ACT rejects Federal Government’s lies on renewables and recommits to local action on climate change


Released 25/07/2017

ACT Greens MLA and Minister for Climate Change, Shane Rattenbury, said the ACT will continue to lead the nation on renewable energy and climate change mitigation, despite the increasing attacks from the Federal Government and State Liberal Parties.

“While the Prime Minister, with increasing support from State Liberal Parties, tries to kill off efforts on renewable energy, the ACT will defend our ambitious but achievable goals on renewable energy and climate change mitigation,” said Mr Rattenbury.

“Local efforts on renewable energy are more important than ever. The Turnbull Government has rejected an emissions intensity trading scheme, and has become increasingly obsessed with coal generation—despite the mountains evidence that investment in coal is a disaster for our climate and for government and household budgets.”

For example, a recent analysis by the Climate and Energy College at the University of Melbourne found that the Federal Government’s plan for new coal power plants will cost $62 billion, or twice as the cost of using renewables ($24-$34 billion) to achieve the same outcome.  

“The Federal Government has now sunk to a narrative of ‘alternative facts’, blaming recent issues with the electricity network on renewable energy despite clear advice from experts and its own Department that this was not the case.  

“This week the ACT Assembly will debate the issue of renewable energy and climate change. I will call on all parties to reaffirm their commitment to our leading climate change mitigation targets, to prioritise investment in renewable energy, and to reject the deceptive and ideological attacks on renewable energy and climate change action.  

“It’s ironic that we need to defend the ACT’s efforts on climate change in a week of extreme temperatures and bushfires across the nation. These weather conditions, and the strain they put on our electricity network and our community, are only going to happen more often.

“I urge all Canberrans to see through the Federal Government’s lies about renewables and understand that wind and solar are absolutely compatible with energy security.

“By investing in renewable energy, not only are we doing the right thing for the environment and Australia’s energy future, but we’re being rewarded with economic, business and innovation opportunities.

“Next time the Prime Minister visits Canberra, I invite him to tour our ‘Solar Highway’—a stretch of road housing four major solar farms which are generating thousands of megawatt hours of electricity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and securing cheap electricity prices for Canberrans,” Mr Rattenbury concluded.

- Statement ends -

Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases

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