Catch up
Policy
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A Coalition government would axe the $3 billion fringe benefits tax exemption for EVs, if elected. National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association CEO Rohan Martin warned dumping the FBT exemption would also have a greater impact in some of the electorates the Coalition was hoping to flip on May 3. (ABC)
The Nationals remain worried about the rise of EVs and free-riders on the road network, particularly in Victoria.
“We've been really clear about the EV exemption for fringe benefit tax. We don't think it's fair people that live in places like Donnybrook and McEwen are subsidising those who can afford to purchase an electric vehicle. The other issue with the increase in electric vehicle drivers is they're not contributing to our road tax.” — Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie on ABC’s Insiders
Cutting the fuel excise would appear to limit the budget for fixing potholes on rural roads.
Meanwhile Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the Coalition’s “EV tax” was a threat to the cost of living.
And still no sign of a rival household batteries policy to match Labor’s discount.
The Dutch government approved a US$13 billion package of measures to accelerate the country's energy transition, while supporting industrial competitiveness. (S&P Global)
Capital
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Chevron and Saudi Aramco are among the world’s biggest companies that have caused US$28 trillion in climate damage, according to a study published in the scientific journal Nature that could inform future litigation. (Fortune)
“Everybody’s asking the same question: What can we actually claim about who has caused this? And that really comes down to a thermodynamic question of can we trace climate hazards and/or their damages back to particular emitters?” — Climate scientist and co-author Justin Mankin
 Projects
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ElectraNet began community engagement on its proposed Northern Transmission Project (NTx) with the first in a series of workshops in Port Augusta, Burra and Gawler. (Energy Magazine)
Identified as an “actionable project” in AEMO’s 2024 Integrated System Plan, the NTx project will increase power transfer capacity across South Australia’s transmission network, according to ElectraNet. NTx has also been identified as a national energy priority project by the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, which will fast-track environmental approvals.
Regulation
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Used EV batteries could power vehicles, houses or even towns – if their manufacturers share vital data. (The Conversation)
The AEMC’s Reliability Panel provided feedback on AEMO’s first Transition Plan for System Security (TPSS), which must be published annually under a new obligation.
The TPSS will provide information to market participants on how AEMO is planning to maintain system security through the transition to a low- or zero-emissions system, AEMO’s current technical understanding of what is needed to maintain power system security, and the work AEMO is undertaking to improve this understanding and specify the range of security services that will be required.
A group of lawyers from non-profit group Climate Integrity referred Australians for Natural Gas to the ACCC alleging the group made misleading claims and failed to disclose directors' interests. (The Guardian)
Research
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Clean hydrogen researchers at Tohoku University produced cathodes that could bridge the gap from laboratory to factory for commercial-scale proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysers. "We're getting close to an affordable method to produce fuel,” Heng Liu of the Advanced Institute for Materials Research said. (Advanced Energy Materials)
Technology
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Former US Treasury secretary Henry Paulson says clean energy will be critical for the US to win the AI race with China. (Financial Times)
China's installed capacity of wind and photovoltaic power reached 1.482 billion kilowatts by the end of March, exceeding that of thermal power for the first time in history, official data showed on Friday. (Xinhua) (Reuters)
Random
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The 1976 Flowers Commission would be delighted that wind, solar and other renewables have largely replaced nuclear power, and puzzled about a fresh push to expand it. (Guardian)
