Government rejects second pipeline plan

West Australian Energy Minister Fran Logan has attacked a major plank of the Liberal opposition's energy plan, labelling the plans ridiculous and ill-conceived. Liberal leader Troy Buswell unveiled the opposition's strategic energy plan for WA as the state deals with a 30 per cent cut to its gas supply arising from the June 3 Varanus Island explosion. The policy includes the development of natural gas reserves, interconnection or duplication of the pipeline network, diversification of gas supply and the use of LNG tankers to ship gas from the north. The Liberals also would work with the private sector to explore new "energy security options" for the state. "Each of these five options would require substantial investment and planning," Mr Buswell said. "All of them involve significant changes to the energy infrastructure of... [read full story]