Carbon captured Brumby. Community disappointed with new solar laws
May 06, 2008
The Moreland Energy Foundation is extremely disappointed with the State Government's decision not to introduce a progressive tariff to reward solar electricity generators.
The Government's proposed tariff for small scale solar electricity generation falls way short of ideal, according to the Moreland Energy Foundation and a range of community groups and businesses.
"The community is ready to take action on greenhouse gases and it is up to the Government to get the incentives right. The Government's proposed solar tariff won't stimulate the investment in renewable energy that we need to help combat dangerous climate change." Moreland Energy Foundation CEO, Paul Murfitt said.
The Government has bowed to pressure from the greenhouse intensive coal industry by introducing this weak tariff for solar. This is only weeks after its Climate Change Summit where the Government made big commitments to act on climate change.
"The Government has failed the first test of their commitment to put Victoria at the forefront of emerging "green" economies." Mr Murfitt said.
The Brumby Government is proposing a "net" model for the tariff, meaning that a premium price will only be paid for the amount of clean electricity generated over and above the level of electricity used in the home or business.
Internationally, the most successful tariffs have proven to be "gross" tariffs where small generators - households and businesses - are paid a premium price for all of the electricity they generate from clean sources. This makes investment in clean, renewable energy attractive to a much broader section of the community.
In Germany, for example, the gross feed-in tariff has resulted in massive investment in solar electricity and placed Germany at the forefront of the solar electricity industry. The Brumby Government has missed the opportunity to bring this advantage to Victoria.
A coalition of almost 30 community, environment and social justice groups has been calling for the introduction of a gross tariff model that would encourage householders and small businesses to invest in solar on their roofs and join in the fight against global warming.
"We need to act on climate change now and while the Government continues to focus investment on the coal industry, we will not be in a position to bring the economic and environmental benefits of clean, green electricity generation to Victoria." Mr Murfitt said.
The Moreland Energy Foundation will join with a range of groups and concerned community members to protest this decision at 8.30 am this Thursday on the steps of Parliament House.
