conditions of the Macquarie Enterprise Agreement, 2012.

Packages also follow individual employee contracts.

Expressions of interest for the redundancy packages will be assessed by the end of June, with any departure dates determined at AGL Macquarie’s discretion.

“Each expression of interest will be individually assessed against our business and operational requirements,” says Brooksbank. 

AGL Walks Away from Gloucester

After eight years of protests and poor results, energy supplier AGL has walked away from the coal-seam-gas industry in Gloucester.

AGL had high hopes that the Waukivory pilot would provide 15% of the State CSG needs by 2018 however, it has now decided that number is unobtainable.

Protests have been ongoing since the mine opened

"Unfortunately, the economic returns to support the investment of approximately $1 billion were not adequate" AGL said in a statement.

"Consequently, in the interest of our shareholders and customers, this is the most responsible course of action."

Groundswell Gloucester's Judy Lyford has been a strong advocate against the CSG industry and has welcomed this news.

"AGL were on a hiking to no where with the non-existent Gloucester gas fields because of all the inherit problems."

"We respect AGL's decision, now our focus is on the State Government and the collusion and culpability we fell has been happening for many years."

AGL's pull-out comes after Gloucester Council inquired to NSW Premier Mike Baird and asked to buy the CSG exploration license from the company back in November.

"Coal seam gas was a great concern to many people in our community, the lack of science and tech coming out from all over the world continuing unknown's was a real worry" said Gloucester Mayor John Rosenbaum.

"We need to move forward as a community."

"AGL, I'm hoping will be able to work with us and we're prepared to do that and I think the community will be at looking at the long term renewable energy source."

Ms Lyford says the focus now needs to shift to the conservation of the Gloucester environment.

"We to look at what's happening with the waste water, the holding ponds so there's a lot of work for AGL to do in that space."

"[Coal seam gas is] a shocking industry that has no guarantees of safety its been shown to be polluting."

"It's unacceptable and the State Government are really culpable for everything that's happened."

Meanwhile, Mr Rosenbaum is looking forward to getting on with the job.

"I'm looking forward to promote Gloucester (sic) without having this in the background."

"The beauty of Gloucester we have here, I can see the benefit is that now more people are assured that there's an industry [gone now] that they didn't want to live around, they can come and live here in this great environment we have."

"It needs to be protected for future generations."

Image courtesy of Ray Dawes, via ABC (LINK).

Gloucester Gas Fracking

A talk has been given in Gloucester today to highlight the risks of fracking to water supplies and public health.

The talk by American farmer, John Fenton, highlights severe impacts to water supplies and health in the U.S state of Wyoming, as gas company AGL plans to begin fracking in Gloucester in the near future.

Of public concern is whether the area is geologically sound for gas fracking with scientific officials  yet to release their reports on fracking in the area.