Rachel Williamson

NSW planning minister shuts down legal challenge for three wind projects sent to IPC Neither opponents nor developers will be able to appeal the final decision on three wind projects after NSW planning minister puts foot down.

Bizarrely, NSW lets anyone from anywhere in the world object to energy projects.

From FNQ? Sure, weigh in. Live in the US and hate renewables? Why not.

The government is clearly annoyed (yet unwilling to change this situation 🤷‍♀️) and has shut down years-long legal challenges - for 3 projects. 🔌

Australian developer proposes gas turbines rather than renewables to power data centres A NSW developer is planning to put two gas generators next to 16 data centre buildings on a Moss Vale site in the picturesque Southern Highlands.

Data centres will most likely send power bills rocketing and stall the shift from coal to renewables.

Some are bringing in their own power - just not the right kind...

I reported on this one last year which is planning to DIY gas

Australians still keen to listen – and be heard – despite crisis of faith about energy transition New data shows more Australians are having a crisis of faith in the transition to renewables. But workers on the frontline of community engagement tell a different story.

NOT in the show or the story but reading between the lines:

If you are behaving badly towards someone hired to give you information about a renewable energy project, and think that person might be treating you like a 3yo ->

You are correct. When you act like a 3yo, you get treated like one. 🔌

Networks seek rule change to cut investment "red tape," critics see a new door to gold-plating A rule change request from Energy Networks Australia seeks to shift some projects out of the onerous public cost-benefit test.

Companies that own poles and wires in Australia are steadily chipping away at the rules holding them back from a) gold plating their networks and then b) charging the cost to households.

This latest one is a $550bn-ish risk that big biz will behave if no one is there to watch 🔌

Or really does make you wonder if that person has even set foot outside a city.

I hate to think what they'd make of a sheep shed in summer during shearing 😂

The 73 submissions on this battery project – one comment and 72 objections – are a microcosm of the levels of mis- and disinformation being seen throughout the renewable energy industry.

Only three individuals were brave enough to put their name to their submission.

That is basically what these people are doing, often using the phrases "we just don't know" and "not enough research has been done".

It's the ensuing fear and doubt that breaks communities apart.

I'm hoping that publishing submissions such as “WE DO NOT CONSENT TO THIS LIFE THREATENING, HIGHLY TOXIC, CCP RELIANT RUBBISH!” goes some way to doing that 😂

Also, you can't not have a giggle at that.

Almost certainly, some of them

Surprisingly no. I don't think AI can achieve quite the same and tenor of unhinged that these submissions contained

Fun is a spreadsheet

Big battery sent to independent regulator by far-flung, anonymous objectors A new big battery project has attracted 72 objections from mostly long-distance, anonymous parties whose submissions range from considered to unhinged.

This was fun. 72 objections, only one of which made any sense.

Almost all of the remainder were screams into the void about nuclear, battery sounds causing birth defects in animals, toxic smoke plumes, and how renewable energy is a WEF conspiracy.
#energysky #climatesky 🔌

The New Fabio Is Claude

"Eventually readers will not care."

That is grim.

Not only are these people lying to readers, they're now teaching pseudo-writers how to lie as well, with zero consequences and ruining books for everyone in the process.

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/b...

Yuck. I was asking bankers working with AI about this 3 years ago. No one was honest about the risk their banks were embedding into AI-based loan apps, insurance brokers or advice.

😂

Solar project seeks federal green tick for its koala protection efforts after winning CIS tender A 250 MW solar project, that is adding a battery and won a federal CIS tender, is seeking EPBC approval for its plans to protect koalas.

So this story originally came with an epic pun headline:
Solar project seeks federal 'koalafication'.
Get it? Qualification - koalafication...

Sigh, my editor didn't like it either 😥
#energy 🔌

Remote gold mine sources 88 pct of its power needs in last quarter from wind, solar and battery One of Australia's biggest gold mines is sourcing nearly 90 per cent of its power needs from wind and solar from its off-grid hybrid power system.

It's stories like this which make me think we're getting there.

Add that Sth Australia is running for long periods with engines off -- and not being plunged into darkness -- and WA is smashing renewables records.

It's evidence proving the transition from fossil fuels is finally, *finally* here. 🔌

"A price gouging rip off:" Cost of GreenPower certificates have plunged, but retailers still charge huge premium A collapse in the price of LGCs means consumer GreenPower prices should also plunge this year - but will they? And why haven't they already?

Should Australians be paying for certified green power at all, given half of capacity is now supplied by renewables?

At any rate, if you are buying green power, you are being *supremely* ripped off.

🔌 #cleanenergy

Apex predator returns to major river system, 100 years after extinction event An important apex predator died out 100 years ago due to overfishing and land clearing. Now, a close relative is bringing balance back to the habitat.

Good news for Christmas! I love a good fish return story, partly because it's so much rarer

Realistically, there are *so* many things that can make you sick on a farm (my dad thinks there is still strychnine buried somewhere on his place, c/o my grandfather). But if lead from solar farms was one, surely we'd know about it by now? #energysky

Some locals are upset by this story, pointing out how people are using incorrect information to oppose a mini wind project.

But what it's not about is the validity of fears for bigger turbines very close to homes. It's about blatantly false information being used to manipulate people #energysky

Deliberately-spread lies killed a community battery in Narrabri, NSW.

It was fully funded, the council was for it, the community backed it, but a whispering campaign by people hiding behind anonymous social media accounts ended it.

This is what misinformation is doing to communities. #energysky

Ya. A lot of people are being treated very badly for (bravely) not going along with a consensus.

“Anti programs can’t be happy. They demand unhappiness, and they demand anger."

This farmer describes what anti-renewable activists, who he likens to "suicide bombers", did to his life just for hosting wind turbines. #energysky

Even the IEA is now saying it:
The way to cheaper household electricity bills is to install low emissions tech and renewable energy, faster. #energysky

Who'd have thought.

Caution: this video shows middle aged men dancing and group humiliation used as a bonding tool.

Also, many, many lanyards.

Woodside corporate video disaster YouTube video by Dan Stan

The guys at Currently Speaking resurfaced this... gem?

I'm truly concerned for the people in this video. Did they consent? And if they *did* consent, should they be allowed to walk free in public? 🔌😱

Woodside, fwiw, is an oil and gas company.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_W7...

What do you do when you *hate* renewable energy but you own a heap of it?

I guess you could use it to do more coal exports. Sure. Why not? 🔌 #energysky

A mortgage broker in Australia's Halloween display is still up - apt because this is how long you'll be paying that thing down. #housing #debt

As inevitable as criminals posing as ICE agents. 🔌