Knox Leader - Knox Council devotes half an hour to potential global oil crisis

COUNCILLORS spent nearly half an hour last week debating how Knox would cope when the world’s oil supplies run low.

Debate raged among councillors who attempted to chop and change the council motion, which included the possibility of adding a business case to the tune of $5000 in the next budget to discuss ways of coping with this international crisis.

The council document outlined Knox’s social, environmental and economic vulnerability on the issue, also known as peak oil (when the oil supplies run low).

International Business Times - Biofuels - The way of the future

The Biofuels Association of Australia today said it was delighted with the level of support given to the industry by Australia’s Federal Opposition.

“Australia has the opportunity to be at the forefront of biofuel production and use with the perfect climate for the generation of feedstocks that do not conflict with land used for food” said Heather Brodie, CEO of the BAA. “The study proposed by the Opposition will be absolutely crucial in advancing the needs of the industry and we welcome this strong commitment to biofuels.”

“Ninety eight percent of the energy currently used in the transportation industry still derives from fossil fuels, and transportation is responsible for more than a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuels are capable of significantly reducing the carbon emissions of Australian transport, as well as providing additional flexibility and supply to the Australian fuel market as worldwide peak oil supply is upon us” Ms Brodie said.

Otago Daily Times - Councillors defend projected $1b costs

That was the message at yesterday's Dunedin City Council infrastructure services committee meeting, as councillors considered the 3 Waters strategic direction statement.

The document outlined challenges facing the city's water infrastructure, from climate change to peak oil, and laid the groundwork for future decision-making on water infrastructure spending.

The Nelson Mail - Smith pushes for highway while hailing Victory award

Nelson MP Nick Smith is forging ahead with plans to build a highway through Victory despite it being named New Zealand's 2010 Community of the Year.

ABC - Coal miner rejects Indian takeover bid

A coal company exploring the Bowen Basin in central Queensland has rejected a takeover bid from an Indian-based steel company.

The Australian - Eden Energy soars on deal with Indian Oil

SHARES in Perth-based tiddler Eden Energy rocketed more than 250 per cent under heavy trade this morning after announcing a non-binding deal with Indian giant Indian Oil Corporation.
Under a term sheet signed in India this week, the Delhi-based company will farm-in to the development of a new pyrolysis technology jointly conceived by Eden and the University of Queensland.

Eden said the research will focus on the “commercial potential of a form of carbon believed to be the strongest structural material known to man”.