[Greens-Media] Carr's brown energy future

[Paul Sheridan]

Media Release				7 December, 2004

Carr's brown energy future

The Premier is deceiving the people of NSW about his government's
"green" credentials and will commit the state to a future polluted by
new coal-fired power stations, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

Speaking following the release of the NSW Government's Green Paper on
Energy, Mr Cohen said the Premier would only become part of the problem
on climate change, not the cure, unless he takes action to reduce the
state's dependence on coal mining and coal-fired power.

"Despite the Premier recently hosting the International Climate Change
Task Force in Sydney to solve the problems of global warming, the coal
industry in NSW continues to expand at the fastest rate in history."

Mr Cohen said that unless the NSW Government acts quickly to take
advantage of the enormous investment and jobs potential in the
sustainable energy industry, such as wind and solar, NSW would be left
behind the rest of Australia and the world.

"Sustainable energy has been the fastest growing industry sector in
NSW, valued at $5.3 billion, and employment opportunities have increased
at a rate of 12 per cent a year.

"However, unless there is a commitment to invest in the future of the
industry, NSW will lose its way and be left behind the rest of the
world."


Media Contact:	Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656


The Premier is deceiving the people of NSW about his government's
"green" credentials and will commit the state to a future polluted by
new coal-fired power stations, Greens MLC Ian Cohen said today.

Speaking following the release of the NSW Government's Green Paper on
Energy, Mr Cohen said the Premier would only become part of the problem
on climate change, not the cure, unless he takes action to reduce the
state's dependence on coal mining and coal-fired power.

"Despite the Premier recently hosting the International Climate Change
Task Force in Sydney to solve the problems of global warming, the coal
industry in NSW continues to expand at the fastest rate in history."

Mr Cohen said that unless the NSW Government acts quickly to take
advantage of the enormous investment and jobs potential in the
sustainable energy industry, such as wind and solar, NSW would be left
behind the rest of Australia and the world.

"Sustainable energy has been the fastest growing industry sector in
NSW, valued at $5.3 billion, and employment opportunities have increased
at a rate of 12 per cent a year.

"However, unless there is a commitment to invest in the future of the
industry, NSW will lose its way and be left behind the rest of the
world."


Media Contact:	Paul Sheridan, 0410 516 656