A WA parliamentary question addresses the finite nature of oil and gas, climate change impacts, and the development of a strategic energy policy. The Minister acknowledges the issues and highlights existing initiatives, but doesn't commit to a new policy.

AnsweredQoN 226Legislative Council
Asked
26 September 2002
Portfolio
Energy

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Does the Minister for Energy agree that - (a) Western Australian oil and gas supplies are finite; and (b) the unfettered use of energy will cause detrimental climate change in Western Australia? (2) Does the Minister for Energy intended to develop a strategic energy use policy in Western Australia? (3) Does the Minister for Energy have access to accurate summations of Western Australia’s economically exploitable oil and gas reserves and the current and projected usage rates? Hon TOM STEPHENS

AnswerView source ↗

The Minister for Energy has provided the following response - (1) (a) Yes. (b) Current evidence suggests that unfettered use of carbon-based energy in the United States, China, India, Europe and the rest of the world will have a detrimental effect on the world climate. Energy consumption in Western Australia has a minor impact on the world environment.  However, the Government is developing a greenhouse gas strategy to address this. (2) There is no immediate plan to develop a policy with that title, although a number of government policies and initiatives such as the Energy Smart program seek to address energy use issues. (3) Yes.
(a) Western Australian oil and gas supplies are finite; and (b) the unfettered use of energy will cause detrimental climate change in Western Australia? (2) Does the Minister for Energy intended to develop a strategic energy use policy in Western Australia? (3) Does the Minister for Energy have access to accurate summations of Western Australia’s economically exploitable oil and gas reserves and the current and projected usage rates? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for Energy has provided the following response - (1) (a) Yes. (b) Current evidence suggests that unfettered use of carbon-based energy in the United States, China, India, Europe and the rest of the world will have a detrimental effect on the world climate. Energy consumption in Western Australia has a minor impact on the world environment.  However, the Government is developing a greenhouse gas strategy to address this. (2) There is no immediate plan to develop a policy with that title, although a number of government policies and initiatives such as the Energy Smart program seek to address energy use issues. (3) Yes.
(3) Does the Minister for Energy have access to accurate summations of Western Australia’s economically exploitable oil and gas reserves and the current and projected usage rates? Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for Energy has provided the following response - (1) (a) Yes. (b) Current evidence suggests that unfettered use of carbon-based energy in the United States, China, India, Europe and the rest of the world will have a detrimental effect on the world climate. Energy consumption in Western Australia has a minor impact on the world environment.  However, the Government is developing a greenhouse gas strategy to address this. (2) There is no immediate plan to develop a policy with that title, although a number of government policies and initiatives such as the Energy Smart program seek to address energy use issues. (3) Yes.
Hon TOM STEPHENS replied: The Minister for Energy has provided the following response - (1) (a) Yes. (b) Current evidence suggests that unfettered use of carbon-based energy in the United States, China, India, Europe and the rest of the world will have a detrimental effect on the world climate. Energy consumption in Western Australia has a minor impact on the world environment.  However, the Government is developing a greenhouse gas strategy to address this. (2) There is no immediate plan to develop a policy with that title, although a number of government policies and initiatives such as the Energy Smart program seek to address energy use issues. (3) Yes.
The Minister for Energy has provided the following response - (1) (a) Yes. (b) Current evidence suggests that unfettered use of carbon-based energy in the United States, China, India, Europe and the rest of the world will have a detrimental effect on the world climate. Energy consumption in Western Australia has a minor impact on the world environment.  However, the Government is developing a greenhouse gas strategy to address this. (2) There is no immediate plan to develop a policy with that title, although a number of government policies and initiatives such as the Energy Smart program seek to address energy use issues. (3) Yes.
(1) (a) Yes. (b) Current evidence suggests that unfettered use of carbon-based energy in the United States, China, India, Europe and the rest of the world will have a detrimental effect on the world climate. Energy consumption in Western Australia has a minor impact on the world environment.  However, the Government is developing a greenhouse gas strategy to address this. (2) There is no immediate plan to develop a policy with that title, although a number of government policies and initiatives such as the Energy Smart program seek to address energy use issues. (3) Yes.
(3) Yes.

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