Political parties’ stances on renewable energy may be given careful consideration when Victorians go to the polls on the 29th of November.
According to BusinessSpectator, a recent survey commissioned by GetUp!, found 53 per cent of respondents considered it was “very important” for the state government to invest in renewable energy and a further 25 per cent said it was “important”.
On this issue, the Napthine Government may be in trouble.
“The past four years has seen a concerted attack on the renewable energy industry. The Baillieu/Napthine government tried to water down the crucial Federal RET by advocating the inclusion of gas, and the Climate Council now says Victoria has the worst policy environment for renewable energy,” said Australian Solar Council CEO John Grimes.
“In addition, the Coalition government has scrapped or reduced important state policies that supported the renewable energy industry, such as reducing the solar feed-in tariff and abolishing a state-based emissions reduction target.”
Mr. Grimes is also critical of Victorian Labor.
” Labor has promised to remove regulatory barriers to small-scale renewables and is providing support for one town to go 100% renewable, but more could be done.”
The Greens have vowed to phase-out coal-fired power stations at Hazelwood and Anglesea if they win the balance of power in Victoria; replacing them with solar farms and other renewable energy projects.
“Billions of dollars in investment and thousands of jobs are at risk if Victoria remains tied up in old dirty technology,” said Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber.
“The plan should be a priority for Victoria and the Greens will be using our position in the new parliament to push for it.”
Environment Victoria is calling on Victorians to vote at this election with the environment and climate in mind.
” With a less than two weeks to polling day, voters will soon have the opportunity to choose between differing views of what our energy mix should look like,” said the group’s Safe Climate Campaign Manager Dr Nicholas Aberle.
“The Federal Government has utterly abandoned us on climate issues, so it’s more important than ever that State Governments have the courage to lead the way towards clean energy.”
