Australia’s Climate Change Minister not strong on Climate Change action on coal power
Federal Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said the Gillard government was not focused on committing taxpayers’ money to the Brumby government’s goal of closing a quarter of the Hazelwood coal-fired power plant within four years….Mr Combet said Victoria’s climate policy was ”very strong” but the federal government had different priorities.
Federal funding unlikely for state’s Hazelwood coal-reduction proposal, The Age, Adam Morton and Tom Arup, October 13, 2010 THE federal government has cast doubt over Victoria’s request for hundreds of millions of dollars to start closing Australia’s ”dirtiest” power station, stressing its priority on climate change is introducing a carbon price.
Federal Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said the Gillard government was not focused on committing taxpayers’ money to the Brumby government’s goal of closing a quarter of the Hazelwood coal-fired power plant within four years.
It means the state government is likely to face the total cost if it manages to broker a deal for a phased closure with Hazelwood’s owner, International Power. Estimates suggest it will top half a billion dollars.
The commitment to shut 400 megawatts of coal power by 2014 is integral to the Brumby government’s legislated target of cutting the state’s emissions by at least 20 per cent this decade.
Mr Combet said Victoria’s climate policy was ”very strong” but the federal government had different priorities.
Doubt over federal support for the Hazelwood plan comes as senior federal Labor ministers continue to seethe over Premier John Brumby’s decision to release his climate change policy during the federal election campaign.
The timing – just three days after the announcement of Julia Gillard’s ill-fated citizens’ assembly proposal – increased pressure on federal Labor over its uncertain stance on climate….
Federal funding unlikely for state’s Hazelwood coal-reduction proposal
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