14 May 2021
Much of the system planning in place by the market operator AEMO, the rule maker AEMC and the Energy Security Board (ESB) are examples of the “muddle through” approach to policy development.
Despite its quirky name ,“muddle through” was actually first introduced into the academic literature by Charles Lindblom in a 1959 Public Administration Review Article, and it has remained as a viable “theory” for the last 70 years.
What this means in practice in the Australian electricity industry is that policies are developed to deal with problems either after the problem has occurred or just before. The focus is nearly always on solving the immediate problem. The end goal is assumed to be unknown or not relevant to solving the problem.
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Gas appliances including heaters, hot water services and cooktops would be phased out under a proposed moratorium on new gas connections to Victorian households to help the state achieve its 2030 target to cut carbon emissions by up to 50 per cent.
The City of Yarra is the first council to pledge to switch its buildings, including pools and community centres, from gas to renewable electricity by 2030 and wants the state government to back a ban on gas connections in new homes.
Victoria is the highest user of gas in the country.
Credit:John Woudstra
Victorians are the nation’s biggest users of natural gas for heating, hot water and cooking due to the state’s historically cheap and plentiful supply piped in from Bass Strait since the 1970s.
Country held to ransom by Coalitionâs blockers
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February 11, 2021 â 10.00pm
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CLIMATE TARIFFS
Country held to ransom by Coalitionâs blockers
How long did Morrison think the world would wait for Australia to take climate change seriously (âClash on green tariff bidâ, 11/2). The UK parliament declared a climate emergency almost two years ago in May 2019. Australia will lose every which way if we donât get on board with the transition. It is well past time for Morrison to show some leadership and bring the blockers in his party and the Nationals into the 21st century. They are holding this country to ransom, wasting valuable time, trying to stave off the inevitable.