Antinuclear

Ausltralia’s opposition party still a risk to the country’s renewable energy future

Breaking: Canberra endorses status quo on renewables target REneweconomy By Giles Parkinson on 21 March 2013The “…….Australian Greens, who argue Australia should have no less than 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030, have welcomed the government’s RET endorsement, but warn there is still  a “big black cloud of uncertainty hanging over the industry,” which they name as Tony Abbott and Greg Hunt.

“(Abbott and Hunt) must come out and rule out reducing the 41,000 gigawatt hour target for large-scale renewables or accept responsibility for killing off major projects,” Greens leader Christine Milne said today.

“Ducking and weaving and refusing to answer the question by constantly saying that the Coailtion supports the 20 per cent renewable energy target is dishonest. Is it 41,000 gigawatt or not? …They need to be upfront and admit that what they want to do… is cave in to the vested interests in coal and gas and in so doing destroy renewable energy.”

Don Henry, CEO of the Australian Conservation Foundation has also called for bipartisan support for the CCA’s RET recommendations.

“All political parties should get behind this. We can and should aim higher and faster, so that Australia will continue moving towards a cleaner, healthier, pollution-free future for our children,” Henry said in an statement today.

“Of all Australia’s energy retail companies, only a few supported continued action to boost development of clean energy. We should pause and congratulate Diamond Energy, AGL and Pacific Hydro for having the courage to get behind what history will show is clearly the winning horse.”

Climate Institute CEO John Connor has also welcomed the news, warning that the renewables industry “can’t survive much more chopping and changing.”

“Every time there is a review of the policy there is an investment strike in clean energy,” said Connor. “Coalition and other suggestions of yet another review in 2014 will stymie investment in clean energy, slow the necessary transformation of the sector and ultimately increase costs to consumers.”

Connor also notes that calls from some vested interests to water down the RET focus on the costs that would be passed on to consumers, but he says this argument hasn’t factored in the costs of uncertainty, or of fossil fuel dependence.

“Consumers would ultimately pay for higher gas and carbon costs, as well as for the higher risk premiums resulting from the impact of policy changes on the sector.” http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/breaking-canberra-endorses-status-quo-on-renewables-target-25106

March 21, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, politics