Reuters: Australia’s emissions trading scheme starting in 2010 should make energy more affordable in the long-term, but short-term price hikes could see the government facing an A$1.8 billion (US$1.7 billion) a year compensation bill. The Climate Institute report on energy affordability and emissions trading released on Monday found energy price rises could easily be offset through the auction of carbon permits, estimated to exceed one percent of GDP or about A$10 billion. The report …