NATURAL-GAS AND THE ENVIRONMENT - A VICTORIAN PERSPECTIVE

The pattern of energy use in the Australian State of Victoria which accounts for 29 % of Australia's total energy consumption is 43 % brown coal (96 % used for electricity generation), 33 % oil (86 % used for transportation) and 21 % natural gas (74 % for industrial/commercial/residential use) with a total annual per capita energy use of 254 GJ and CO2 contribution to the environment of 5.25t of carbon per capita. In the short to medium term, it would be expected that natural gas will supply an increasing share of the State's energy market from both economic and environmental viewpoints, while in the long term renewable energy systems may be the preferred option. Some environmental and economics related features of natural gas delivery system operation and end use application will be discussed in this paper. Aspects of the environmental "climate" in Victoria will be presented including government measures and lobby group activities. Finally, some thoughts on the relevance of the Victorian situation to the South East Asian Scene will be discussed.