He warned that Victoria’s agricultural land was crucial to the state’s future and to the food and fiber industry, warning that it would not be endangered.
“Why would you be putting fracking pits everywhere [Victoria]that’s beyond me, ”Andrews said.
Santos has faced resistance for his Narrabri gas project. Credit: Getty
Denis Napthine’s coalition government imposed a moratorium on all ground gas exploration and development in Victoria in 2012. In 2017, the Andrews government passed legislation permanently banning fracking and mining. coal vein gas.
At the time, the government also temporarily halted the exploration and development of land-based gas using conventional methods. But that ban was lifted in July last year after a three-year study, leaving only the ban on fracking and coal-fired gas extraction.
King has annoyed some of his state and federal Labor colleagues by pointing to the possibility of an even bigger energy crisis in the future if they do not pursue controversial projects such as the Narrabri de Santos gas proposal in northern NSW.
Energy giant AGL had also planned a new massive gas import terminal at Crib Point in the western port of Melbourne. This would have served to alleviate future supply concerns for Victoria, which is Australia’s largest per capita gas user.
A campaign to stop the development of a gas import terminal at Crab Point in Melbourne was successful. Credit: Justin McManus
But the terminal proposal was rejected last year on environmental grounds after the state government concluded that the dumped chemicals would have had “unacceptable effects” on the environment.
The state government insists Victoria produces more gas than it uses, with the excess being sent to other eastern states. Although experts have warned that existing wells in the state are being depleted, lifting the coal-fired gas ban would not help the current crisis, as it would take years to open new wells. .
Loading
Andrews said the solution was to diversify supply so that the state would not depend on any particular energy, especially the rapid absorption of renewable energy by the state.
“Ultimately, the only thing we can all do that makes a big difference is have more renewable energy in our grid; more supply of renewables means it’s great for action against climate change, ”he said.
Andrews also reiterated his strong support for a national gas reserve.
“Our gas for our businesses and our homes,” he said. “We reserve what we need for ourselves and then sell what we don’t need to the world. It’s just wrong; that doesn’t make sense to me [Australian] households and businesses are competing against the world. “
A King spokesman said the purpose of the meeting was to discuss “cooperation between the Commonwealth and the state on issues of resources relevant to Victoria.”
Credit: Matt Golding
A state government spokesman said Victoria currently produces more gas and electricity than it uses and that the state is the source of most of the gas used off the east coast of Australia.
“Victoria reopened its conventional gas industry in July 2021 and the development of offshore gas has continued in state and Commonwealth waters over the past decade.”
The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the most important and interesting stories, analysis, and insights of the day. Register here.