Antinuclear

Renewable Energy Target of great value to farmers

Farms rely on renewable energy target http://www.standard.net.au/story/2177788/farms-rely-on-renewable-energy-target/?cs=383 By SEAN McCOMISH March 27, 2014 WIND farm campaigners will launch a petition in the south-west next week calling on the federal government to preserve the country’s renewable energy target.

At least four major wind farm projects in Moyne Shire have been shelved until the government completes a review of the renewable energy target (RET) which sets a 20 per cent green energy goal by 2020.
Victorian Wind Alliance (VicWind) a coalition of manufacturers, energy groups and landholders will launch a petition next Tuesday in Yambuk and Portland. VicWind south-west organiser Angela McFeeters told The Standard the RET not only guaranteed income on farms but also supported jobs at Portland tower manufacturer Keppel Prince.

“In places like Yambuk people need to know if they’re going to have a future on the farm with the certainty of the guaranteed income,” Mr McFeeters said.

Campaigners will hand copies of the petition to politicians, including Wannon MP Dan Tehan who has previously expressed support for the green target.

Under the RET, turbines are subsidised thousands of dollars. A number of MPs, including Angus Taylor and Senator John Madigan, want to see the RET scrapped. In January Senator Madigan said the RET “means we are relying more on energy sources that are unreliable”.

According to Moyne Shire documents, construction has been suspended at the Hawkesdale, Ryans Corner, Woolsthorpe and Mortlake south wind farms until the government review is completed by September.
s.mccomih@fairfaxmedia.com.a

March 28, 2014 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, energy, politics