[Greens-Media] Renewable energy buy-back is hading in right direction

[John Kaye]

Renewable energy buy-back is heading in right direction

Media Release: 1 October 2008

NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell's support for a renewable energy
buy-back scheme puts pressure on Premer Nathan Rees to become a feed-in
tariff advocate at this Friday’s COAG meeting, according to Greens NSW
MP John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: "NSW is the only state not setting up electricity
buy-back tariffs to offer financial incentives to households, small
businesses and community groups to generate zero-emissions energy.

"Mr O'Farrell has jumped ahead of the government. The opportunity to
catch up will come at the meeting of state and territory leaders and the
prime minister on Friday.

"Premier Rees can cut himself back into the renewable energy game by
being the voice for feed-in tariffs that really do kick-start the
small-scale solar power industry in Australia.

"The Opposition supports setting the premium payment to target a ten
year payback period for rooftop solar and other no-carbon electricity
sources.

"While the Greens think this is a little long, it is important that
households have certainty in recovering the large cost of buying and
installing solar generating equipment.

"The Opposition's proposal will only work if the scheme sets a buy-back
rate for all the energy generated by the solar panels or other sources.

"Premier Rees can demonstrate his commitment to the thousands of jobs
in manufacturing and installing rooftop clean energy systems by arguing
for so-called gross feed-in tariffs.

"Allowing electricity suppliers to pay only for the net amount
generated, after the household load has been supplied, would hog-tie the
scheme. It would take away the certainty in pay-back periods and
unfairly reduce the benefit for many consumers.

"Nathan Rees starts out with a legacy of his predecessor’s hostility
to renewable energy. Friday will be his big chance to shake off that
history and get ahead of the Opposition," 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