Engineers Australia’s Voice in the Midwest Wednesday, 10 February 2016

While many of us were preparing to close out a frantic 2015, re-elected Engineers Australia Victoria Division Committee (VDC) member Grant Scott was in the United States to host a Natural Gas Strategic Roundtable of high-profile industry and political leaders from the Midwest.

Grant, the VDC's energy champion, was among 50 executive and regulatory thought leaders, including the most senior public authorities from Iowa, examining the risks and benefits of Natural Gas and what opportunities there were for the region.

This forum examined key issues such as:

  • The Public Authorities/Regulators risk planning and risk perspective
  • Political uncertainty and its effect on programs
  • Technology/Environmental Risks – real or perceived
  • Companies social licence to operate
  • Potential benefits, revitalising long-term economic growth, fuel and energy security, manufacturing and valued product growth and more.

During the Forum, experts delivered presentations on Natural Gas, its relations to the environment; its conversion to fuel and biogas/natural gas synergies.

As a result of these discussions, an Issues paper is being developed aimed at consolidating the key points raised and recommendations by this gathering of experts. The Forum raised a number of key points, and provided recommendations to the broader risks articulated during discussions. The draft Issues paper will then be lodged with the industry regulators, and once approved, will provide the State Government with a ‘Roadmap’ for consideration when they undertake the task of prioritising an agenda and programs for the State’s economic development.

Once complete, Grant hopes to obtain a copy of the 'Roadmap' to share with Engineers Australia members.

Among the key points raised were:

  • State and Local authorities having varied and conflicting agendas in relation to the Natural Gas industry.
  • A general lack of knowledge of the technical innovation and commercial issues associated with the industry.
  • The complex perception concerns associated with Natural Gas, and the political uncertainty this raises when determining a political agenda.
  • Enhancing projects through a shared learning and collaborative mindset, using commercial and technical approaches to limit risks.
  • Keeping the lines of communication open between industry and regulators, ensuring there is a thorough community engagement process to keep the public informed on the development and operation of Natural Gas. 

When Grant returns to Australia, he will share his insights with the broader Engineers Australia community so that we may learn from these high-level industry and political discussions on how best to minimise the impact of Natural Gas to the environment and protect the long-term use of a valuable resource.