Archived News for Green Sector Professionals
The Western Australian Government has announced the commencement of the installation of the first panels at Australia’s largest solar photovoltaic power project.
The Greenough River Solar Farm is a 10-megawatt facility 50km south of Geraldton, with construction of the above ground electrical works starting four months ago to support the 150,000 solar panels across an area of 80 hectares.
The plant, which has been received $20 million in state funding, is expected to open in late July.
“No other jurisdiction in Australia has done what we are doing here in the Mid-West region of Western Australia, and this development clearly illustrates that, once again, we are setting the standard for the rest of the nation,” State Energy Minister Peter Collier said.
“The Greenough River Solar project will generate enough electricity for 3,000 average homes while displacing 20,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas each year, which is the equivalent of taking 4,000 vehicles off the road.
“There is an appetite for solar energy and an expectation that governments and electricity generators like Verve Energy will build solar farms and other renewable energy projects. I look forward to returning here in a few months to open this magnificent development.”
BAF to see off red tape
The Business Advisory Forum (BAF) has agreed to reform that will expedite environmental approvals and assessments at its inaugural meeting.
Qantas to undertake biofuel study
Qantas has announced it will conduct a feasibility study into the potential of an Australian sustainable aviation fuel industry, backed by funding from the Federal Government after the company conducted a successful test flight of an Airbus A330 fueled by a 50-50 blend of biofuel and regulat jet fuel.
SA passes water industry legislation
The South Australian Government has passed the Water Industry Act that forms part of the largest overhaul of the State’s water sector in its history.
Worldwatch raises concern over consumerism
US based environmental research group Worldwatch has published its Sate of the World 2012, warning that current trends of consumerism cannot be sustained and that more must be done to ensure development does not further compromise environmental health.
New CEO of the Clean Energy Council appointed
Clean Energy Council appoints UK clean energy pioneer David Green as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Melbourne to lead a new global network on Sustainable Urban Development
The City of Melbourne and C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group have announced that Melbourne will lead a new global network on Sustainable Urban Development.
Sydney rolls out historic LED lighting scheme
In an Australian first, Sydney has begun installing the first batch of energy-efficient LED street and park lights.
$12 million for solar development
The Federal Government has announced close to $12 million in funding to bolster developments in the solar technology sector.
Australia pushes for link with EU trading scheme
The Federal Government and the European Union have confirmed their ‘strong commitment’ to working towards linking their respective Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS), during bilateral talks in Brussels.
CER begins operations
The Federal Government’s Clean Energy Regulator has commenced operations, with responsibility over a broad range of Government initatives.
SA blasts Murray plan
The South Australian Government has blasted the Murray-Darling Basin Authority’s (MDBA) draft plan, saying the allocated 2750 gigalitres for environmental flow is not enough to return the system to a state of health.
Cash for containers hits the road
The Northern Territory Government and Envirobank has announced the new cash for containers mobile depot will be operational shortly after Easter and will service large and small-scale volumes of returned containers.
Murray slams carbon tax
David Murray, the outgoing chairman of the multi-billion national Future Fund, has savaged the Federal Government’s carbon tax, describing it as the “worst piece of economic reform” has ever seen.
Government releases new carbon farming handbook
The Federal Government has released a new handbook to assist farmers, landholders, waste operators and other clean energy businesses take part in the Federal Government’s Carbon Farmining Initative.
NZ to launch fracking investigation
The New Zealand Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Dr Jan Wright, has announced a broad investigation into hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
WA commits $14.5 million to sustainable fisheries
The Western Australian Government has outlined $14.5 million in funding over the next four years on a program to seek third party sustainability certification for the state’s commercial fisheries.
WHC team arrives to assess Great Barrier Reef
A delegation from the World Heritage Centre (WHC) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has arrived to assess the conservation of the world heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef.
CEFC to be based in Sydney
The Federal Government has announced the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will be based in Sydney, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard saying the city’s clean energy sector was crucial in making the decision.
Leak blows lid off anti-coal export boom push
Leaked documents have shown secret plans by a cabal of environmental groups to disrupt key coal export projects.
Government reports strong clean tech response
The Federal Government has reported that 1800 manufacturing businesses have registered to attend information sessions for the $1 billion Clean Technology Investment programs, with the first session completed in Sydney earlier this week.