Senate Move to Fix Renewable Energy Regulation

[Oquist, Ben (Sen B. Brown)]

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Sunday, 25 March 2001

Senate Move to Fix Renewable Energy Regulation

TASMANIANS MISS OUT ON CHEAPER SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEMS

Greens Senator Bob Brown will move in the Senate this week to disallow
sections of the Government's renewable energy regulations that discriminate
against Tasmanians and will encourage native forest woodchips to be burnt
for electricity.

"The regulations allow for renewable energy certificates to be created by
installing solar water heaters.  Such certificates could effectively cut the
price of solar hot waters by between $200-600," Senator Brown said.

"If one in three Tasmanian households was fitted with solar hot water it
would free up as much electricity as will be produced by the Southwood
project's forest furnace at Judbury.

"However Tasmanians may be denied the benefits of the cheap solar hot water
scheme because renewable energy certificates can only be issued if they
displace the use of non-renewable electricity and create a positive
greenhouse benefit but not if the displaced electricity is 'generated from
sources that are mainly renewable energy sources'

"As Tasmania's electricity comes from Hydro, Tasmanians may miss out.

"Tasmanian Liberal Senators should do the right thing by the state and back
change to the regulations immediately.

"The regulations made under the Government's Renewable Energy (Electricity)
Act also give no protection against native forest being woodchipped to be
burnt for electricity in furnaces such as the Southwood proposal," Senator
Brown said.

"The regulations provide a new financial incentive for Tasmania's forests to
be woodchipped.  Unbelievably once the woodchips are burnt the electricity
generated will be credited as environmentally friendly," Senator Brown said.
  
Further information: Ben Oquist 02 62773170 or 0419704095

Ben Oquist
Greens Senator Bob Brown
02 62773170 ph
02 62773185 fx
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