Greens urge customers to leave Simply Energy over Hazelwood
Federal Greens MP for Melbourne Adam Bandt and State MP for Melbourne Ellen Sandell today launched a campaign calling on Simply Energy customers to leave the energy retailer as the next step in the decade-long campaign to replace Hazelwood coal-fired power station with renewable energy. The companies that own Hazelwood also own Simply Energy.
The campaign has been launched on the same day as the Greens held a rally out the front of Hazelwood co-owner Mitsui’s Australian Head Office in Melbourne.
“The age of coal is over. It is time for Australia to catch up with the rest of the world and start phasing out our dirty coal-fired power stations,” Mr Bandt said.
“Here in Victoria, Hazelwood’s dirty energy is crowding out clean energy investment and the pollution it pumps out is a threat to the climate.”
“We know that one of Hazelwood’s owners is already considering its future. By shifting away from Simply Energy, an energy retailer owned by the same companies as Hazelwood, consumers can send a message that it is time to replace the country's dirtiest power station with clean energy.”
“Victoria does not need Hazelwood to meet our energy needs,” Ms Sandell said.
“Daniel Andrews and his Labor government need to step up and match their plans for renewable energy with a plan to phase out coal-fired power stations, starting with Hazelwood.”
“By acting now, we can put in place a plan for a just transition for the workers and community whose livelihoods depend on Hazelwood.”