Disagreeing with parts of the chief scientist's recommendations does not constitute heresy.

Some breathless reports on Finkel's recommendations for the National Electricity Market make them sound like they are the solutions to all Australia’s energy problems, when in fact they provide one set of solutions that paves the way for renewables and lifts the bar on coal-fired power.

This may be construed as a good thing in some quarters but Hogsback thinks that an energy blueprint for the future should be more accommodating of Australia’s abundant supply of low ash high calorific black coal on its eastern seaboard.   

If certain elements of the government’s back bench or a past prime minister have issues with the report over the Clean Energy Target in the Finkel report and the possibility of allowing coal-fired powered stations to continue to operate then they shouldn’t be vilified in the media or anywhere else.

A group of about 21 Members of Parliament in the government believe Finkel’s goal of 42% renewable energy is too high and that the Clean Energy Target would price coal out of the market.

A consensus should be reached by the government that includes all points of view, and that includes recognising the unique role coal has to play in Australia. 

Government indecision over emissions during the past decade over targets brought investment in coal fired power to a standstill. 

This is one of the reasons why the decommissioning of Engie’s Hazelwood brown coal power station of Victoria will leave such a big hole in the national energy market.

Hazelwood supplied 25% if Victoria’s energy needs and 5% of the nation’s. Its closure will cause energy bills to soar and the Australian Energy Market Operator has warned that eastern Australian states now face the prospect of blackouts this summer if peak demand exceeds supply during hot days of high air conditioner use. 

Over the next 20 years there will be another seven coal-fired power stations that will face retirement.

As most prudent savers know, it is a good idea to save up for your retirement early so when retirement comes you have enough money in the kitty.

While the Finkel report stipulates that three years’ notice must be given by coal-fired power plants before decommissioning takes place, this is not a real solution for the need to have low cost reliable energy.

Expensive gas has been recommended as the stand in for coal.   

Some dissenting MPs are recommending the government fund coal-fired power stations directly to make up the for the shortfall.  

Hogsback thinks that previous governments have not provided adequate policy clarity to allow investment in the next phase of coal-fired powered energy plants. Since governments created this mess maybe direct investment in coal fired power is not such a bad idea.