[Greens-Media] Iemma's power sell-off would stymie Garnaut's call to action

[John Kaye]

Iemma's power sell-off would stymie Garnaut's call to action
 
Media Release: 21 February 2008
 
Deep cuts to NSW's greenhouse gas emissions that were urged by Professor Ross Garnaut in his interim report released today can only be achieved if the Iemma government abandons its plans to privatise the electricity industry, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: "NSW's electricity industry produces 57 million tonnes of CO2 each year which is 35 per cent of the state's total emissions.
 
"Placing the generators under the control of private corporations would remove a crucial emissions reduction opportunity.
 
"Iemma's sell-off would make it much more expensive to phase out older, more polluting coal-fired power stations to meet targets because the private operators would seek compensation for lost profits.
 
"Privatisation would create yet another barrier to meeting the targets.
 
"Selling off the retailers would undermine moves to greater energy efficiency, particularly if they were acquired by the same company that controls the power stations.
 
"No amount of regulation could protect households from being used as cash cows to satisfy the private owners' drive to make more profits.
 
"Professor Garnaut has highlighted the urgency and importance of reducing Australia's emissions to stabilise global temperatures and to  encourage other nations to do the same.
 
"NSW Treasurer Michael Costa's privatisation scheme would frustrate the national effort to show leadership in our region.
 
"Public ownership and control is an important emissions reduction lever that should not be given away.
 
"The Iemma government is refusing to face the climate change reality. 
 
"Their failure to realise the emissions consequences of privatisation could impose massive social and economic costs on this state," 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