The Age - Scientists oppose SA desalination plans

Greens MP Mark Parnell, an environmental lawyer, said states such as Victoria, where the Federal Court recently rejected a community attempt to defer a $3.1 billion desalination plant at Wonthaggi, should take heed and not rush into high-energy desalination plants that were prematurely deemed to be solutions. "It would be a tragic irony if the reason we have less water is because of climate change, and the reason we have climate change is because, as a planet, we have burnt too many fossil fuels, and how are we going to fix it? We are going to burn more fossil fuels," Mr Parnell said.

With an environmental assessment of BHP Billiton's proposed $300 million desalination plant yet to be released, the SA Government last month gave major project status to the proposed 50-gigalitre desalination plant at Port Stanvac as part of its response to the Murray River water crisis.

Flinders University marine scientist Kirsten Benkendorff, who was a signatory to the protest letter, said there was insufficient knowledge about how either desalination plant would harm marine life, particularly creatures such as squid, which lay their eggs on the seabed where heavy brine would accumulate. She said it was outrageous for two large-scale desalination plants to proceed in SA with so little oceanographic information about the effect of accumulated brine on a gulf system with limited open ocean exchange.

"It is difficult to predict impacts because there is no comparable situation except in the Middle East, and many of those countries are relocating their desalination plants because of the impacts they had on their gulf systems," Dr Benkendorff said. "They have basically destroyed their fisheries."

The Age - City to get extra 15b litres of water

The Age - Coldest winter in 10 years: bureau

The Age - Brumby to steer transport scheme

A $20 billion transport action plan for Melbourne is being personally crafted by Premier John Brumby and will be unveiled later this year. The plan is likely to include new land reservations for future road and rail expansion; measures to increase the capacity of the existing system, including better links between different modes of transport; and listing of principal transport projects for which Victoria will seek federal funding.

Peak Energy - A public policy race to the bottom

One of the few Ministers to shine despite the fuel panic of the last few days has been Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen. He has been disciplined and has staunchly stuck to his guns in his portfolio. His defence of FuelWatch in the face of his opposite number Peter Dutton's puerile attacks has enhanced his standing. He showed some guts and leadership. The only other winner from the last couple of weeks is Malcolm Turnbull. Despite his continuous lack of discipline, he at least looks fit for a leadership role for arguing against a stupid policy position on fuel excise (even though he now tows the line).

The Australian - My rights are being undermined, says NSW grazier

WHEN NSW grazier Ken Mayberry read in the local newspaper in 2004 that his Mudgee farm, northwest of Sydney, sat on top of a new coalmining exploration lease, he assumed he would have a say in what would happen to it once mining began.

The Australian - Origin sends BG Group packing

The Australian - Amazing coal seam gas bubble may burst

HE sudden interest in Australia's coal seam gas sector from large coal and gas producers has created more than just a hint of a bubble in the sector. Turning coal seam gas into liquefied natural gas is a promising technology -- but nobody has actually produced large amounts from it so far and the projects now in focus will take several years to bear fruit. Companies with strong LNG expertise might have the patience and resources to see their investments through. ... There are also doubts as to how profitable the capital-intensive coal seam gas extraction process can really be, and the time that it will take for projects to come good -- Santos's development will only allow LNG production by 2014 at the earliest.

The Australian - Opportunities in crisis as oil stocks dwindle

Peak Energy - Elon Musk: Most Of World's Power from Solar By 2040

Peak Energy - Smart Meters In Texas

Landis+Gyr Holdings Pty Ltd., an international utility-meter company, is expected to announce Tuesday a $360 million deal to furnish Dallas utility Oncor Electric Delivery Co. with "smart" meters for three million homes and small businesses. The meters are part of an important trend to help consumers control electricity use and to help utilities cut operating costs and improve electric-system reliability. Texas has seen some of the sharpest electricity price increases in the U.S., and the meters have the potential to curb costs by giving retail suppliers new pricing options.

Peak Energy - Are We Smart Enough To Break the Efficiency Gridlock ?

Scoop - Overwhelming support for wind energy

“New Zealand has a huge and clearly identified potential for wind energy – and it is clear that most New Zealanders would like to see this resource harnessed for electricity generation,” said Chair of the New Zealand Wind Energy Association Gerry Te Kapa Coates today, welcoming new research from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. EECA’s research shows that New Zealanders overwhelming favour renewable energy for electricity generation, with 88% of people expressing support for wind energy - the most favoured form of sustainable power.

Stuff.co.nz - Fonterra targeted in Green 'food revolution'

The Green Party today has called on Fonterra to drop the price of milk with co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons saying it would be a good thing for the New Zealand company to do to help kiwis struggling with high food prices.

Stuff.co.nz - Billions in profit fail to prevent crisis

It is a fair bet the average Kiwi family will be spending somewhere between $200 and $400 more on power in the coming year as a result of the present shortage. Despite Contact Energy pulling a white rabbit out of the hat this week, by restarting part of the formerly dead New Plymouth power station, the country faces a one-in-five chance of power cuts if there is not much rain in coming weeks.

Daily Reckoning - Coal Delays at Dalrymple Lead to a Longer Boom

Daily Reckoning - Saudi Arabia Pours Oil Investment into Australia

Peak Energy - Smells Like Guano To Me

Tom Philpott at Grist notes that of the 3 major inputs for industrial agriculture, 2 are controlled by cartels and one is produced using natural gas. Get used to high prices - Industrial ag-onistes (subtitled "The WSJ on fertilizer markets so manipulated, they might make a Saudi prince blush").