Former SECV Commissioner, David Scott, (29/12) responded to my article (22/12) which argued that greenhouse controls would be the death knell of our efficient brown coal electricity industry in the Latrobe Valley. Mr Scott suggests I am unaware of, or wilfully ignored, the SECV's plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
On the contrary, I am only too well aware of those plans. One of the proposals to cut carbon dioxide emissions under the Cain/ Kirner Government included reducing emissions by decreasing output. Part of this entailed ceasing to export electricity to South Australia.
As South Australia buys one-third of its electricity from Victoria, such a proposal was as uncharitable as it was unbusinesslike. The strategy entailed closing down the Hazelwood power station, which the present Government has sold for $2.3 billion. Other plans involved installing wind generation with energy costs five times that of brown coal stations.
Mr Scott actually suggests it would be better for Victorian taxpayers not to have the revenues from the Hazelwood sale. We could, of course, buy it back; we could also commence the windfarm construction program that he favours. I doubt that any responsible political party would subscribe to such notions today.
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