Climate change and alternative energy chat - September 2010

Full transcript of chat with Minister for Community Development Nick McKim MP

Peter: Hi it is Peter here I think this chat is a great idea. But first up I'd like to ask this question to you KUTh energy has found geothermal power which could produce huge amounts of energy and lay in the top 17percent of surface heat flow values in Australia. Will you commit, Nick Mckim to help invest in a new geothermal power plant and connecting it up to the grid?

09 27 2010 16:33:51 pm

Peter: Hello just checking if Nick Mckim is here

09 27 2010 16:38:49 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: Hi Peter, I met with Kuth prior to the election. Geothermal has massive potential for baseload power in Australia, including in Tas. In this year's state budget we established a fund to assist the renewable sector with low interest loans.... we are working on the governance arrangements for this fund, but I can't see why Kuth could not apply.

09 27 2010 16:39:13 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: Yep, here for sure!

09 27 2010 16:39:24 pm

James: Geothermal energy may be clean but is it cost affective?

09 27 2010 16:40:10 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ James.... that depends on a range of variables.

09 27 2010 16:41:17 pm

Peter: I think it is great that you have done this in the state budget but did you contact KUTh energy

09 27 2010 17:41:26 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Peter, I have not met with Kuth since the election, but would be happy to do so. Once the fund is up and running we will proactively contact a range of stakeholders in the renewables sector.

09 27 2010 17:42:40 pm

Peter: Also I've got another question how much were the grants for the businesses

09 27 2010 17:43:39 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Peter, they will be low or zero interest loans, the size of which will be determined on a case by case basis.

09 27 2010 17:44:51 pm

Henry: Hi, Mr. McKim, Does the '

09 27 2010 17:46:27 pm

Peter: Because according to the Mercury and KUTh energy, they wanted 35 million dollars to start with for a commercial trial. As well as that they only needed a little bit more money to help them get it up and running

09 27 2010 17:46:39 pm

hails: Hi nick - with the metro review - is there any room to look at providing more environmentally friendly buses

09 27 2010 17:47:40 pm

Guest-682: Tas Youth Forum: Hi Nick! We think at YNOT that you are doing a great job! By the way, have you read our communique from the TYF Statewide Forum on Climate Change, which was held last year? The young Tasmanians present came up with some interesting ideas and solutions to CC including living more sustainably, hydro buses and electromagnetic walking plates

09 27 2010 17:47:57 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Peter....Kuth are one of many conmpanies in th erenewable sector that might be interested in accessing the fund. I'd prefer not to discuss anything that might be commercial-in-confidence for Kuth. discuss

09 27 2010 17:48:25 pm

Henry: sorry I hadn't finished yet. Does 'Granex', a recent invention that generates power from industrial waste heat, have potential in Tasmania

09 27 2010 17:48:32 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ 682...thanks for that! No, I haven't read YNOT's communique on Climate Change. Can you pls send it to me @ minister.mckim@dpac.tas.gov au I'd love to check it out.

09 27 2010 17:50:14 pm

Matthew: Hi Mr. McKim, On another matter in regards to solar panels. We have just been talking amonst us at the Primary school, how do you think the government can encourage a more domestic use of solar panels? Government subsidy is great but what other forms of encouragement can be used to get the public involved?

09 27 2010 17:50:30 pm

Tas Youth Forum: no worries

09 27 2010 17:50:36 pm

Tas Youth Forum: and i worked out how to not be 682! haha

09 27 2010 17:51:00 pm

James: It's great that you are talking to our generation, it would also be great if you were able to be available to be apart of (in particular host a session) the 2010 ASSI-Tas Kids4Kids conference on the 10th of October

09 27 2010 17:52:09 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ 682.....no wait! I did indeed receive the communique! I'll take another look now that you've reminded me!

09 27 2010 17:52:19 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Henry....haven't heard of 'Granex', but a lot of 'waste to energy' proposals have significant environmental impacts.

09 27 2010 17:53:28 pm

Peter: Hey nick, would you be able to keep in touch and tell me about if you are able to get KUTh to receive this much needed grant within 6 months by e-mailing me at peter.legg.00@tased.edu.au

09 27 2010 17:53:48 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ hails... Metro are looking at better (greener!) buses, but there are many other considerations such as access for people living with disabilities to keep in mind.

09 27 2010 17:55:06 pm

Peter: If you are able to can you do it in a few months or ASAP. Thanx Nick

09 27 2010 17:55:18 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Matthew...a gross feed in tariff would be a great enabler. We have also given out some Climate Connect grants to assist local groups with installation. Follow the link above to find out more!

09 27 2010 17:56:55 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ James, not sure about that.....if you email me using the link below I'll let you know.

09 27 2010 17:58:01 pm

James: Sure, would be happy to do that sometime tommorrow

09 27 2010 17:59:41 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ James...thanks...look forward to receiving it.

09 27 2010 18:00:10 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Peter.....if I am able I will let you know.

09 27 2010 18:00:43 pm

Peter: Thanks heaps nick, your great.

09 27 2010 18:01:05 pm

Tas Youth Forum: What forms of alternative energy do you believe are viable in Tasmania?

09 27 2010 18:02:03 pm

Matthew: Mr. McKim, sorry on another issue when you have the time to reply. What is the governments stance on Tasmania being a plastic bag free state? Has this push gone and is it no longer a concern in the government? In response to the solar pannels... I think a larger financial aid for households would help more installations but I understand we have only have limited funds.

09 27 2010 18:03:26 pm

Peter: I've got anouther question why is Tasmania the only state in Australia to still allow regular Electric hot water cylinders to be built into houses?

09 27 2010 18:03:27 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ TYF.....plenty, but I don't believe governments should pick winners. My view is that we need to create frameworks that encourage more investment in renewables generally.

09 27 2010 18:04:15 pm

Joe: Hi Nick!

09 27 2010 18:06:50 pm

Joe: What sort of renewable/sustainable energies do you use yourself?

09 27 2010 18:07:12 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Matthew....slightly off-topic, but the Greens tabled a motion calling for banning plastic bags in Tasmania. It's something we could do quite quickly and easily, and I hope the Minister for the Environment will get cracking on it soon!

09 27 2010 18:07:43 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Joe....mostly pedal power! Plus I drive a hybrid car. I also concentrate on energy efficiency, good for the environment and keeps my power bills down!

09 27 2010 18:09:13 pm

James: Back to the issue of climate change, in my opinion to tackle climate change the public need to be aware and understand it and also to give the public an incentive to be energy efficient

09 27 2010 18:09:54 pm

Henry: Is climate change fully in human control or is it inevitable, even if its effects can be reduced?

09 27 2010 18:11:08 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ James...I couldn't agree more!

09 27 2010 18:11:09 pm

Guest-908: I agree with james and strongly believe that education is important as you mentioned you do small things such as cycle, if we all did the small things we can make a large difference.

09 27 2010 18:11:26 pm

Guest-276: Incentives are good but when the incentive is taken away we find people reverting back to old ways... change is good but we have to want to do it...

09 27 2010 18:12:53 pm

Matthew: How can you encourage more people on bikes? the bike lanes in town are great but how would more improvement for bikes be possible over the bridge? ( I live on the Eastern shore and I know the bridge stops a lot of people on the Eastern Shore riding to work/school?

09 27 2010 18:13:13 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Henry....I reckon we must continue to do all we can to reduce emissions, but we also need to prepare for what I believe are the inevitable impacts of climate change. I have established an Adaptation Unit in the Climate Change Office to help Tasmania prepare for the impacts.

09 27 2010 18:14:00 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Matthew...agreed. We have allocated $4 million in this year's Budget for more bike infrastructure.

09 27 2010 18:15:15 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ 908 and 276...agree with both of you!

09 27 2010 18:15:55 pm

James: What exactly is the government doing about climate change education and incentives for the public

09 27 2010 18:16:24 pm

Peter: Hi you haven't answered this question for 14 minutes; why is Tasmania the only state in Australia to still allow regular Electric hot water cylinders to be built into houses? If you could answer that'd be great!

09 27 2010 18:17:40 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ James.... click on the climate connect link above this box. Plus we have run a public education campaign on TV.

09 27 2010 18:18:05 pm

James: What time are the adverts for public education climate change on tv

09 27 2010 18:20:57 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Peter...sorry . I'm chasing up an answer to that question.

09 27 2010 18:21:31 pm

Peter: Thanx

09 27 2010 18:21:54 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ James...they ran for quite some time a little while ago but have finished now.

09 27 2010 18:23:05 pm

Matthew: What are some ideas to minimise the number of cars in the city? What plans are in place at the moment?

09 27 2010 18:24:52 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Matthew....there are no limits atm, but the best way to reduce car numbers is to make public transport more convenient and affordable.

09 27 2010 18:26:13 pm

Matthew: Is it a possibility to have a ferry service from Bellerive to town? or am I just too old fashioned?

09 27 2010 18:27:24 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: @ Matthew...... there is already a water taxi I think. Ferries are not always old fashioned, depends on circumstances. It's certainly a possibility for the future.

09 27 2010 18:30:35 pm

Minister for Community Development Nick McKim: Thanks for the chat guys. I really enjoyed it. Have to go now, but log on next month for a chat about LGBTI issues. Cheers.

09 27 2010 18:32:52 pm

Peter: I'd just like to thankyou nick for the Tas Youth Live sorry if I have been a bit a pushy. Just remember to e-mail me at [email address withheld]

09 27 2010 18:33:22 pm

Matthew: Thank you very much.

09 27 2010 18:34:04 pm

James: Thanks, looking forward to next months chat, but what is lgbti issues?

09 27 2010 18:34:05 pm

Henry: thanks, bye

09 27 2010 18:34:09 pm

James: A small suggestion for next time, many of us are still in early high school and don't recgonize the acronyms, but thanks for the chat

09 27 2010 18:36:46 pm