Gas Energy Australia kicks off fuel campaign

Australia should use more of its natural gas to improve its fuel affordability, reduce its carbon footprint and create new jobs, Gas Energy Australia’s CEO, Mike Carmody said on Monday, marking the start of a new campaign for cleaner, cheaper fuel.

Gas Energy Australia is seeking community and industry feedback on its two draft consultation papers on LNG and CNG. The papers explore the current use of natural gas in Australia, the barriers to its uptake, the potential for increased use and the associated benefits.

One of the papers, Cleaner, Cheaper Australian fuels – a 2030 vision for domestic Liquefied Natural Gas, outlines a number of ambitious long-term goals and a ten-point plan for achieving them.

The other, Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles – driving prosperity, energy security and environmental advantage for Australia, calls for a joint effort between industry and government to increase the use of CNG as a transport fuel.

Carmody said establishing a supportive policy environment will encourage Australia’s agricultural, mining and manufacturing industries to ditch dirty diesel and use cleaner, cheaper gas instead.

LNG is around 25 to 30 per cent less expensive than diesel, and trucks running on LNG and CNG produce up to 25 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions than diesel-powered trucks.

“We want to bring the community up to speed on the benefits of increased use of natural gas– more affordable, less polluting fuel, more jobs including employment in niche manufacturing, improved fuel security and a stronger economy,” said Carmody. “Natural gas is Australia’s natural advantage – we are the world’s third largest LNG producer and our reserves are estimated to be equal to 184 years supply at current production rates.”

Carmody also noted that shipping local gas overseas and increasing the country’s dependence on foreign fuel by importing more expensive, more polluting oil doesn’t make sense.

He said goals outlined in Gas Energy Australia’s draft consultation papers provide ways to help guard against Australia becoming totally dependent on imported oil. They include:

• At least 25 per cent of on-road heavy duty trucks powered by natural gas by 2030;
• At least 50 per cent of off-road heavy duty trucks and machinery purchased from 2030 onwards be powered by natural gas; and,
• Australian trains being run on natural gas along 50 per cent of routes by 2030.

“Natural gas is a viable competitor to diesel for road transport, yet most Australians don’t realise its potential,” Carmody said.

He concluded that the campaign aims to arm Australians with the facts on gas and allows them to petition for government action.

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Press Release; Image: Gas Energy Australia