Renewable Energy needs your support!
Amidst a much needed debate on how the world can meet its growing energy needs into the future, the pro-nuclear lobby appears to be gaining strong support, including senior elements of the Howard government.
This is despite the very real dangers of Nuclear power (especially as a terrorist target), problems involved in disposing of its waste, and the massive investment required to mine and process Uranium and build Nuclear power plants.
Opponents
of Nuclear energy point out that effective and more cost
effective renewable technologies already exist that are
capable of meeting our growing energy needs. It is a little
known fact that enough solar energy reaches the earth
every day to provide 23 years of the total global demand for
electricity! Yet we harness very little of that energy.
Australia is blessed with abundant levels of sunshine and is a recognised world leader in the field of solar energy (solar power and solar hot water).
One of the main policy initiatives by the Federal Government in this area is the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) scheme which requires energy retailers to source 2% of their energy from renewable sources. Energy companies buy Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) which are created by renewable energy infrastructure developments including the installation of solar hot water systems in Australian households.
The table below tracks the price of RECs which are traded much like shares on the stock market:
| Year | RECs value |
| 2002 | $40 |
| 2003 | $38 |
| 2004 | $36 |
| 2005 | $30 |
| early 2006 | $24 |
| mid 2006 | $19 |
Prices for RECs have plummeted in recent months and seem set to fall even further due to the very low target set for the MRET.
Concerted public pressure is needed to get the Howard government to increase the MRET target (it needs to be 10% or more) - this would provide a major support for renewable energy in this country and reward companies and households that invest in it.
Lets do a Snowy on the MRET!
The
recent back down on the sale of the Snowy scheme clearly
shows that the Howard Government will respond to public
pressure.
We urge you to contact the Federal Environment Minister, Mr. Ian Campbell, to express your support for renewable energy to demand that they increase the MRET to at least 10%.
How to contact Mr. Ian Campbell
Tel: (02) 6277 7640
Fax: (02) 6273 6101
Email: senator.ian.campbell@aph.gov.au
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