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MORE COAL FIRED POWER FOR NSW? Can the NSW Government muster the political will to say no to coal and implement the urgently needed changes – energy efficiency and renewable energy? In 2005, the failure of the fossil fuel industry to convince the Government that the state needed more coal-fired power was a victory for sensible energy planning over the coal industry’s self-interest and Treasury bureaucrats enslaved to the mantra of ‘build and generate’. NSW now has a small but vital window of opportunity to tap into the vast potential of energy efficiency and renewable energy and rule out coal-fired power. For more details about why we don’t need more coal and do have the answers for sustainable energy, jobs and a more efficient economy, read on. Real Solutions for NSW’s Energy and the NSW Clean Energy Future Report Environment groups have produced comprehensive and realistic plans for NSW’s energy future. For NSW to make good on its promise to reduce emissions, it must rule out coal-fired power, implement renewable energy and utilise the massive potential of energy efficiency. The Clean Energy Future Group has done an analysis of NSW's power - the NSW Clean Energy Future Report. They've shown that it is possible to implement a very conservative mix of energy efficiency, wind, biomass and gas INSTEAD of building a new coal fired power. In fact - it's cheaper! Environment groups have proposed the Real Solutions for NSW’s Energy. The report shows that NSW can increase its energy supplies by over 50% - as much as 6 coal-fired power stations – with renewable energy and energy savings. The report outlines actual projects in development that would create jobs and help NSW avoid the emerging financial risks of expensive greenhouse emissions. The report also confirms that the peak demand projections on which calls for new power stations were based were overblown. To ensure that NSW continues on a clean energy path, the Government must: extend the life of the Energy Savings Fund for 20 years; introduce a Renewable Guarantee for 15% of renewable electricity by 2012 and 25% by 2020; maintain the 40% greenhouse reduction under BASIX due for June 2006; introduce a mandatory 5 star energy efficiency target for commercial buildings; and implement a carbon levy and/or emissions trading set to meet 20% reduction by 2020. Renewable Guarantee for NSW The biggest challenge facing NSW is renewable energy. Environment groups have are calling for a Renewable Guarantee for NSW to meet our energy needs without worsening climate change. NSW lags well behind the other states on wind, solar and bio-energy, with less than one percent of NSW’s energy coming from new renewable sources and no renewable energy target. NSW must now commit to 15% renewable energy by 2012 and 25% by 2020 and implement the programs to achieve these targets. Without support, the four new wind energy projects proudly announced by the NSW Government recently may not get built. The Common Myths of NSW Energy Policy In response to much misinformation about NSW’s energy supply and demand, environment groups have produced The Common Myths of NSW Energy Policy, an easy to read guide to help unravel coal industry and Treasury spin. The True Cost of Coal The True Cost of Coal report demolishes the myth that more coal-fired power is cheap. The real cost of a new coal power station is $9.4 billion when you include all the costs of augmenting the network (the poles and wires), the cost of fuel and the cost of greenhouse emissions. In contrast, stopping energy wastage would cost $1.2 billion and get the same result – with fewer emissions. That's a difference of $3,415 for every household in NSW! Key Contact Person - NSW Melinda Cook Nature Conservation Council NSW Climate Change Campaigner P (02) 9279 2466 mcook@nccnsw.org.au And Jane Castle Total Environment Centre P (02) 9299 5680 jane.castle@tec.org.au |
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