Presented by Energy Matters team member Virginia, we take a look at some of the stories from Australia and around the world recently added to our renewable energy news section.
In this episode, Virginia covers a proposal to tax coal fired power to pay for NSW’s Solar Bonus scheme, the heated debate on a carbon price for Australia, a new web site that tracks coal’s creep across Victoria and how a carbon price could boost regional renewable energy jobs.
In this episode:
– The NSW Greens are proposing the resurrection of the state’s Solar Bonus Scheme, which was axed in 2010.The Greens say they would increase the solar feed in tariff from 20 to 35 cents by imposing a yearly tax on coal fired power stations. The “Reigniting the Rooftop Solar Plan” policy would help boost the solar industry and rebuild confidence. The policy would also pool a loan for low income households, aged-care facilities and renters and would offer low interest loans to Australians to purchase solar systems. Read more.
– Whether or not to set a price on carbon seems to be the question on most Australian’s lips at the moment. The 437,000 member strong independent political action group, Get Up plan to hold a Rally in Support of Climate Action in Melbourne on Saturday March 12. The rally will be held in Treasury Place and is intended to communicate a vision for clean energy and a safe climate through a positive and family friendly gathering. Read more.
– A new web site that will track the expansion of Victoria’s brown coal industry is now live. The website, called Coal Watch, is part of Environment Victoria’s campaign against new coal mining leases, which it says inhibits renewable energy resource development. Read more.
– Research published by the Climate Institute suggests a carbon price in Australia could aid the creation of 34 thousand new jobs in regional areas in clean energy sectors. The report says that an introduction of carbon pricing and favourable clean energy policies could see close to 43 per cent of Australia’s electricity being generated from clean energy sources by 2030. Read more.
More details on these stories and many more can be viewed in our renewable energy news section. For previous episodes, visit the Energy Matters Video News archive. For news on the run, don’t forget to check out our new mobile news service!
