A group of Solar Citizens members met in Canberra on Wednesday to deliver the organisation’s 25,000+ signature Keep Solar Strong petition to the government.
The Keep Solar Strong petition is a call to the Federal Government to maintain and extend the Renewable Energy Target (RET); which is currently in Prime Minister Abbott’s crosshairs. The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (RES) is a part of the RET and provides subsidies for the purchase of solar panel systems.
Sarah Henderson MP, Federal Member for Corangamite, accepted the petition.
“I congratulate Solar Citizens for being such strong advocates for solar and renewable energy. I acknowledge the efforts of many thousands of people who signed this petition including those who live in the Corangamite electorate. I am strong supporter of the RET which is so important for jobs, our economy and the environment,” said Ms. Henderson.
“While I don’t necessarily agree with every statement in the petition itself, I support a strong, operative RET which continues to drive the uptake of renewable energy and returns certainty to the industry.”
The wording of the petition can be viewed here and the petition is still accepting signatures.
Solar Citizens has also been busy this week with its Cuppa Sunshine initiative.
Thousands of community members are gathering at 200 events to put pen to paper to show Government and crossbench senators the passionate support that exists for solar power in Australia.
“The Government appears intent on trying to axe or gut the Target, a successful government policy that acres of modelling and research has found will reduce power prices for all consumers in the long run,” said Lindsay Soutar, National Director of Solar Citizens.
“The Government is placing the wishes of big energy companies ahead of ordinary people who are trying to make ends meet.”
