[Greens-Media] WA Greens - 20/20 Mandated Renewable Energy Target to bring $2.3B to WA - Paul Llewellyn

[Anderson, Sonia]

17 December 2008

20/20 MANDATED RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET TO BRING $2.3BILLION TO WA

Liberal and National support for 20% by 2020 renewable energy target laws will lock in massive investment in clean energy in WA, says Greens MLC, Paul Llewellyn.

"Last year the Liberals and Nationals supported my private member's bill for a 20% renewable energy target in WA by 2020", said Mr Llewellyn.

"I trust that the new Liberal-National government in WA will now support the Federal government's 20% renewable energy target for Australia", he said.

"The Upper House passed the Greens (WA) Electricity Industry (Renewable Energy Targets) Amendment Bill 2005 on 26 October 2006, with Liberal and National support - the bill was also supported by the Liberals and Nationals in the Lower House when it was debated on 19 September 2007.

When the bill was debated in the Lower House, Mr Barnett said:
As members are aware, the bill sets a target of 20 per cent of renewable energy on the south west integrated system by 2020. There is no doubt that that is an ambitious target.  However, compared to the current level of renewables of about six per cent, it is a worthy target, and I have no difficulty supporting it.

The Mandated Renewable Energy Target (MRET) framework was first introduced by the Howard government in 2000.

"A 20/20 target will bring over $2.3B dollars in investment to Western Australia and cost WA power consumers less than $1 per week in increased electricity bills", Mr Llewellyn said.