[Greens-Media] Owen Inquiry: Ask a silly question, get a silly answer

[John Kaye]

Owen Inquiry: Ask a silly question, get a silly answer
 
Media Release: 11 September 2007
 
The Owen Inquiry’s recommendation for privatisation of the electricity
industry is based on the entirely false proposition that NSW will need
new base-load generation by 2013 or 2014, according to Greens NSW MP
John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: “Professor Owen has delivered a report that will drive
NSW down a one way path to higher emissions.
 
“The Inquiry discarded the possibilities of reducing over-night demand
by replacing electric off-peak water heaters with high efficiency and
solar units.
 
“By failing to adequately test the need for new baseload capacity,
Professor Owen inflated the capital requirements of the industry and
manufactured an argument for selling off the retailers and the
generators.
 
“This might please Treasurer Michael Costa but it is a dangerous
fantasy.
 
“Professor Owen’s logic started with the need for new baseload capacity
and argued that this can only be delivered by private ownership or
leasehold of generators. 
 
“His case for privatising the retailers hinged on allowing them to be
owned by the generators as part of their risk management portfolio.
 
“In effect, Professor Owen is sacrificing the benefits of public
ownership for a baseload power station that is not needed, using logic
that is at best questionable. 
 
“This is an expensive and dangerous mistake that will commit NSW to an
energy industry with ballooning emissions.
 
“The report also fails to rule out a new coal fired power station and
instead suggests that  the decision be left up to the market, with the
state government smoothing the way with a well-oiled development
approval process.
 
“The Greens will be campaigning to expose the failures of the Inquiry.

 
“Any developer of a new coal fired power station should know that they
will face the mother of all battles,” Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000