Greens move to establish a new government authority to lead the energy transition
Greens climate and Energy spokesperson Adam Bandt MP today introduced the Renew Australia Bill 2016 into the House of Representatives to create a new government statutory authority to oversee the planned retirement of coal-fired power stations, invest in clean renewable energy, support affected communities through the transition and rewrite energy market laws. The bill implements the Greens’ energy plan which aims to increase energy production by about 50 per cent and transition from dirty to clean power and matches an energy transition plan released by the ACTU earlier this month.
“The recent close of the Hazelwood power station shows the transition is underway, but we need the government to lead it,” Mr Bandt said.
“This can be an Apollo project for Australia, driving the transition to a clean energy society, but that needs a high level of planning to get public and private works happening in time.”
“The Renew Australia bill creates a statutory authority charged with drafting laws to rewrite the country’s energy system so that we can get off coal and onto renewables by 2030.”
“Our existing energy generators, grid and market are no longer ‘fit for purpose’.”
“The transition task is huge and requires government coordination if we’re to ensure no-one is left behind.”
“Everyone now accepts that a carbon price alone probably won’t phase out coal in the time we need.”
“An overarching set of ‘new energy objectives’ is needed to shift to renewables, phase out coal in an orderly way, create a grid that supports decentralised generation and look after affected communities.”
“This bill enacts the Greens' Renew Australia policies we took to the election and is a blueprint that should be used by Australia’s Energy Ministers when they meet next month.”
Media contact: Adam Pulford, 0429 109 054
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