NEWSFLASH 12:15pm August 20 – Solar Credits legislation has been passed
After an excruciatingly long debate in the Senate late yesterday afternoon that dragged on well into the evening, Australia’s Renewable Energy Target legislation is yet to be passed, but is expected to later today.
The passing of the legislation will be a huge relief for the local solar industry, which has been left hanging for months in regards to rebates; with the situation threatening thousands of jobs.
When the bill does finally pass, it will likely unleash a flood of enquiries regarding solar power as Australian households, businesses and community groups rush to take advantage of the Solar Credits program that offers up to $7,500 in rebates on off grid and grid connect solar power. While the program has been active for some time, funding has been stalled pending the passing of RET legislation.
Senator Christine Milne, the Deputy Leader of the Greens, has been attempting to include amendments to the legislation without success. These amendments include an increase to the target, the implementation of a uniform, national gross feed in tariff, a lifting of the 1.5kW cap under the Solar Credits program and strategies to deal with the creation of “phantom” Renewable Energy Certificates under the Solar Credits scheme.
The Government and Opposition has opposed all these amendments.
“It is an ominous sign that Minister Wong has chosen to brown down the renewable energy target with the coalition and the polluters,” Senator Milne said; but she acknowledges the renewable energy target legislation needs to be implemented as swiftly as possible, to “unleash the tremendous potential of renewable energy to re-energise Australia and create tens of thousands of jobs”.
The “browning down” refers to the Government conceding on issues including the inclusion of waste coalmine gas and on more favourable treatment of trade exposed sectors such as aluminium; cards played by the Coalition. The Government is expected to make more concessions today before the legislation is passed.
