SMH - $1b plan for tunnel and new Spit Bridge. While expanding Sydney's freeways isn't one of my priorities this would shorten my drive to the beach by about 10 minutes (and thus further reduce my already small petrol consumption) so I'm finding it hard to object to this plan...

A $1 BILLION-plus tunnel linking the Warringah Freeway to a new, elevated Spit Bridge is being discussed by Macquarie Bank and State Government officials in an attempt to solve the perennial problem of traffic congestion on the North Shore.

SMH - Turnbull plan stirs dust-up

A COALITION senator has questioned the need for a key element of Malcolm Turnbull's green carbon initiative, which he unveiled at the weekend as a way to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The NSW Nationals senator John Williams, whom the Opposition Leader consulted over the policy, said biosequestration, in which carbon from crop residue is returned to the soil in the form of charcoal, would amount to unnecessary double handling for farmers.

SMH - Eco homes to give dirty industries a free ride

A QUIRK in the Federal Government's proposed carbon-trading scheme means household efforts to cut carbon footprints could simply translate into more money in the pockets of heavy polluters, many economists and environment groups believe. If people use less coal-fired electricity at home, power companies will need to buy fewer carbon permits when the scheme starts in 2010. This will reduce the permit price, allowing other polluters to buy more permits to cover their own emissions. One in 10 Australian households pays extra on the electricity bill to support green power, and tens of thousands have installed solar panels. But there is a growing realisation that voluntary efforts to reduce greenhouse gases may not have the intended effect.

The Australian - Energy deals ran out of gas last year

UNCERTAINTY over the federal Government's planned emissions trading scheme and the global economic crisis nearly brought Australian power deals to a halt last year, according to a report to be released today.

The Australian - Rio Tinto bid to develop India mines rejected: report

COAL INDIA has rejected Rio Tinto's proposal to develop abandoned and underground mines because of its "lack of expertise".

The Australian - Oil Search finds $1.2bn in operating revenue

OIL Search today reported a 13 per cent rise in operating revenue for 2008. The company also said its liquefied natural gas export plans were running to schedule.

The Age - AGL 'has met' Sydney Gas bid conditions

Power retailer AGL Energy Ltd has declared its takeover bid for Sydney Gas Ltd free from defeating conditions after its two major shareholders accepted the offer.

Gladstone Observer - Future looking bright for LNG

SANTOS, a partner with Malaysia's state owned Petronas in the Gladstone based GLNG project, said in a report yesterday that it had delivered strong reserves growth for 2008 which positioned the company for future production growth.

ABC - Solar demand causes delay for ACT households

The ACT Government will announce within weeks the price households will be paid for the solar electricity they generate under the feed-in tariff scheme. Under the scheme, households with solar panels are expected to receive almost four times the normal price of electricity for the power they generate and feed back into the grid. However a surge in demand for solar panels has caused lengthy delays for customers.

ABC - Demand for 'green collar' workers rising

The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) says there is a growing demand for climate change professionals in the workforce.

Larvatus Prodeo - Millennia of drought

More cheery news from climate scientists!

A new study published in Proceedings of the (US) National Academy of Sciences conducts a little thought experiment. What happens if anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gas emissions stop tomorrow? You’d hope that it might be a bit warm for a few decades, and gradually settle down. No such luck, according to this NOAA press release...

ABC - Top scientists warn of catastrophic rise in sea levels

Several of Australia's most pre-eminent climate change scientists have given evidence to a federal parliamentary committee in Hobart. The committee is investigating the impacts of climate change on Australia's coastal communities. Scientists from the CSIRO and the Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems Cooperative Research Centre gave evidence on Wednesday afternoon. They have reiterated the need for drastic action to stop a catastrophic rise in sea levels.

Crikey - Who supports compulsory Internet filtering, exactly?

The Oz "understands" that one cause of delay is that ISPs taking part want more money. My understanding is that their understanding is understandable. Of the $44.2 million for the filter project, $300,000 is for field tests. A mere 0.7% -- under $20,000 per participating ISP -- seems remarkably little for trialling a major cross-organisational IT project -- especially given the need to properly evaluate this controversial technology.

Anyway, while the government's sorting out the trials, let's reflect on where the support comes from.

Senator Conroy tries to portray the filter-fighters as "extreme libertarians". But with GetUp!'s "Save The Net" campaign having already gathered 95,000 signatures and $50,000, it's starting to look pretty mainstream. That, plus a new survey by middle-rank ISP Netspace, starts to paint the supporters of compulsory filtering as the minority.

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