The Australian - Oil prices rise as petrol stocks fall

OIL prices rose today after a larger-than-expected decline in US petrol stocks but gains were likely to be limited, analysts said.

Or, if you don't like that reason, just find a different analyst:

SMH - Oil jumps $US5 on US-Russian tensions

Oil prices have shot up more than $US5 a barrel, rising to the highest level in over two weeks as escalating tensions with Russia stoked fears of supply disruptions to the West.

The Age - Iemma keen to push through power sale Because it went so well everywhere else.

Premier Morris Iemma may recall parliament to accelerate the privatisation of NSW's electricity sector after the state auditor-general gave him the green light.

In handing down his 22-page review, Auditor-General Peter Achterstraat said he could find "no major issue" with the state government's $25 billion proposal.

However, he stressed he was not asked to form a view as to whether the sell-off should occur, saying that was a matter for parliament.

Stuff.co.nz - Nelson's sunny days expected to lift energy levels

Nelson could become New Zealand's first "solar city", after the city council agreed to spend half the $40,000 needed for a study into how to encourage wider use of solar energy systems.

Scoop.co.nz - Mallard: Resource Recovery and Carbon Emissions

Environment Minister Trevor Mallard’s speech at the Zero Waste and Zero Carbon Conference, Hotel Ashburton, Racecourse Road, Ashburton

NZ Herald - PM warns on 'dirty' dangers

Overseas countries might exploit environmental concerns as new ways of creating trade barriers with exporters such as New Zealand, says Helen Clark.

The Prime Minister, in a public dialogue with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, yesterday told an Australasian climate change and business conference in Auckland that New Zealand could not risk being seen as a "dirty producer".

Scoop.co.nz - Response to National Climate Change policy

Family Party response to National Climate Change policy

[.....]

Then if human-induced climate change turns out to be incorrect, which a number of scientists are suggesting, this money would have been completely wasted.

It is good that National recognise the need to engage major emitters like China if global emissions are to be reduced, and that they are wishing to "defend our economy". If climate change does turn out to be correct, and we have to deal with the effects of it in coming years, we would need a strong economy to cope. But their idea of defending seems to be not damaging it quite as much as Labour would. This is not how we define defending.

The Age - Trams best for Gold Coast: report

Trams could provide a solution to transport problems on the booming Gold Coast.

Queensland Transport Minister John Mickel said a new study had found a light rail system was the best option for the tourism strip because it was more reliable, more environmentally-friendly and had a longer life span than buses.

Also reported in The Australian:
Rapid transit plan unveiled

The Brisbane Times took a different tack:
Trams 'would worsen traffic woes'

The Ararat Advertizer - Council study on bio-energy

If a bio-energy plant were to be adopted, garbage from Ararat and Stawell and green waste from the transfer station would be combined with Blue Mallee or Blue Gum transformed into energy.

The drought resistant small tree is harvested using a forage harvester, which cuts it off at ground level.

Material removed from the tree is then transferred to the bio-energy plant, where the oil is extracted from the material.

The leftovers are burnt and put through the gasifier, which acts like a boiler, turning the waste into gas to run a turbine which produces energy.

The Age - New plant may power 2 million houses

A GAS-fired power station is planned for Victoria's south-west, big enough to generate power for more than 2 million homes.

Oil and gas company Santos will construct a 500 megawatt power station near Orford, 20 kilometres north of Port Fairy. Santos chief executive David Knox said a final investment decision was expected by the end of next year and would enable power generation by 2012. The $800 million project will create 730 jobs during the construction phase. It could be expanded to a 1500 megawatt power station, which would generate enough power for 2 million households.

Herald Sun - Nuclear lobby can't see the light

In a submission this week, AiG calls a National Renewable Energy Target Scheme (RET) "ill-advised" and recommends existing renewable energy initiatives be wound back.

ABC - Transport forum urges rail priority

A transport forum in Wollongong has called on the federal and state governments to urgently start funding rail infrastructure over road upgrades.

National Business Review (NZ) - Govt called on to approve 200 tidal turbines

Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick is being urged to allow seabed turbines to be constructed in the Kaipara Harbour to generate enough electricity to power up to 250,000 homes.