Capital
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Battery minerals producer Liontown Resources’ (ASX: LTR) closed a $20 million share placement early after strong demand overshot the target, adding to $316 million raised from institutional investors (including $50 million from the National Reconstruction Fund) to support the ramp up of the Kathleen Valley lithium development in WA.
The Malinauskas government rejected calls for a detailed vulnerability assessment with start-up Australian Rare Earths (ASX: AR3) facing opposition from farmers to its plans to chase minerals in South-East SA and parts of western Victoria in a bid to join the supply chain for EVs, wind turbines and other energy or defence technologies. (The Australian)
 Projects
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The Federal Court dismissed a challenge by advocacy organisation Doctors for the Environment Australia (DEA) to regulatory approval of Woodside Energy’s (ASX: WDS) Scarborough project. The gas field and floating processing hub will produce up to eight million tonnes of LNG a year, with first cargo on track for 2026, and contribute up to 225 terajoules per day of domestic gas supply into the WA market. (The West)
“Scarborough is expected to be one of the lowest carbon intensity sources of LNG delivered into north Asian markets, providing reliable energy to the region while also supporting local energy security through critical domestic gas supply.”
Meg O’Neill
Woodside CEO
The DEA said it was clear Australia’s offshore gas regulations were not living up to the broader public interest.
"The scientific consensus and the advice of the United Nations is that new fossil fuel projects are incompatible with a safe climate and human health. Sadly, governments around Australia continue to approve coal and gas projects against such advice. In these circumstances, the least our governments can do is to ensure such projects are subjected to thorough scrutiny to ensure proposals address climate impacts in a meaningful way.”
Dr Kate Wylie
DEA Executive Director
Meanwhile, Friends of Australian Rock Art (FARA) launched a legal challenge to the Western Australian government's approval of the North West Shelf extension, operated by Woodside. It will be argued the state assessment failed to consider the project’s impact on climate change (including Scope 3 emissions) in the Murujuga rock art landscape. (AAP) (ABC)
Denmark’s Orsted is considering legal action against the Trump administration after the company was ordered to stop work on an 80% complete offshore wind project, in a move that threatens to exacerbate the sector’s woes. The Internal Revenue Service recently put out new guidance that makes it harder for companies building wind and solar projects to qualify for federal tax incentives. The Commerce Department is investigating whether imports of wind turbines and their components threaten national security. (NPR) (Reuters)
Policy
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State governments will put together an options paper on taxing electric vehicles to be considered at the next meeting of federal, state and territory treasurers on September 5.
“The main point of contention at the reform roundtable was actually whether a road user charging regime focused on electric vehicles begins with heavy electric vehicles like electric trucks and there is some kind of sequence after that, or whether we be more ambitious earlier … We have made it clear that we do think a change is required here and we will take the time to get it right.”
Treasurer Jim Chalmers told ABC’s Insiders
In response, the Australian EV Association proposed the gradual introduction of a universal, mass x distance road user charge set at a very low rate for all vehicle types.
A group of more than 50 environment and industry groups called for Energy Minister Chris Bowen to fund Local Energy Hubs. The hubs are a network of outreach centres staffed by locals to assist communities navigating renewable energy and transmission projects.
“We keep hearing the same thing: we need clear, trusted information and practical support and we can get that through the Local Energy Hubs model. Without it, the rollout of renewable energy will keep running into delays, cost blowouts and opposition. Everyone has a stake in getting this right.”
Andrew Bray
RE-Alliance National Director
The UK’s new Fair Work Charter will require offshore wind developers to pay into a skills fund or spend a minimum amount on skills training in their local communities to support oil and gas workers, apprentices or school leavers move into the growing offshore wind industry. Skills training can be provided through education schemes, training facilities, new equipment or work experience and internships. The measures will be introduced through the Clean Industry Bonus, which provides offshore wind developers with funding on the condition that they build new factories in poorer regions or invest in sovereign supply chains.
“This initiative offers a chance to boost skills across the energy sector, create and protect well-paid jobs, and support the renewal of coastal communities and industrial regions. Working together under a Fair Work Charter – unions, government and business – can deliver growth and stronger protection for workers.”
Christina McAnea
General Secretary, UNISON
Regulation
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An attempt by New Zealand’s Electricity Authority to lower electricity prices could end up doing the opposite. The proposed rule could induce gentailers to raise the price charged to their retail arms – thereby pushing up retail supply costs for everyone. (The Conversation)
Technology
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Google released a technical paper detailing the methodology for measuring the energy, emissions, and water impact of using AI systems. A median Gemini Apps text prompt was estimated as using 0.24 watt-hours of energy - substantially lower than many public estimates - a per-prompt energy impact equivalent to watching TV for less than nine seconds. (Semafor)
Climate
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The World Health Organisation (WHO) released a report providing evidence and guidance on the climate-triggered productivity and health challenge of workplace heat stress.
People
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Former Shell spinner and ex-Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) corporate affairs boss Paul Zennaro signed up with Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC to oil its takeover bid for Santos (ASX: STO). (AFR)
Ex-Labor adviser Eamonn Fitzpatrick is representing Beach Energy’s (ASX: BPT) interest as it seeks a slice of Santos.
Research
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The New York-headquartered think tank Council on Foreign Relations published an expert brief by David M. Hart, a senior fellow for climate and energy, on what the world will lose if cuts go through. For decades, the United States was the world’s largest investor in energy research, development and demonstration (RD&D). China overtook the United States to take the top spot in 2021. The US has nonetheless remained the most important supporter of basic research and energy efficiency technology development, he writes.
Random
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The wind farms of Palm Springs have become a popular tourist attraction and backdrop for wedding photo shoots, despite initially being labelled “Mercedes symbols’ cluttering up our desert landscape”. (The Washington Post)
