Hello renewable energy supporters!
You haven’t heard from us for a while, but we’ve been keeping our eye on the Federal government’s plans for more investment in renewables. Recently they released their draft Clean Energy Legislation (carbon price) and have invited the general public to comment on their proposed plans.
Submissions close next Monday, 22nd of August.
This package includes measures to support renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as implementing a price on greenhouse gas pollution. Submissions are thus a great opportunity for us to show broad public support for the renewable energy measures in the scheme and to let the government know we are calling on them to move fast in implementing them. Unfortunately they are also an opportunity for industry and lobby groups to get the legislation watered down, so it’s important we show our support.
Making a submission is very easy. You can either:
- Write a short email or letter using the talking points provided (pick and choose the ones you want) and send it off with the cover sheet below.
- Or, if you’re short of time, click here, to download a template letter we’ve prepared for you The more personal it is the better; even half a page is great.
Whichever method you choose, you’ll need to get your submission in by the end of Monday, 22nd August.
Some talking points you might include:
- I am very supportive of the Government’s efforts to legislate a price on pollution before the end of the year [include your reason why]
- As someone working to promote renewable energy in my own community [you might want to say how you are doing this] I am particularly supportive of the measures contained within the package to promote renewable energy including the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation
- I am concerned however, about the delay in legislating the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and other renewables measures and urge the government to introduce these as fast as possible.
- I also urge the government to ensure that:
- none of the $10 billion promised for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation for the first five years is provided to gas power stations, so-called ‘clean coal’ or any other kind of fossil fuel technology.
- the Australian Energy Market Operator’s assessment of the technical needs for a switch to 100% Renewable Energy is concluded by the end of 2012.
- the new chairs of both the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency are free from any conflict of interest, real or perceived, that may arise from links to the fossil fuel industry.
- I also support the agreement to see the shut-down of 2000MW of coal power and the creation of a working group to implement recommendations on energy efficiency and urge the government to introduce these measures as soon as possible.
What you need to do:
- Fill out this Submission Cover Sheet
- Write your submission and address it to: The Carbon Price Legislation Branch
- Email your cover sheet and submission to cleanenergybills@climatechange.gov.au by August 22, 2011.
- Or mail to this address:
Carbon Price Legislation Branch
Climate Strategy and Markets Division
Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
GPO Box 854
CANBERRA ACT 2601 - CC a copy of your submission to the following people so they know there is support for the scheme:
- Tony Windsor (tony.windsor.mp@aph.gov.au )
- Minister Combet (greg.combet.mp@aph.gov.au), and
- Treasurer Swan (wayne.swan.mp@aph.gov.au)
Thank you as always. We really do appreciate your time and support, and couldn’t achieve any of this without you.
Jarra and Hadley
