The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, told this morning's first meeting of the National Low Emissions Coal Council it has extremely important work to do and that the development of Carbon Capture and Storage is one of the Government's highest priorities.
Minister Ferguson said: "Accelerating the development, deployment and commercialisation of low emission coal technologies in Australia is an enormous challenge.
"This Council will play a vital role in guiding the take up of technologies needed for Australia to meet its greenhouse gas emissions targets, without compromising our economic prosperity.
"Within its first year, I would like to see the Council establish the National Low Emissions Coal Research Centre and prepare a preliminary report to me on the development and implementation of the National Low Emissions Coal Technology Strategy.
"The importance of this work cannot be over-stated. Coal is Australia's largest export and it is the primary fuel for around 80 per cent of our current power supply.
"In Australia - and internationally - there are many coal-fired power stations expected to operate for another 40 years, so it is clear that no serious response to climate change can ignore the need to reduce the emissions from coal."
The National Low Emissions Coal Council is backed by the Australian Government's $500 million commitment and more than $1 billion from industry and the states.
It brings together key stakeholders from government, industry, and the coal research community to provide guidance on the implementation of the National Low Emissions Coal Initiative.
The former Chief Executive of both the Minerals Council of Australia and the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association, Mr Dick Wells, was in July appointed to Chair the Council. The Council's other members are:
- Mr Dan Hunt - Director General, Qld Department of Mines and Energy
- Mr Alan Coutts - Deputy Director General, NSW Department of Primary Industries
- Mr Dale Seymour - Deputy Secretary Energy, Resources and Major Projects Victorian Department of Primary Industries
- Mr Dominique Van Gent - Manager Regional Programs, WA Department of Industry and Resources
- Mr Peter Freyberg - Chief Executive, Xstrata Coal and Chairman, Xstrata
- Ian Nethercote - Chief Executive, Loy Yang Power
- Dr Beverley Ronalds - Group Executive, Energy Chief, Petroleum Resources
- Professor Barney Glover - Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), University of Newcastle
- Mr Ralph Hillman - Executive Director, Australian Coal Association
- Mr John Hartwell - Head, Resources Division, Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
- Mr Hubie van Dalsen - Managing Director, Rio Tinto Coal Australia
- Mr Ross Willims - Chair, Australian Coal Association Low Emissions Technologies Ltd
- Mr David Brown - Chief Executive, CS Energy.