Australians could be sitting on enough coal seam gas to meet the nation's energy needs for the next 120 years, create more than 20,000 jobs and attracting $40 billion of investment.
But accessing the resource might cause earthquakes, contaminate ground water and see industrial wells sprouting up in people's backyards.
Speaking at an Australian Science Media Centre conference on Friday, Dr Peter Stone said the coal seam gas (CSG) industry was riven with uncertainty.
According to Dr Stone, director of the Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance, Australia's proven and probable reserves of CSG would be capable of boiling 150 Sydney Harbours.
But if you add to that the 'possible' reserves lurking under the surface - you are looking at enough gas to meet Australia's current energy needs for about 120 years, he said.
As the world moves to a green economy, we could be looking at a hefty pay packet.
Sky News
No comments:
Post a Comment