Australian Pipeline Industry Association chief executive officer Cheryl Cartwright (pictured) told delegates today that Australia has enough gas for 110 years at the FutureGas 2009 conference held in Brisbane.

“Gas is cleaner than coal for energy production, under the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme gas-fired electricity should also become cheaper, but it's not yet considered a clear option for the immediate and effective reduction of carbon emissions in the medium term,” said Ms Cartwright.

She said that natural gas is the logical fuel for Australia to reduce greenhouse gas emissions immediately. If government and climate change commentators can help in promoting its advantages, than home owners will be more likely to increase their use of natural gas.

“It has been a challenge to get the Federal Government to acknowledge the benefits of natural gas, and while at the last Ministerial Council on Energy communiqué on 6 February, energy ministers finally provided that acknowledgment - at the same time they supported assistance to the coal industry and renewable energies.”