Gas Based Economy
The Government of India seeks to increase the share of natural gas in India’s commercial energy basket from 6.3 percent in 2019 to 15 percent by 2030 to make India a ‘gas-based economy’. To reach the target of 15 percent, annual growth in consumption of natural gas has to increase from less than 5 percent in the last decade (less than 3 percent in 2019) to well over 10 percent in the next decade. India’s natural gas consumption in 2019-20 was about 175 mmscmd. To increase consumption to 600 mmscmd by 2030, the annual growth rate in consumption has to be more than 13 percent. This is not an impossible target. In the period 2008-2018, natural gas consumption in China grew by over 13 percent. Behind this double-digit growth rate for natural gas consumption in China was an annual average economic growth rate of over 8 percent, regulatory reform for transparency and flexibility along with focussed policy mandates.
The long-running legal battle between farmers and New Hope Group has reared its head again with a new order for a fresh Land Court hearing into the controversial coal mine set to go ahead.
3 February 2021
A Queensland community group has been successful in a High Court appeal over the proposed expansion of the New Acland Coal Mine, which is set to be reheard after the court ruled that earlier judgements favouring the coal company had been impacted by “apprehended bias”.
New Hope Coal has long been pushing to expand the company’s New Acland coal mine in Queensland, which would almost double the amount of thermal coal produced by the mine, that is predominantly used for electricity generation.
The expansion faced legal challenges launched by local community group Oakey Coal Action Alliance, representing more than 60 local residents and landholders, which opposes the mine on the basis that it would destroy otherwise productive agricultural land. The group had been represented by the Environmental Defenders Office in the legal action.
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The High Court ruling in favour of Queensland farmers opposing the proposed expansion of the New Acland Coal Mine is a âhammer blowâ to the community, LNP natural resources spokesman Pat Weir says.
Resource sector representatives are calling for clarification from the state government over what is needed for expansion of the Darling Downs mine to be approved but Acting Premier Steven Miles said no decisions would be made while the case was before the courts.
The New Acland coal mine washplant in Queenslandâs Darling Downs.
An activist group made up of dozens of farmers won a High Court appeal on Wednesday against New Hope, the operator of New Acland Coal Mine.
A review of national environment laws led by Graeme Samuel says characterising community appeals as “lawfare” misrepresents the importance of legal review in society and recommends an expansion of their rights.