Antinuclear

Young Victorians want renewable energy to replace Hazelwood power station

Next generation pushes for green energy to renew Hazelwood power station, ABC News, By Helen Brown, 23 Oct 16,  The Latrobe Valley is home to three coal mines and four power stations, but now the 75,000 residents in the area are facing serious questions about their future.

French company Engie has said it has no immediate plans to shut down the ageing Hazelwood plant, but in the valley many believe it is only a matter of time before Australia’s most polluting power plant stops operating.

And that has led to a group of its younger residents calling for a different kind of future.

Carolina Herrera, 16, said losing Hazelwood would be tough, and a plan for new jobs needed to be put in place. She believed a move to renewable energy was the way to go.

“People would have to leave, and that would affect the community except at the same time it’s something that can be improved, like cleaner jobs, there’s lots we can do,” she said.

According to teenager Ella Darling, it is time to use local skills to become known for a different way of producing power. “Brown coal has made this area what it is so we’re thankful for that, but it is time for change to solar power, wind and even thermal power,” Ella said……..

It is this scenario that has also prompted action for change from a group called the Earthworker Cooperative.

They have invested heavily in solar manufacturing equipment with the aim of starting new industries and new training opportunities in the region.

According to its secretary, Dan Musil, the gear could be used by a number of local businesses involved in sustainable industries. “We’ve been working as a community group in the absence of government action,” he said.

“We’re a community group trying to take action where governments haven’t been, to set up jobs in what will be, what needs to be, a just transition for the valley,” he said……..http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-23/push-for-green-energy-to-renew-hazelwood-power-station/7956988

October 23, 2016 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News