Mark Richards is the Secretary for the MEU (Mining and Energy Union of Victoria) and is based in the Latrobe Valley. The Latrobe valley is the coal generation core of Victoria. This became a long interview and is split into two parts.

Mark's Social Media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/powergeneration/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/markrichards_lv Mark has a webpage at www.markrichards.com.au

The following clarifications are relevant to the interview:

@11:25 This article relates to the HESC project mentioned; 'Japan commits AUD$2.35 billion to establish world’s first liquefied hydrogen supply chain' - https://www.hydrogenenergysupplychain.com/japan-commits-aud2-35-billion-to-establish-liquefied-hydrogen-supply-chain/

@16:10 This article relates to the plastics recyling company in South Austrlia that failed; 'SA plastics recycling business closes due to $100k hike in power bills' - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-27/sa-recycling-business-power-bills-rise-causing-closure/8654638

@27:57 This Wikipedia entry details the 2000-2001 California Electricity Crisis - California's deregulation and subsequent energy crisis - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000%E2%80%9301_California_electricity_crisis

@29:45 and at @46:12 – The report mentioned is actually available here: 'Determination for the amendments to the national electricity code - https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/public-registers/documents/D03%2B38144.pdf - 5.2 What the applicant says; 'The events of 23 January 2000 and the first few weeks of February 2000, where demand of electricity exceeded supply in Victoria and South Australia, led NECA to investigate the market’s performance during these periods.

@36:40 The Waste to Energy for Australia Paper project has since stalled. There are up to 1000 job losses of timber and paper manufacturing jobs expected to be lost from the one and only Australian paper manufacturing facility. This article provodes more detail - 'Native timber harvesting to cease in Victoria at the end of the year' - https://www.gippslandtimes.com.au/news/2023/05/26/native-timber-harvesting-to-cease-in-victoria-at-the-end-of-the-year/

@40:30 This has eventuated. Chris Bowen did his Market Intervention with Gas Prices.