Renewable solutions sidelined whilst dirty coal is bankrolled in budget
From Canberra, Greenpeace head of campaigns Stephen Campbell sends this statement:
“We are in the midst of an extreme climate crisis and the Rudd Government’s first budget was an opportunity to show voters that they truly means business on climate change.
“Instead they have let Australia down by not delivering the climate solutions that are at their fingertips right now - renewable energy, such as wind, solar and geothermal.
“The government’s flagship renewable energy fund will not get a single cent over the next year whilst the clean coal scam will receive $31 million. Over the next three years, renewables will get half as much public money than wealthy coal companies pushing CCS.
“Why is the Rudd government buying into the CCS scam which cannot play a role in cutting emissions for at least another 20 years at least, if at all? Just think how much energy we could be generating from renewables in that period of time if we start injecting cash into the solution rather than the problem?
”This is a ‘pollute as usual’ budget that reflects the interests of the fossil fuel lobbyists in Canberra whilst Australians who care about climate change will continue to foot the bill of wealthy coal companies.
”This budget has not redirected any of the $7.8 billion in taxpayer handouts that encourage the continued use of fossil fuels that are driving climate change. 30,000 Australians called for these subsidies to be redirected to renewables and the Rudd government has ignored them.
“Any future review of the taxation system must deal directly with the $7.8 billion in subsidies still going to encourage fossil fuel use. If it doesn’t then it is missing the essential component of cleaning up the tax system.
“Renewable energy is the solution to climate change and the technology is ready right now - it needs a huge injection of cash which can come from reviewing these perverse subsidies.”
May 14th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
What is the detail re the $300 million diesel subsidy to the coal companies. Was that revoked in this budget? Elsewhere I have been hearing disturbing things about Qld where even proposed energy auditing courses in TAFE may not eventuate - nothing SMART about that. There is lots of tinkering to look and sound green but as always the devil is in the detail and the detail looks decidedly black and brown. Coal lobbies are clearly winning. How depressing
May 15th, 2008 at 11:16 am
You should find out about the former oil tycoons who have gone into renewable energy, maybe some of their competition will shake up those with their head in the sand in Australia about this issue.
May 15th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
I work in the solar energy industry and the latest budget will destroy many small PV suppliers and installers. The $8,000 PVRP rebate is now means tested so that households that earn more than $100,000 will no longer be eligible for the rebate. You also need to own your own home, which was an existing requirement, but due to the current housing crisis, people on less than $100,000 have enormous mortgages and can’t pay for the systems. I suggest the government means test the clean coal fund, and any company earning more than $100,000 a year can pay for the research themselves.
May 15th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Hi Tracey,
The $300 million to coal companies wasn’t revoked in the budget. Something we’re really disappointed about because we thought it was such a simple and obvious measure to take. The worse news is that the system under which the coal industry gets this handout will apply to more fuels from the middle of this year so we’ll be paying their petrol bill as well as their fuel bill!
David - love the idea about means testing the clean coal fund!
Julien
From the Climate and Energy Campaign at Greenpeace
May 15th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Angela, its not all bad. We can fight back.
Get Up is doing its thing.
Everybody can also do their thing, at some level. For example am going to start talking to people in my hood, and will publish our conversations on my blog.
We all wanted change, when we voted Rudd, Garret and Co in, so now we just have to make sure they listen to us…
That Takes just a bit of effort.
May 15th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
As a very small courier company, I am quite peeved at the big coal companies getting a $300 million handout each year. We don’t get any handouts at all. We have to stand on our own two feet so why can’t they. Have struggled through ten months of drought affected income so far. Not eligible for any assistance. Our fuel bill each month is more than our Home Loan and Van Payments combined each month. Would love to see more clean and renewable energy. Love the wind turbines in far north Qld.
May 16th, 2008 at 11:26 am
Solar Panel Rebate U-Turn
I am writing to express my absolute dismay at the Cth Government’s decision to limit the solar panel rebate to families earning less than $100,000 p.a.
This decision flies in the face of this government’s stated objective of tackling climate change and is short sighted if not penny pinching. The key issue is how many people earning $100,000 p.a. or less can afford a minimum of $3,000 to install solar panels on their homes?
I note Peter Garrett’s reported statement that this move was to ensure the rebate “went to those who needed it”. In reply I say, Peter, the entire nation needs more solar cells, the rebate was not a social security measure like health cards, it is an investment in our sustainable future – which we now know is a farce.
No one needs to put solar panels on their homes nor is there a real financial incentive of recouping the capital outlay from reduced electricity bills within a reasonable timeframe. People invested in solar panels because the grant made if affordable and they believed they were doing something concrete for the environment. To put it simply, the ones who could afford to install solar panels were generally those who earned more than $100,000. If, as a result of the change in policy less people take up this rebate how can it be considered to be a successful initiative
To put the issue in context, prior to the change a 1kw solar panel would have cost a home owner approximately $3-4k - now if you earn more than $100,000 p.a. it will cost you $13-15k. If, as a result of the change in policy less people take up this rebate how can it be considered to be a successful environmental initiative.
I implore Peter Garrett to stand up for the environment and reverse this decision. Time for action to follow words and invest in the solar nation.
May 16th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
David, I’m going to write to the government tonight. Thanks for your excellent post, it will help writing part of my letter much easier.
I’m sick of governments who promise one thing and next minute they are pandering to big business. These people need to be kept honest.
May 17th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
When this government really needed to step up and show its credentials on climate legislation it has shown a pitiful lack of insight and resolve , this decision is a kick in the teeth to everyone who voted them in as our climate change heroes , I have written to Garrett , Rudd , Swan and the opposition ( Greg Hunt , who is the only one who has had the initiative to reply ) plus the print and online media , to me it’s time to get really angry , if we let this government start pussyfooting around with our kid’s future with limp responses and pathetic legislation like this in it’s first year then we are all doomed to reap the rewards of another 12 years of federal inaction. It’s just not good enough !
May 21st, 2008 at 4:53 am
Hey! Thanks for the great info. I was browsing through a bunch of green websites and blogs and I came across yours and found it very interesting. There are a bunch of others I like too, like the daily green, ecorazzi and earthlab.com. I especially like EarthLab.com’s carbon calculator (http://www.earthlab.com/signupprofile/). I find it really easy to use (it doesn’t make me feel guilty after I take it). Are there any others you would recommend? Can you drop me a link to your favorites (let me know if they are the same as mine).
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:20 pm
FREE 100% CLEAN ENERGY exists today that will cut 100% the need for Oil, Coal, Petrol & Nuclear Energy so powerful that it even dispels the need for wind & solar. However, they (government through their corporate oil and coal lobbyists) don’t want you to know about it.
Time to wake up people…
One such option is this free ‘over unity’ magnetic motor. For every 1kw that goes in, 10kw comes out. www.lutec.com.au
Tell your freinds.
May 27th, 2008 at 1:01 am
The greed of Coal companies such as Peabody’s now threatens historical Hunter Valley Town of Jerrys Plains. When will this end please help to save our town look at www.savejerrysplains.com.au we need your support Tell your friends
June 20th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
To anyone out there,i see a growing body of people talking of the wrongs of this govt and how they seem to be in league with big business.Now my question to one and all is how do we get to be a big enough voice that the powers that be take note and listen to what we have to say.We as a people have become so insular,so apathetic in our way of thinking it is not surprising no one movement is considered a threat to governments and power brockers.Is there a way for all these small and not so small voices to join and put individuality aside for the greater good of us all.
July 1st, 2008 at 4:25 pm
The government are in league with the oil companies to keep free energy out of the public domain. They do this to keep people in servitude. (i.e. you have to go to work and fund the oil driven economy) Imagine if you had a free energy device attached to your house and car. Straight away everyone would want one and the oil companies would collapse along with the greedy corrupt governments that facilitate it. I’m not against governments just the criminal factions of it that supress free energy devices for thier oil pals. Do the research and you will see for yourself the lie that we have been fed to us - the people.
October 17th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
The historic township and River Red Gum environment of Jerrys Plains is threatened by Australian bank-financed coal mining.
Read more at http://www.jerrysplains.blogspot.com/ Please leave your comments and tell all your friends.
March 17th, 2009 at 6:35 am
Hi!
I like idea of renewable energy sources, like solar panels. From my experience I can say that solar panels are very effective. I already use solar power about a year and I’m very happy. Each month I save hundreds of my dollars.
I don’t recommend you to buy solar panel because it may be expensive. I build my solar panel by myself, there are a lot of instructions online so you can find one. You can try this one http://www.squidoo.com/solar-panels-diy because I know Michael and I know that his manual is really great.