ActewAGL
ActewAGL is the dominant energy and water supplier of Canberra ACT. It is a joint venture between Actew Corporation Limited and The Australian Gas Light Company (AGL).
Key Numbers
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Source: ActewAGL ActewAGL Annual Report, and Sustainability Report (June 2005)
Greenhouse Emissions- ActewAGL
Actew AGL is required to report annually on greenhouse emissions associated with its business operations:
| ActewAGL Greenhouse Record | |
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| Source Emissions | 26,302 tonnes |
| End-use Emissions | 146,676 tonnes |
Figures are in tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Source: ActewAGL ActewAGL Annual Report, and Sustainability Report (June 2005)
Source emissions arise from activities like the combustion of natural gas and gas losses from the natural gas distribution system)
End-use emissions are created when electricity is used which has been derived from fossil fuels.
Spring Range's Assessment
Greenhouse gas emissions are of concern to all in our society, and a particular problem for ActewAGL because the company derives profit from selling products which contribute to the problem. ActewAGL must ensure acceptance by society to stay in business and is diligent in publicising an image of "green" credentials and "community focus".
With regard to greenhouse emissions ActewAGL has performed neither markedly better nor worse than comparable energy utilities. Renewable energy targets were adopted when they became mandated by the Federal Government. It initiated investment in Wind Power Projects as a potent way to both advertise an environmentally friendly image and to comply with Government regulation (See: MRET - Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets)
With respect to "community focus", SRLG sees many flaws in the way ActewAGL has treated the Spring Range community.
- The company kept a low profile while signing contracts with individual landholders to erect wind turbines. The contracts remain confidential and beyond community access. The community was torn as a few of its members were seen as inflicting adverse effects on the rest. A public tender for land would have provided for an open process with community consultation from the beginning.
- Wind testing towers were approved without advice to neighbouring properties. And the community was left to "discover" the purpose of the structures
- The Spring Range community had no avenue apart from the media to provide input to the planning phase of the turbine complex. At the end of that phase they expected to be presented with a 'take it or leave it" proposition. With no prior consultation, they had little alternative but to register objection.
- ActewAGL employees were robbed of dignity and integrity because the advertising of the company was seen to be hollow.
- The spring range community was deeply disturbed because it saw the landscape it loves being defaced.
- Australia lost because serious deliberation on the best way to address greenhouse emissions was subsumed in conflict.
In short the process was designed to cause conflict.