[Greens-Media] Renewables Bill to export jobs

[John Kaye]

Renewables Bill to export jobs
 
MEDIA RELEASE
17 September 2007
 
A key flaw in the NSW Renewable Energy Target (NRET) will lead to NSW
households paying for renewable energy generated in other states,
according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
The NRET Bill, which is likely to be considered by Parliament next
week, does not require renewable energy to be generated in NSW.
Renewable energy companies have said today that this threatens the
industry in NSW.
 
Dr Kaye said: “The failure of the NRET legislation to limit generation
to NSW means another opportunity for clean energy jobs in NSW will be
lost.
 
“Jobs that should be going to the people of NSW will instead be
exported to other states.
 
“The Victorian renewable target limits generation to Victoria. The
Brumby government anticipates $2 billion investment to flow from this
decision, leading to thousands of jobs.
 
“The NSW government should be taking this opportunity to build a
renewable energy industry in this state, with sustainable, quality jobs *
not exporting them to other states.
 
“The NSW government is instead allowing generation to occur in other
states that do not have mandatory targets. NSW ratepayers will be
funding jobs in other states.
 
“Coming on top of the litany of climate change failures from the NSW
government, the decision to export renewable energy jobs to other states
makes plain the irrational lack of interest in a climate-friendly
economy inside the NSW Cabinet.
 
“Instead of clean energy jobs into the future, we get dirty coal.
Instead of investment in sustainable water use, we get desalination.
Instead of a workable GGAS scheme, we get a government walking away.
 
“Greens MPs will be holding the Iemma government to account for its
litany of climate failures and betrayals when Parliament sits”, 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