Energy Crisis in the UK: 40% face fuel poverty by winter and Govt may finally stop “Green Levies” (too late)

Wow. What does it take to get a democratic government to stop picking winners in socialist electrical generation? It takes a war, a 50% price rise, and the possibility that 4 in 10 households might be reduced to third world conditions within months.

Share the word — no country on Earth has lots of intermittent renewables AND cheap electricity.

…Bosses warn 40% of households face fuel poverty after October’s price cap hike…

Daily Mail

Energy bosses have called for more Government support for households facing a ‘truly horrific’ winter, with as many as four in 10 people potentially falling into fuel poverty before the end of the year.

Energy bills for the 22 million British households not on fixed-term deals rose 54 per cent to just under £2,000 a year on average in April, the last time the Ofgem price cap was reviewed.

The clean Green transition was supposed to reduce costs, create jobs, and set people free, instead the experiment failed everywhere it was done.  “Free” energy turned out to be a high maintenance, unenvironmental expensive fantasy loaded with hidden costs:

Analysts have warned of a further jump in the price cap from October, which could see the typical household paying £600 more per year.

Chris O’Shea, chief executive of Centrica, said the situation would get ‘much worse’ without intervention, while EDF’s chief executive, Simone Rossi, said its vulnerable customers could be spending £1 in every £6 of their income on their energy bills.

And the UK government is only considering dropping Green Levies.

Net Zero Watch has called for an end to the subsidies and produced The Factsheet: The cost of green levies (pdf).

According to the Daily Telegraph, “government officials are examining whether the controversial levies – used to fund renewable energy subsidy schemes – could be phased out gradually or dropped altogether….”

Green levies cost the UK economy about £11 billion a year in total, putting £150 a year on the average household electricity bill, and a further £250 per household on the annual cost of living, a total of £400 per household per year. The levies also depress wages and rates of employment.

Dr John Constable, Net Zero Watch director of energy, points out the renewable firms are making out like bandits:

“Given the high prices now available in the electricity markets it is evident that wind turbines, solar panels and biomass power stations no longer need any subsidies and should now be able to compete as pure merchant generators.”

Putting renewables on a market basis would also help to reduce system operating costs, and prevent green generators subsidised under the Renewables Obligation from, as is increasingly suspected, taking both the very high market prices and the subsidies, thus generating hyper-profits.

Steve Baker MP said:

“Making the public poorer and colder never seemed likely to survive contact with electors.”

Dr Benny Peiser, Net Zero Watch director said:

“It would appear that ministers are realising that billions in subsidies for renewable energy is no longer compatible with the cost of living crisis, threatening the welfare of tens of millions of households and undermining economic and political stability. The longer the Government delays terminating handouts for renewable energy investors the higher the economic and political cost for consumers, businesses and the government.”

Fingers crossed for the UK

9.9 out of 10 based on 83 ratings

130 comments to Energy Crisis in the UK: 40% face fuel poverty by winter and Govt may finally stop “Green Levies” (too late)

  • #
    Don B

    Nearly all of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions during the past 25 years have come from China, India and other Asian nations. Whatever the UK (or Australia) does about CO2 emissions is pointless, even if CO2 emissions were a problem.

    https://realclimatescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/annual-co-emissions-by-region.png

    All of the harm done to the average citizen in the name of save-the-planet is completely mindless.

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      It’s a purposeful strategy to eliminate the hegemony of free societies. Freedom is the real target and the political left has become the useful idiots for the central planers (i.e., the swamp) who desire this hegemony for themselves.

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      Dennis

      Former UN Official Christiana Figures admitted in October 2015 that “climate change” was all about politics and changing the “capitalist system” (free enterprise, private sector)that has resulted in increasing prosperity.

      And based on politics and various pressure applied to UN Member Nation governments threatening for example export trade markets access but various other threats, and using treaties and agreements signed between the UN and Member Nations.

      And a perfect example is the latest UN threat to report the Great Barrier Reef in trouble which would have implications for foreign tourism and related revenue adversely impacting on the State of Queensland and therefore our nation as a whole in terms of damage to the economy if tourism numbers declined. And noting that this latest threat follows the UN COP26 Glasgow Conference and Australian Government refusing to act on demands to stop coal mining, to increase Paris Agreement emissions target and commit by signing an agreement to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Prime Minister Morrison and Cabinet Ministers found a way to avoid cooperating fully with UN demands that our major allies UK and US supported at COP26.

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      • #
        MP

        Dennis from marketing. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor today released Australia’s Long Term Emissions Reduction Plan (the Plan), to deliver net zero emissions by 2050.

        Over the next decade, our existing $20 billion investment in low emissions technology is expected to unlock at least $80 billion of total private and public investment, including in clean hydrogen, carbon capture and storage and energy storage.

        “The Plan will deliver results through technology, not taxes. It respects people’s choice, and will not force mandates on what people can do or buy.
        Lets look at what they have done regarding mandates for fake vaccines!

        https://www.industry.gov.au/sites/default/files/October%202021/document/australias-long-term-emissions-reduction-plan.pdf

        Disclaimer: The Australian Government as represented by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources has exercised
        due care and skill in the preparation and compilation of the information and data in this publication. Notwithstanding, the
        Commonwealth of Australia, its officers, employees, or agents disclaim any liability, including liability for negligence, loss
        howsoever caused, damage, injury, expense or cost incurred by any person as a result of accessing, using or relying upon
        any of the information or data in this publication to the maximum extent permitted by law. No representation expressed or
        implied is made as to the currency, accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information contained in this publication. The
        reader should rely on their own inquiries to independently confirm the information and comment on which they intend to act.

        We have adopted this net zero by 2050 goal because practical global action on climate change is in Australia’s national interest, and we must play our part.
        Carbon capture and storage (CCS) CCS (Section 2.3.5) can help decarbonise industrial sectors including steel, cement and natural gas. It can also provide a pathway to produce clean hydrogen using natural gas or coal. In the future, CCS coupled with bioenergy or direct air capture technologies will likely play an important role in drawing carbon from the atmosphere. This will help achieve the Paris Agreement temperature goals.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWkPnxU-seo

        [SNIP]

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        • #
          Dennis

          So what is inconsistent with my lengthy comments on “an aspirational goal”, “based on development of new technology” and “no damage to the economy”?

          And what I pointed out regarding international politics, UN, and our main UK and US allies demands that our Federal Government got around by refusing to ban coal mining, refusing to increase Paris emissions target and bringing the end date back from 2030 to 2025 and refusing to formally commit by agreement to net zero emissions by 2050?

          “It is in Australia’s national interest”, is it not?

          You either don’t understand the political situation or are attempting to score points?

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          • #
            MP

            Hasn’t signed, there it is from smirko’s own mouth yet you refuse to hear, “to deliver net zero emissions by 2050.” “We have adopted this net zero by 2050 goal because practical global action on climate change is in Australia’s national interest”. Who is this WE he speaks for, as I nor virtually anyone on this site has agreed, except you.
            That is a commitment, even you can’t polish that out.
            Smirko is a liar, saying we haven’t signed yet doing it none the less, what is the difference. You believe what they say even when their actions show the opposite.
            He has admitted CO2 is a problem that billions of dollars must be thrown at, he has admitted in writing. The 2030 target is zero coal he is on target.
            He is going to achieve net zero by sucking 420ppm out of thin air and pumping it underground, brilliant plan, his an Fing genius.

            4 years he has done nothing except flap his gums as not even a shill like yourself can point out anything. What is this new technology you lot speak of, why is he trying to fix problems that do not exist, why will he not uphold our constitutional rights?

            I don’t care if we have to double our debt to extinguish these scum politicians and allow future generations the rights and freedoms we used to have.

            Morrisons net worth is $52 million in 2022, all attained while a full time politician. In 2018 it was $20 million, 150% increase in 4 years. https://www.apumone.com/scott-morrison-net-worth/

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    • #
      Robert Swan

      Nearly all of the increase in carbon dioxide emissions during the past 25 years have come from China

      Yeah. More than 10 years ago I said we should simply make a promise to halve our percentage of world emissions. Doing nothing would achieve that soon enough. I did the calculation a few days ago using figures from here. Australia went from 1.86% in 1990 to 1.25% by 2018. The UK has left us in the dust by going from 2.32% to 0.90% in the same time.

      By the time China has hit its peak, Australia’ll be down well below 0.5% of world emissions. I don’t know what all the guilt-tripping is about anyway, seeing that Australia is over 5% of world landmass.

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    • #
      Mal

      Green ideology based on a scientific lie taken over by rentseekers. Greatest fraud in the world.
      Now a government mandated ponzi scheme.
      What could go wrong??
      Britain is finding out, Australia will be shortly behind as the NSW government mandates the closure of of our reliable baseload coal fired power stations.
      Utter madness.

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    • #
      Serge Wright

      The combined emissions of the developed countries is the same today as in 1980, so it’s actually the last 42 years of emissions increase all coming from the developing countries, which have more than doubled global emissions during this period. China now emits 33% of global emissions, more than the entire OECD total and yet not one protester is ever seen outside the embassy in Canberra, with all protesters only concerned about our shrinking 1%. I often wonder if we were to become a super emitter similar to China if the focus would then shift to New Zealand’s 0.2%.

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  • #
    LloydWW

    “What does it take for a democratic government to stop picking winners in socialist electricity generation?”

    Surely you mean picking losers. Wind and solar are both demonstrably losing propositions. So is hydrogen. So is wave power, geothermal, pumped hydro and carbon sequestration. And the government and its agencies has picked them all at one time or another.

    I’d vote for a government that would pick actual winners, which in this case would be some form of nuclear power generation or supercritical HELE coal generators. At least until some sort of breakthrough tech comes along.

    The entire saga is galling, from the massive costs imposed at every level of society to the wildly dishonest arguments surrounding AGW theory. Remember how Australia was supposed to lead the world by adopting an ETS, a carbon tax etc. well how’s that working out for everybody?

    After 25 years of debate it’s time for AGW to be discarded as a crackpot theory. And then perhaps sanity can once more prevail.

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    • #
      Rick

      “And then perhaps sanity can once more prevail.” Are you kidding? We still have men who have physically emasculated themselves posing as women, and the idiotic beliefs of government stooges that masks and lockdowns work, and fantasies that Wuflu vaccines actually work and are safe.
      We are a long way from perils posed by governments that are nothing more than cheer squads for the useful idiots who have hijacked sensible debate on just about every subject and government policy.

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      • #
        Broadie

        Rick ponders:

        We are a long way from perils posed by governments that are nothing more than cheer squads for the useful idiots who have hijacked sensible debate on just about every subject and government policy.

        Maybe they are acting like a circular firing squad for Alinsky under style rules?
        Saul Alinski warns

        Alinsky’s list of 13 “Rules for Radicals,” offered with his proviso that political activism cannot be a self-serving enterprise: “People cannot be free unless they are willing to sacrifice some of their interests to guarantee the freedom of others. The price of democracy is the ongoing pursuit of the common good by all of the people.

        Remember Alinski was writing for his demographic in Chigago

        What follows is for those who want to change the world from what it is to what they believe it should be. The Prince was written by Machiavelli for the Haves on how to hold power. Rules for Radicals is written for the Have-Nots on how to take it away.

        Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals have been absorbed by the Machiavellian ‘Haves’ to keep Alinsky’s Demographic in a permanent state of upheaval using a self serving form of Political Activism. The Renewable energy scam is self serving, the ‘Clot Shots’ bring wealth to those promoting the jab, voting to destroy your Freedoms is rewarded with Middle Class welfare, Team sports have been destroyed by massive payments to players and administrators; Universities, Government services, Not for Profits have all been contaminated with massive payments and perks to self-serving useful idiots.

        The question is are you prepared to go out and resist the ‘useful idiots’ by sacrificing your time to recapture Community service from those that have entered our representative institution, halls of knowledge and centres of caring to serve themselves?

        Your first test is to sacrifice some time and turn up to remember those who risked everything for what they believed was ‘Freedom’ on Anzac Day and from there recapture your communities clubs and services hollowed out by the fight over Honorariums and the control of funds leaked from the major parties at election times.

        Do that and you won’t need to learn to queue with your hand out for what your rulers did not consume themselves. The Uk citizens will be begging for heat in the next winter while their rulers are in the Bahamas on their super yachts.

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    • #
      Dennis

      The Commonwealth of Australia is of course a Federation of States formed by the British Colonial Governments and separated colonies, New Zealand was part of the Colony of New South Wales. At the time of Federation the Federal Government was established by the States to deal with areas of responsibility of importance to all States but they retained most areas of responsibility and powers that they had as Colonial Governments.

      This is now a problem, for example, the RET and subsidies were created by a Federal Government but implemented by State Governments that privatised their public assets power stations and transmission lines and gave planning approval for so called renewables based business ventures. State Governments issue mining prospecting licences and planning approval for mines and extraction of oil and gas, Federal only controls exploitation of offshore minerals and energy.

      Even during the COVID-19 pandemic States controlled Public Health including vaccine mandate and hotel quarantine required after travellers were given Federal Immigration entry approval, State emergency powers were legislated through State Parliaments and enforced by State Health and Police. Federal Government contributed, importing vaccines etc., funding employers and employees during State Government lockdowns and other support roles. The National Leaders Cabinet is a Forum for discussion and trying to obtain cooperation and coordination between the States and Territories. Interstate border closures were State controlled and despite legal challenges based on constitutional laws courts supported the closures. Victoria Government was challenged in court over lockdown legislation and the challenge failed.

      The Federal Government has scheduled renewables subsidies to end in 2030, using company law amendments are forcing greater pricing competition between electricity and gas suppliers, have recommended 4 gas generators and 1 coal fired power station to be built in VIC, NSW and QLD but so far only 1 gas generator has been granted approval, NSW Hunter Valley location. The Abbott Coalition Government abolished the carbon tax and renewable energy surcharge on electricity bills and managed to reduce the RET but obviously not to abolish the RET because of opposition in Federal Parliament.

      Federation has its drawbacks and is exploited by State mainly but also Federal politicians when it suits their political purposes, relying on the majority of voters not being well enough informed to know the system of government and three levels of responsibility and powers.

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      • #
        MP

        We also had a referendum on conscription, both Military and medical. Conscription was rejected and the constitution was amended to reflect the peoples will.
        The constitution is above federal law, federal law is above state laws yet Slomo refused to use the law.

        Its exploited by the states because the fed allowed it. Typical, blame others for what you yourself are doing.

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        • #

          The Federal Government exploits the rules to get away with using the States to achieve ends that the Feds cannot — ie, stealing land from farmers to achieve the Kyoto agreements without paying compensation. All the states brought in similar laws, and they don’t have to pay compensation.

          The real problem is giant predatory cross ownership of electrical assets which is not in the national interest. Who’s responsibility is that? Looks like a Federal job to me. Why allow AGL and others to own so many competing forms of generation that they can profit from gas and others by closing cheap coal?

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        • #
          Dennis

          Laws are of course legislated by Federal or State Parliaments, constitutional laws apply but need to be challenged and that rests with the Governor General and Prime Minister depending on the circumstances but the High Court of Australia judges above all, separation of powers.

          Examples: a challenge to the WA State Government closing interstate borders was rejected by the courts including High Court of Australia despite many lawyers believing that closing interstate borders was unconstitutional, the circumstances were obviously not considered by those lawyers but the courts did.

          The other was a challenge against the VIC Government regarding lockdown State Emergency legislation based and the High Court rejected that challenge.

          So regardless of a couple of potential Federal challenges to State legislation Assistant Attorney General Senator Amanda Stoker and Senator Eric Abetz, both are lawyers, have given legal opinions that challenges threaten federalism and present many political problems, without guarantee of success.

          [Jo did you mean Mabo decision on native title, Kyoto Agreement is all about greenhouse gas emissions reduction?] If so, are you referring to land leases because land owned cannot be taken away without compensation being paid, and I would be surprised if breaking leases could be done without compensation. As you must know governments have always been able to take land for various reasons, like building a motorway or railway, etc.

          Electricity supply (and water etc) is State responsibility, the power stations and transmission lines privatised (sold) were State owned public assets, in SA power stations were demolished to ensure they could not be used again. The Federal Labor Renewable Energy Target with direct subsidies was the starting point for State privatisation of electricity assets but only the States have planning approval powers for wind and solar installations, or power stations, or dams or any infrastructure or private sector project.

          The AEMO is a bit like any cooperative, members are Federal, States and others. The present Federal Government is restricted but has for example changed company laws to force greater competition between electricity suppliers. They have proposed 4 gas generators for VIC 1, NSW 2 and QLD 1 but so far only 1 for NSW has State approval. the 1 coal fired power station proposed with Federal offer to underwrite finance is for NTH QLD and remains to be approved.

          The Abbott Federal Government abolished Labor’s carbon tax and renewable energy surcharge of 10 per cent each on electricity bills and managed to lower Labor’s RET a little but could not get the voting numbers to get rid of the RET. The Morrison Government has set an end date for RET and subsidies in 2030.

          [MP, conscription and ADF is a Federal responsibility. Constitution separates Federal and State areas of responsibility and powers]

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          • #
            MP

            The government creates the laws, the courts uphold the laws. The constitution is above all laws.
            What year and by whom was the state of QLD’s constitution done?

            The courts are bought and paid for. I have learnt a lot in the last two years Dennis, about the self serve checkout we call governments and I will remember them.

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          • #
            Ted1

            Interfering with trade across state borders is unconstitutional. No two ways about it.

            That court case warrants scrutiny. It looks to me like a contrived result.

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            • #
              Dennis

              The two courts decided that under the circumstances prevailing, a pandemic and at the time no vaccine available etc., closing interstate borders (WA specifically first) was in accordance with constitutional laws, to protect the people.

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  • #

    Unfortunately the connection between renewables and the price spikes is not simple, so the governments are ignoring it.

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    • #

      The greens like to say that wind and solar juice are not price volatile like gas. But that is because when there is no sun or wind you can’t buy some at any price. The price is essentially infinite and that is seriously volatile.

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  • #
    farmerbraun

    “All of the harm done to the average citizen in the name of save-the-planet is completely mindless.”

    I think that perhaps you mean “bloody-minded” , rather than “mindless ”
    It all seems very calculated to me.
    Remove the excess people ; save the planet , right?
    Who for? That’s the question , don’t you think?

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    • #
      b.nice

      “I think that perhaps you mean “bloody-minded” , rather than “mindless ””

      ummm I dunno.. “mindless” seems a pretty good description.. but then, so does “bloody-minded”

      Their minds are empty when it comes to the AGW religion. Have they even stopped to think how ludicrous it is?

      This nutty, mindless anti-science CO2 hatred has to be overcome, somehow, it is destroying civilisations and society, world-wide.

      It obviously doesn’t cause this mythical “warming”, and the atmosphere needs more of it to better sustain life on the planet.

      But they can’t admit to themselves that they have been conned, big time.

      It really is a mindless, bloody-minded farce. !

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  • #
    Stephen Richards

    The UK government will not stop the green levies. They will simply tranfer them elsewhere in the economy. They are watermelons. CCP through and through

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  • #
    UK-Weather Lass

    UK energy policy has been bereft of intelligent thought since Thatcher, and even Thatcher failed to deliver her promise of a new nuclear start every year of her term of office, managing just one start in her ten years plus. Nobody who understands electricity generation and grid stability has ever pushed intermittent and so called renewables as proxies for proper baseload delivery, and yet every prime minister since Thatcher fell has neglected to understand the need for sensible policy. They were just so busy gathering votes from a gullible public fed misinformation and lies by selfish and profiteering virtue signallers. Neither wind turbines nor solar panels have solved anything other than some local and sensible small scale projects unintended as replacements for baseload capacity. It remains to be seen just how far Johnson (or his replacement) will step out of fashion and actually supply the public with the truth, however unpopular that truth may be with the insane green lobby which includes the unfit for purpose IPCC and its cronies.

    As harmful as unplanned powercuts may be they actually hit people where it hurts via inconvenience and even loss, and could seriously interrupt vital services generating situations that can easily get out of control. We are still trying to deal with a mob who will not let the effects of SARS-CoV-2 go, including the BBC and the Guardian who have become propaganda machines and truth deniers. The BBC today covered a story of a woman in Spain who was claimed by researchers to have been infected twice by the virus inside thirty days but when you actually read what has been reported viz the woman tested positive on day one but had no symptoms and then tested positive again when she had a cough and fever. It was claimed that tests showed she had been infected by the delta virus first time and a new variant the second time. As the tests were both PCR and there is no explanation as to how resolute the tests were the story should be taken with a large pinch of salt but it goes to show just what free thinking people are up against.

    We badly need a leader we just don’t seem to have on the books.

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  • #
    Dennis

    It is worrying that UN globalist political agrendas using the climate hoax and related creatively accounted warming trend modelling figures to successfully, with help from wealthy fellow travellers and crony capitalism increasing wealth and influence seekers, for as long as they have and despite what were the obvious future consequences now being revealed by the energy crisis.

    And that our elected representatives in the majority who are elected to govern in our best interests have been willing partners.

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      • #
        Dennis

        MP how do I learn the truth and you apparently cannot?

        I have posted and reposted this and even the transcript of the video link address by our Prime Minister to the WEF Conference in January 2022 held in Davos, Switzerland.

        In his address to the delegates he said Australia would not adopt the WEF economic model.

        He was mildly sarcastic in describing the WEF model and went on to say that Australia will continue to follow free enterprise (capitalism to leftists), private sector businesses and aim for improvements to national prosperity.

        [the economy is growing again after the COVID recession and at a remarkable 3.5% GDP growth. This week the OECD predicted this will rise to 4.1% GDP growth in the near future.]

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        • #
          MP

          I was the one that put that link on one of your comments to start with. How do I hear what he says, yet see his actions are the opposite of his words.
          The stats are manipulated, the globalist recovery plan is to talk up the economy and talk down unemployment, talk, smirko’s specialty.

          I am in a tourist area, the place is dead tourist wise, what remains is on sit down money.
          The pubs here are on 50% less trade, staff cut by 50%, every other business closed. I see and you hear.

          You don’t learn the truth you hear political spin and believe what comes out of professional liars mouths. I see the truth in their actions.
          How did you get to old age being so gullible?

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  • #
    GreatAuntJanet

    Matt Ridley’s latest blog is railing against the evils of wind power in the UK, and not only the subsidies but the proposed easing of planning guidelines, so that wind farm developers won’t even have to get community or council approval!
    https://www.rationaloptimist.com/blog/the-madness-of-wind-worship/

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    David Maddison

    Since the Left and their useless idiots constantly claim (lie) that wind and solar is cheaper than reliable coal, gas and nuclear power you might find that the answer given is that the solution given is even more wind and solar subsidy farms and domestic solar installations.

    And solar in the Once Great Britain? Bizarre!

    The green madness and the dumbing-down of almost the entire society by the Left means that people have lost their minds and their ability to reason.

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      Dennis

      I am at a loss to know what we can do after being told by a must under 40 years of age lawyer not to worrying about closure of power stations because they will be replaced with batteries.

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        David Maddison

        The cluelessness of people making the decisions is simply staggering, as is the cluelessness of the media who are too stupid to even know what questions to ask and the dumbed-down Sheeple in general.

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        sophocles

        (… good. Added that to my ‘Iggerance-Sheet.’)

        Did you ask him why he wasn’t working hard at it?
        After all, it’s an ‘obvious’ strategy … 😀

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        Ronin

        A lawyer is only a lawyer because they failed maths.

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      OldOzzie

      And solar in the Once Great Britain? Bizarre!

      Same as Solar in the once Sunny Sydney

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    David Maddison

    That Once Great Britain is the first Anglo democracy to collapse is probably no surprise or mistake.

    The nation is symbolic of all the things the Left hate such as:

    -the mother country of the (once) great Anglo democracies Australia, Canada, NZ, USA.

    -liberating much of the known world from primitive tribal beliefs and giving them advanced systems of knowledge, a legal system and management of their societies.

    -the country where the first reliable steam engine was developed.

    -commercial exploitation of coal to run the steam engines.

    -the cheap reliable power of the steam engine leading to the industrial revolution.

    -a major contributor to the scientific revolution based on reason and logic.

    -the Industrial Revolution leading to a dramatically improved standard of living and abindance for the common person.

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  • #
    Graeme No.3

    There is actually somewhere that has cheap electricity from renewables – I think the Germans call it Cloud Cuckoo Land.

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      Robber

      There is Tasmania, and the south island of NZ with low cost electricity. Both with abundant hydro, and low populations.

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    Erasmus

    Somebody summarised climate change as being “all about the destruction of the middle classes”.
    I’d go so far as to say that everything the left has done and remains intent on to this very day can be summed up as the destruction of western democracies.
    They have very nearly done it, and will do it soon.

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      el+gordo

      Seems like a lot of people agree with you, but as you know the left is a broad church. Labor and the Greens are ignorant on climate change science and need to be reeducated, they are of the middle class and don’t want to destroy it.

      Western democracies are going through turbulent times and some are on the brink of becoming failed states, how can we avert disaster?

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    Erasmus

    Wind and solar might have some use as minor off-grid applications, and even then with a diesel genny as backup.
    What we have witnessed is the huge political failure of deciding they can be at the forefront of the national grid supply.
    Politicians have sown the wind and will reap the whilrwind, supposedly “looking after the planet”.
    Idiots and complicit media.

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      Dennis

      On local radio during this week a farmer from QLD provided a very amusing account of wind turbines near his property and his observations, how often none or only some are rotating, that a few have been awaiting repairs for months, and he asked how the business could be profitable, if it is profitable.

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      • #

        Dennis its easy. A typical example of taxpayer funded Windmill economics is demonstrated by Holmes a Court’s Hepburn two windmill factory. In 2021 this factory (not a Farm) achieved a miserable capacity factor of 15.5% (compared with 30% planned) yet still made a handsome after tax profit of $355,000.

        This was due to a taxpayer funded, State Government grant of $1,060,000 in addition to the revenue from electricity and RE certificate sales.

        In summary these windmills generated 6,228 MWh for which they were paid $1,596,000 or a staggering $256.26/MWh.

        No wonder Holmes a Court is backing a bunch of political “Independents” to further his very profitable, Errrrr save the planet Klimate operations.

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          Dennis

          Costing taxpayers over $7 billion every year for direct subsidies for the profit of solar and wind energy installation business owners.

          Yes, all based on the climate hoax, and crony capitalism wealth creation.

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    Mike+Jonas

    “no country on Earth has lots of intermittent renewables AND cheap electricity”.

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    Dennis

    Breitbart

    Chinese state media announced on Wednesday that coal production will increase by a whopping 300 million tons in 2022 to “ensure energy supplies,” making a mockery of Beijing’s breezy promises to climate change activists.

    The Chinese Communist government enjoys lecturing the rest of the world about climate change and signing high-profile global warming treaties with gullible and opportunistic Western leaders like President Joe Biden, but when the rubber hits the road, China’s steely-eyed rulers will do whatever it takes to keep their factories humming. If that means burning epic amounts of high-pollution coal, both within China’s borders and across its Third World interests, then so be it.

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      David-of-Cooyal-in-Oz

      The Chinese commitment, welcomed by Obama, was that it would reach its peak CO2 by 2030, and then consider its options. With no nomination of its expected peak, and enthusiastically building more big coal fired power stations, they are meeting their commitment in spades.

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    David Maddison


    no country on Earth has lots of intermittent renewables AND cheap electricity.

    The fact that some believe this is possible is classic doublethink: I.e.:

    “Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.”

    The Left, at least their army of useless idiots, seem to “think” that you can really have cheap solar and wind power but that is OBVIOUSLY not true and has NEVER been demonstrated.

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    John

    I think you’ll find that those subsidies are contractual obligations that still have some years to run. The levies might be easy to remove, but without them how could the subsidies be funded?

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      PeterS

      Destroy our economy all because we have to abide by contractual obligations? I say stuff them; stop the craziness against of fossil fuel and let’s get back to common sense. It’s not too late to do so but the problem is time is fast running out, and the contractual obligations have too many years to run so break them. Our very lives are dependent on going back to common sense. The trouble of course is such common sense doesn’t appear to be very common.

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    Neville

    I feel sorry for the poor people, pensioners and brainwashed kids in the UK, but I hate the elites, the pollies, so called scientists and the MSM who’ve allowed this S & W idiocy to thrive.
    But Aussies should ask themselves who they’ll vote for next month and where their preferences will end up.
    Albo, Labor + Greens are very enthused about S & W and will also copy the UK lunacy to the letter if they win govt in May.
    At least the Coalition still understand the importance of BASE-LOAD power like Coal and Gas and will certainly not close any more power stns down for the foreseeable future.
    And of course the entire argument is fra-dulent nonsense, because Human life expectancy has increased to 73 years today even with a doubling of population since 1970, from 3.7 billion ( life exp then 56.5 years) then to 7.9 billion today.
    How anyone has been able to sell this nonsense to the world is a complete mystery to me and their criminal solution of fra-dulent, TOXIC S & W energy should be stopped today.
    That’s why I’m making sure that Labor + Greens will be last on the ballot paper for the House of reps and the Senate. It’s just plain commonsense.

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      Neville

      And the same old story for King Island this morning with Diesel 90%+ and S & W under 10% and a FLAT battery.
      What lunacy to think of running a country with this type of combination, yet the loonies still BELIEVE?

      https://www.hydro.com.au/clean-energy/hybrid-energy-solutions/success-stories/king-island

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      David Maddison

      That’s why I’m making sure that Labor + Greens will be last on the ballot paper for the House of reps and the Senate. 

      I will put them last also but the Libs will be only slightly above them.

      I will be putting the small pro-freedom, pro-science parties ahead of them.

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        Dennis

        Because of Australia’s preferential trickle-down lottery like voting system if a voter prefers a minor party candidate as primary vote [1] they are best advised to mark the Liberal or National candidate as [2].

        Remember that the Greens effectively handed Labor 15 seats on preferences at the 2019 Federal Election, and as former PM Howard once commented, “a vote for Greens is effectively a vote for Labor” meaning on preferences.

        So this 2022 election conservative voters have to consider the Greens and the Teal candidates masquerading as Independent as the same political position with emphasis on “climate change” agendas. So Green and Teal last two places if candidates in your electorate, Labor above them.

        Please consider the manoeuvring taking place in the far left political spectrum position including “crony capitalist” supporters and backers, and that includes Union Movement and their GetUp actist organisation, also via industry super funds investments pushing renewables, etc.

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          MP

          As Slomo has stated he will not be preferencing minor parties or independents, what does that leave, Lab/Grn?

          Who are they preferencing.

          My Lib candidate at the last election preferenced the Labor party, sent the majority to minor parties.

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          • #
            Dennis

            I can guess why, like when the Liberal candidate for Hobart Tasmania preferenced an Independent to avoid handing preference votes to the sitting Labor MP who lost to the Independent.

            Could also be if a Greens candidate was the choice after Liberal and Labor.

            Recently Liberal Michael Kroger from Victoria commented on Sky News that directing preferences to Labor was a better option than Greens of Teal Independent candidates.

            We voters mostly doing not have the knowledge to analyse the numbers and elections.

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          Evo of Gong

          It is fairly obvious that many, if not most, people don’t understand Australia’s preferential voting system. Using marbles to represent votes, Topher Field has created an educational video of how the system works both for the Lower House and the Senate at: https://www.topherfield.net/
          Personally I will be giving the Freedom Friendly parties (One Nation, UAP and Lib Dems) my first and subsequent preferences and putting the major Parties and faux Independants last.

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          New Chum

          Dennis you mentioned the Union Movement are you aware that the Labor Party is the Political Wing of the Union Movement?
          It was at a Union Conference that a number of taxes which included franking credits which was item 37 Policy Reform and
          it was for the Politian’s to implement.

          37. Congress recognizes the need to consider tax policy areas in detail, including, in addition to those addressed in this Policy,
          wealth and inheritance tax, the taxation treatment of dividend imputation and franking credits, and measures to fund public infrastructures.

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            Dennis

            Yes, during 2006 award winning journalist Max Walsh wrote in The Bulletin Magazine about the “corporate-style takeover” of the ALP by the Union Movement and them placing union trained executives in safe Labor seats, objective control of all Australia’s governments.

            And now in 2022 Union Labor have WA, SA, VIC, QLD, ACT and NT governments.

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      • #
        Neville

        And ditto from me David and I hope those smaller parties voters do the same.
        But I should say that I have a lot more faith in Morrison and Frydenburg’s priorities on economic policies as well.
        Labor + Greens pulling the economic levers is a big worry to me and the boats + people smugglers fiasco starting up again fills me with dread.
        Then we have the left’s cancel culture and child abuse in the early years teaching little kids about contrived gender issues + girls/women having to compete against boys/men and then using the same showers and toilet facilities.
        I admire the young Liberal Women standing up to these bullies and the MSM and most are young mothers who have daughters and I understand their concern.

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          Serp

          Were the general public fully apprised of the Labor commitment to SOGI principles the party would be unelectable; again the MSM fails in its duty to inform us.

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      Tel

      But Aussies should ask themselves who they’ll vote for next month and where their preferences will end up.

      At least I know that my preferences will end up exactly where I put them, because that’s how preferences work when you number all the boxes.

      It’s your choice, not the party … not telling you who to vote for, but I am telling you not to blame the preference system if all you can do is follow the “How to vote” card someone stuffs in your hand.

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    OldOzzie

    Problem is listening to my youngest Grandkids, the brainwashing at School is intense and my youngest daughter is very green in thoughts (however she always leaves lights on and fans running when she goes out)

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      MP

      My brother goes on about “won’t someone think of the polar bears”. Sold his V8 FPV and brought a …….Mustang, imported from the USA. Its everyone else’s job to save the planet while they concentrate of virtue signalling.

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        David Maddison

         “won’t someone think of the polar bears”.

        https://climateataglance.com/climate-at-a-glance-polar-bears-and-climate/

        Polar bear populations have increased dramatically during recent decades, despite the modest global warming that has occurred over the same period.

        The estimated polar bear population has quadrupled since 1950, rising from 10,000 bears in 1950 to 39,000 bears today.

        Polar bears evolved between 6 million years ago and 350,000 years ago, and they survived and even thrived, in much warmer climates than what we’re seeing today.

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          MP

          I just pointed him toward Susan Crockford, and said do some research. I do this just to humour myself, as there is no way he will counter his ABC and Koshie telling him what to think.

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          b.nice

          “Polar bear populations have increased dramatically during recent decades, despite BECAUSE OF the modest global warming “

          There, Fixed.

          Really hard for PBs to hunt on 100% sea ice. !

          They need access to “edges, where seals “pup”, and the less distance they have to go to get there, the easier the food supply.

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    Peter Fitzroy

    IN the Daily Mail article, referenced in the post above, the policy costs (those are green subsides, Winter Warmth Scheme, and Feed In Tariffs) dropped from 12% of the bill to 8%, while network operating costs rose by 39% and 9%

    In Money terms (british pounds)
    Policy 159 – 153
    Network 268 – 371
    operating 203 – 220

    tell me again how it is the fault of “Green Levies”

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      b.nice

      Pay attention for once. !

      Nearly all those Network and operating cost rises are because of green energy.

      Their introduction into the grid creates a huge increase in running costs due to instability of supply.

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        Peter Fitzroy

        prove it using the article posted, which covers everything you assert.

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        • #

          You must have missed this post Peter. We’ve already shown that the more wind and solar a nation has, the more expensive the electricity is.

          https://joannenova.com.au/2018/01/who-would-have-thought-nations-with-more-renewables-have-more-expensive-electricity/

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            Peter Fitzroy

            Thanks for the reminder, but in this case we are talking about those ‘green levies’

            To you point, low efficiency systems like wind and solar impose significant costs on the energy supply. that is their downside

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            • #

              Shame they have no upside then, apart from extremely remote locations not connected to the grid. And even then they are not cheaper to run than diesel.

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          b.nice

          Peter, It is obvious that you have never read anything that has been posted before.

          You don’t need to that ignorant of what has been posted many times.

          That is why I say… “Pay attention” .. in the vain hope that you might try to learn some of the basic facts behind these issues.

          The cost of implementation of unreliable power supplies into the grid is huge. !

          The cost of reliable generators having to ramp up and down is also huge. !

          The cost of maintaining reliable suppliers so they are ready to cover for wind and solar on the many occasions they are non-productive, is also huge.

          Gas peakers especially add huge costs because they don’t earn when not providing (unlike wind does)

          It is far cheaper to run reliable suppliers at optimum production level.

          It is a pity that you aren’t capable of comprehending these basic facts.

          Is it because your warped ideology won’t let you, or some other reason?

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            Peter Fitzroy

            we are talking subsidies, try to pay attention

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            • #

              The subsides are buried Peter. Most western governments will not even calculate them and be transparent anymore. They used to brag about them.

              Now they conceal the cost of extra tranmission lines, Snowy 2.0, FCAS, synchronous condensers, demand management, high voltage surges, back up generators, etc etc etc etc etc etc ….

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              b.nice

              No, we are talking the huge costs that having unreliable erratic supplies cause to the grid and to the people.

              Glad you realise that once subsidies and mandates are removed, wind and solar will collapse in a heap.

              Most people want cheap reliable electricity.. Wind and solar can provide neither.

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              Graeme No.3

              If subsidies are reducing why is the average household bill going up?

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      Graeme No.3

      Because the bill has gone UP. So the percentages have gone down but overall the payout is higher.

      One of the ‘adjustments’ is that the wholesale cost/price of electricity quadrupled from (approx) £50 to around £200 a MWh.
      This meant that wind turbines were actually profitable and subsidies paid out dropped. The rise in network operating costs was caused by the extra cost of balancing the grid.

      The whole scheme is looney, complicated and will bring down the government unless they change. Expecting more turbines to be built inside a year or nuclear inside 5 years is ludicrous. The only options are getting more gas by outbidding everybody else or starting frakking of known reserves. It might help if the surviving coal-fired stations got reliable supplies and recently shutdown ones (those that weren’t immediately demolished) were up-graded and brought back into service. Even the existing 2 coal-fired stations are out-generating wind & solar (and those burning wood could be converted back).

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        Peter Fitzroy

        What maths are you using? I gave you the actual values.

        when a CEO of a defunct energy company can continue to draw a salary of 250,000 ponds – that is where the problem is.

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          b.nice

          “I gave you the actual values. “

          Yes, and they confirm exactly what Gr3 said.

          Network, and wholesale cost.. both are heading rapidly upwards because of the green agenda

          Implementation and stabilisation of the grid due to too much erratic supply, is horrendously expensive.

          Gas costs, well, the UK could be using their own gas, but the green agenda won’t let them.

          That means that have to rely on competing against several other countries for deliberately curtailed supplies (by the green agenda, yet again).

          Do you comprehend basic supply and demand !

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          Graeme No.3

          Peter,
          I agree with you that is a problem, but overall the effect on the electricity bill for millions of users would be minimal. The problem is that there are too many drawing fabulous money from the whole scam.

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          • #
            b.nice

            “drawing fabulous money from the whole scam.”

            Yep, the companies drawing massive subsidies and payments from reliable supplier…. those are the ones Peter will never complain about.

            I guess because he knows that on a level playing field, wind and solar would be greatly diminished, or disappear altogether.

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      Tel

      The biggest policy cost is the UK moratorium on fracking in England, Scotland and Wales.

      This means they must import most of their gas, which in turn is the reason for high wholesale natural gas costs. You will notice that is the largest increase on the bill.

      That said, given the sudden shock of losing access to Russian gas, it would take huge additional supply to offset worldwide demand. The fracking moratorium was in 2019, putting them years behind, and trying to turn it around now at the last minute will inevitably require years to catch back up again.

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    Lawrie

    I just sent this to David Gillespie and Matt Kean. David will thank me and Matt the Green Kean will ignore me. Send these articles to your representatives. If they don’t read it their uneducated advisors might.

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    OldOzzie

    A Tale from One flew overs the Cuckoo’s nest

    Coal mines to be spared from emission reduction rules, says Labor

    Labor MPs defending their seats in NSW’s Hunter Valley say every coal mine in Australia will be exempt from having to buy carbon credits or reduce emissions under the party’s climate change policy, because their international competitors face no similar requirements.

    Opposition assistant spokesman for climate change Pat Conroy, who holds the seat of Shortland, and MP Meryl Swanson, from the neighbouring seat of Paterson, gave the assurance after accusing the Coalition, which is eyeing off three seats in the Hunter, of trying to “scare the sh@t” out of coal miners.

    Queensland Nationals senator Matt Canavan said the safeguards mechanism in Labor’s policy, which requires the nation’s 215 heaviest polluters to collectively reduce emissions over time, would capture 15 coal mines in the Hunter, as well as the Tomago aluminium smelter and the Orica chemical plant.

    The 215 emitters would be required to reduce aggregate emissions by 5 million tonnes a year to collectively achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

    The policy includes “tailored treatment” for emissions intensive, trade-exposed industries (EITES), so they are not disadvantaged against overseas competitors.

    The emissions reduction trajectory of each polluter, and the exemption for EITES, will be administered by the Clean Energy Regulator.

    The policy says the Clean Energy Regulator, in consultation with the company, would determine the emission reduction baselines for each polluter.

    Senator Canavan said this meant Labor was in no position to give blanket guarantees about exemptions.

    “Labor is trying to hoodwink coal miners in the Hunter. Their local MPs are saying that coal mines will be exempt from buying carbon credits, but Labor’s national policy says no such thing,” he said.

    “All Labor’s policy says is that they will provide “tailored treatment” for emissions-intensive, trade-exposed industries. There is nostanding exemption for coal mines.

    “Miners have very good BS detectors, and they smell a rat. If Labor continues to play tricky with workers in the Hunter, they could very well lose the seat for the first time in history.”

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      MP

      We’ve heard that before, “there will be no carbon tax under a government I run” lasted until the day after the election.

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        Dennis

        Reason being that the 2010 Federal Election resulted in Labor losing and being forced to form an alliance minority government, their friends the Greens part of that alliance, and the payoff was the never under a government PM Gillard led carbon tax and not often mentioned renewable energy surcharge, both 10 per cent on electricity bills plus 10 per cent GST.

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    David Maddison

    Like any predator the Chicomms are ready to pounce upon signs of weakness.

    It’s no mistake that they are about to build a major military base within what uses to be Australia’s area of influence, the Solomon Islands.

    The Chicomms see Australia’s fanatical commitment to wind and solar, very bad under Libs, even worse under Green Labor, as a sure sign of weakness.

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    I know I keep saying something similar most of the time, and it could get boring, but it’s something that needs to be constantly shown, and that’s the difference between Nameplate and the actual generated power delivered to the grid for consumption.

    When it comes to those two renewables of choice Wind Plants and (Commercial grid connected large scale) Solar Plants, the total Nameplate comes in at 15,000MW. The Nameplate for Coal fired power is 23000MW.

    So coal fired power is (ostensibly) 1.5 times larger than those two renewables.

    However, when it comes to generated power Coal fired power delivers just over FOUR times the power.

    You can’t even consider those two renewables as ….. replacement for coal fired power.

    When it comes to rooftop solar power, the difference is even starker.

    Rooftop Solar has a Nameplate now of (around, as no one knows the exact figure) 26,000MW. So it is in fact a larger Nameplate than coal fired power, by a factor of 1.3.

    However, when it comes to actual generated power, coal fired power delivers 7.9 times the power.

    Now here, the power which is generated IS actually consumed, so take away that coal fired power, and there’s nothing.

    To replace it with wind and solar you need FOUR times what you have right now ON TOP OF what you have now, and even then, there will be times when it is only working at 5% of its Nameplate, or zero from Solar all night every night.

    Just what do you do when that happens?

    Australia just ….. stops.

    I know I might sound like a booster for coal fired power, but that second last sentence above is the most important thing here ….. JUST WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THAT HAPPENS?

    Tony.

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    • #
      Neville

      Tony that King Island generator system is a disaster and a few minutes ago the Diesel was at 100% and S & W SFA and the battery was still FLAT.
      So how could this work for Australia using just S & W and no BASE-LOAD support?

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      David Maddison

      Not boring Tony. Keep saying it.

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        wal1957

        Absolutely.
        I always enjoy the posts from Tony.
        I especially appreciate the fact that he makes it easy for a layman such as myself to understand the points he is conveying.

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    Neville

    Tony your accurate comments are appreciated every time you make them and I hope you continue and as often as you like.
    But the true believers couldn’t care less about data and evidence and this same sort of malady seeps through the entire so called Climate science nonsense.

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      David Maddison

      But the true believers couldn’t care less about data and evidence 

      The key concept here is an idea embraced by the Left called “social constructionism” (or constructivism).

      https://qz.com/798268/presidential-debate-a-philosopher-explains-why-facts-are-irrelevant-to-donald-trump-and-hillary-clinton/

      The malleable nature of facts is a particular preoccupation in one field of philosophy. “Social constructivism” argues that there are simply no objective facts. Instead, every “fact” we believe is a reflection of our socially constructed values, and how we choose to perceive the world. This is not a new theory, and develops many of its ideas from Karl Marx and Friedrich Nietzsche, who examined shifting human values from a historical perspective in the 19th century. But the current political debate offers a vivid demonstration of these ideas.

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        Neville

        David, I think data and evidence is easily found in two of my comments about a week ago and I include them again.

        “Never forget that the claim that Humans are facing an EXISTENTIAL THREAT if we don’t lower co2 emissions is a complete LIE and FRA-DULENT nonsense.
        Here’s the data since the start of the IND REV until today.
        In 1800 the average Human life expectancy was under 40 and had been for the previous 200,000 years.
        Here’s what happened in just 222 years.
        So 200 K to reach the first 1 billion by 1800. Then just 127 years ( 1927) to reach 2 billion. Life exp under 45.

        Then just 33 years ( 1960) to reach 3 billion. Life exp 50 years
        Then just 14 years ( 1974) to reach 4 billion. Life exp 58.5 yrs
        Then just 13 years ( 1987) to reach 5 billion. Life exp 63.4 yrs.
        Then just 12 years ( 1999) to reach 6 billion. Life exp 66 yrs.
        Then just 12 years (2011) to reach 7 billion people. Life exp 70 yrs.
        Then just 12 years ( 2023) to reach 8 billion people. Life exp 73 + yrs. See link Macro-trends. As at 2022 life exp is 73 and population is over 7.9 billion people. THINK ABOUT THESE NUMBERS and the 7.9 bn Humans are OBVIOUSLY healthier today and wealthier today. See OWI data for more proof.

        But the rate of increase in pop has declined since the 1960s, except Africa. Hooray for FOSSIL FUELS and of course they GENERATE over 80% of the World’s TOTAL energy today.”

        https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/WLD/world/life-expectancy

        “The life exp above is for the entire world, but is much higher or 80 yrs + for wealthy OECD countries.
        But poor Africa ( 53 countries) is catching up and today is about 63 years ( about the same as the world life exp in 1987) and over 1 billion more people since 1970 even after fighting the HIV/AIDS and Malaria disasters for over 40 years.
        So where is this so called EXISTENTIAL CLIMATE THREAT in our poorest continent in the last half century? THINK ABOUT IT?”

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    The UK has plenty of Coal to power the Energy Network for Industry and keeping people warm and cosy in winter time. Just find a way to dig it up economically and the problem is solved. CO2 is a harmless gas vital for all Life on Earth. More CO2 please……….

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    Ross

    Tony – don’t stop saying it, it’s not boring. From my home I can drive all points of the compass and within 30 minutes be passing wind turbines. A significant portion of that time those wind turbines are motionless.

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    Graeme No.3

    I would guess that most readers aren’t interested in South Australian politics but I thought that one item may be of interest.

    The former Deputy Premier in the former Liberal government has announced her retirement one month after the State election in which she was returned by her safe seat (Bragg) although with an 8.8% swing against her.
    It was a rocky time for her in the lead up to the election as she was expelled from Parliament by a vote of no confidence (over a conflict of interest matter which she was alleged to have mislead the House about), which prompted her loss of the Deputy Leader position. The conflict of interest matter is being examined and a report is due shortly. The report was set down to be released after the election and parliament did not sit after that.

    She will lose her $200,000 salary but will get a pension of $300,000. Apparently this will not be affected by any finding.

    I expect that when the “renewables scam” proves disastrous that quite a number of politicians will make a Chapman exit.

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    Robber

    What drives electricity prices in Australia?
    NEM market March: Solar 15%, Wind 10.4% average prices per AEMO: Tas $75/MWhr, Qld $147, SA $78, NSW $141, Vic $55
    NEM market April: Solar 12.8%, Wind 10.6% average prices per AEMO: Tas $135/MWhr, Qld $213, SA $156, NSW $188, Vic $137
    As Tony has explained on several occasions, prices are set by the highest bidder every 5-30 minutes.
    That is generally gas.
    According to OpenNEM, in March CCGT provided 4.3% and was priced at $194, OCGT provided 1.2% price $410, gas (steam) 0.6% price $146.
    In April, CCGT 2.3% at $290, OCGT 2.5% at $380, gas (steam) 1.5% at $240.
    Has a small change in the mix of gas generators driven this price hike?
    Interestingly, on an annual basis, Qld has had the biggest overall price hike per AEMO, from $62 to $128, with coal generation dropping from 77 to 72%,

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      MP

      Wonder how Russia is going with inflation, they can make and grow all their own stuff, have ample mineral reserves. Probably has gotten cheaper to live there!

      The west sanctioned themselves.

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    OldOzzie

    Anglos: Go Woke, Go Broke!

    Remember last year when Anglos got rid of their thermal coal assets in South Africa, doing the “woke politically correct” thing. Well, what another brilliant wealth-creating exercise. Look at what has happened to the coal “assets” (more like liabilities in Anglo’s eyes):

    Oh, my gracious! Look at the valuations and returns.

    Isn’t it bizarre? Just 7 months ago Europe was sending a delegation to South Africa with the aim of getting the country off coal. From Bloomberg:

    Well, lookie here… fast forward 7 months:

    We shake our heads, but we aren’t complaining. As you’ll recall we laughed at the absurdity of it all when it was happening.

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    John Connor II

    Via Martin A.

    The European Union has begun drafting its proposal for an embargo on Russian oil imports. They are pretending this is its latest response to the war in Ukraine, While this is what they told the New York Times citing Brussels officials and diplomats, they are pushing their Green Agenda cloaked in Russia sanctions.

    While they are suggesting that this embargo will most likely be introduced in a gradual manner, citing the similar planned Russian coal embargo, they are projecting this to begin in August in order to give importers time to find alternative suppliers. Yet the day before, I was in a discussion about kicking Hungary out because of the election and its pro-Russia position. While that I warned would sever the Balkans and we will see even more Eastern European nations side with Russia, in part this discussion I believe was driven by the fact that Hungary opposes any oil embargo against Russia.

    Hungary has warned that an energy embargo would impact its economy not just by raising the cost of living but would significantly reduce productivity. Brussels is discussing a phased approach because other member states will end up agreeing with Hungary.

    In discussions also with high-level sources in the Middle East, OPEC has already warned that it would not be in a position to fill the gap left by embargoed Russian supply. This is what really reveals the true purpose is using Ukraine as an excuse to impose an embargo. While the embargo may publicly be about crude oil, some claim it would extend to natural gas. That would completely devastate the European economy and if Putin was smart, he would turn off the gas now and give Europe a taste of its own insanity.

    The EU is in SERIOUS trouble across the board. I certainly wouldn’t want to be living there.

    Go on Putin – pull the plug and wake ’em up!

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    Lance

    On occasion, remedial education is warranted. Thus begins the Lesson, by Dr. Thomas Sowell:

    It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.

    You will never understand bureaucracies until you understand that for bureaucrats, procedure is everything and outcomes are nothing.

    The real minimum wage is zero.

    “One of the most important reasons for studying history is that virtually every stupid idea that is in vogue today has been tried before and proved disastrous before, time and again.”

    “At one time, educators boasted that their role was not to teach students what to think but how to think. Today, their role is far too often to teach students what to think on everything from immigration to global warming to the new sacred trinity of ‘race, class and gender.'”

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      David Maddison

      Thomas Sowell is great! Even more so because he is hated by the Left since they especially hate black conservatives who the Left in America want to keep as welfare slaves as shown by all DemocRAT ruled cities.

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    David Maddison

    How much longer do you think that the Left and the anti-energy lobby can keep maintaining the lie that solar and wind unreliables are cheaper than coal, gas, nuclear and proper hydro (not SH2)?

    What exactly does it take to make the Sheeple wake up?

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  • #

    Oh dear, another green dream turns into a nightmare for the common man (and woman). Rich activists, the latte set and billionaires feeding off the subsidies are laughing all the way to the bank.

    As I have said continuously, as an engineer, RE is incompatible with our current grid setup given that storage is so expensive. Hopefully those freezing in their homes in the UK this winter tell Boris to shove it and elect politicians who are in the real world and actually care about people rather than just impressing their Leftist mates.

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      b.nice

      “just impressing their Leftist mates.”

      In Boris’s case, “mate” is the operative term !

      Imagine if he actually cancelled all the green agenda.. no more nooky, like, forever !!

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    David Maddison

    If wind and solar really were cheaper, free market forces would have caused their adoption.

    They wouldn’t need subsidies or forced purchase of a fundamentally defective product.

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    Ronin

    It’s all a scam and we the plebs are being played.

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    OldOzzie

    IT’S TIME FOR AUSTRALIA TO VOTE FOR CHANGE

    It is time to VOTE FOR REAL CHANGE – break Green Power by ranking all parties and candidates and putting the greenest last.

    Check out Topher Field on how Preferential Voting works to get the best candidate elected:

    With thoughtful and disciplined behaviour at the ballot box (for BOTH Senate and House of Reps) we can get rid of the duds and stop the green rot.

    First job – identify the worst candidates and parties. Preference them last on both House of Reps and Senate ballot papers when you vote.

    The most dangerous candidates in this election are The Sneaky Greens – they pose as independents but are being supported by rich climate crazies and, if elected, will soon appear in their deep green uniforms. Unless you know better, put all “independents”, Climate 200 and Get-Up supported candidates last.

    Just above them put the declared Greens and their allies in the ALP. Then select all Liberals above all of the Green/ALP alliance.

    Then focus on who should get your top votes. Choose your numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 etc candidates from the Freedom-Friendly-Minor-Parties.

    For the House of Reps, number every square, in order, giving preference to the parties below:

    · Campbell Newman, Topher Field and the Liberal Democrats

    · Pauline Hanson, George Christensen and the PHON Candidates

    · Clive Palmer, Craig Kelly and United Australia Candidates

    · Bob Katter and Katter Australia Party

    · Shooters, Fishers and Farmers

    · Citizen Party and some Christian parties

    · Lastly Nationals, then Liberals, then Labor, then Greens

    Number every square all the way down to Unknowns and the climate crazy “independents”.

    For the Senate (which may have a large complicated white ballot paper) it is safer and easier to number every square above the line, using the same party ranking rules as above.

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    MP

    One nations latest cartoon, we got to keep this party in just for their unbiased cartoons.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsasBZY4ET0

    Little bit about coal right at the end, so on topic, sort of.

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    […] Energy Crisis in the UK: 40% face fuel poverty by winter and Govt may finally stop “Green Levi… […]

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