[Greens-Media] CBD's carbon footprint to grow thanks to power sell-off

[John Kaye]

CBD's carbon footprint to grow thanks to power sell-off
 
Media Release: 28 April 2008
 
The Iemma government's decision to earmark an additional $140 million from the electricity sell-off for new substations and cables in Sydney's Central Business District is another backward step on global warning, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. 
 
Today's Telegraph (p.5.) reports that the NSW Energy Minister, Ian Macdonald, has earmarked the funding in addition to the $429 million Energy Australia is already committed to spending over 4 years on the city's distribution network. 
 
Dr Kaye said: "The Iemma government is encouraging a business as usual attitude to commercial energy use at a time when Sydney needs to dramatically cut its greenhouse gas emissions. 
 
"The CBD would not need additional investment in substations if the government demands that all new buildings in the CBD implement world's best practice energy efficiency.
 
"Investing in more distribution capacity destroys the incentive for new buildings to become efficiency leaders. It will remove the economic arguments for better design and it will encourage business as usual attitudes to energy planning.
 
"Huge energy savings can be made by improving building design, including local solar generation and installing high efficiency appliances and building services.
 
"Many buildings could be close to zero net energy demand.
 
"The Iemma government continues to peddle the myth that the lights will go out unless it acts to increase electricity capacity. 
 
"They claim that selling off NSW's electricity industry is essential, despite overwhelming expert opinion that improving energy efficiencies would solve NSW's future needs. 
 
"In a further rejection of the advice of climate change experts, the Iemma government has committed to a growing list of projects that will increase greenhouse emissions, including the M4 East motorway. 
 
"This latest decision is another step down the path of more global warming and more wasted money," Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
----------------------------------
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