If a rural community could choose its source of energy, would it opt to stay with coal, or move to renewables?
The message from the New England Energy Forum was clear: renewable energy is preferred by a wide margin as the best option. Improving energy efficiency and better managing demand were also relatively popular alternatives, but there were no votes for retaining coal or introducing nuclear power. While the group recognised the benefits of fossil fuels such their existing availability, convenience and seeming low cost, they overwhelmingly shared concerns about the growing serious impacts they were having on human health and the environment.
The forum was held in Tamworth earlier this month, coinciding with the announcement of funding for further development of the New England Wind and Farming the Sun projects. Three-dozen people from a cross section of business, government and community participated in the first ever forum which sought their views on energy options for the region.
See some of the media coverage of the Launch and Forum here:
- Community supports winds of change | ABC New England North West
- Region powers up renewable energy projects | Northern Daily Leader
- Sustainable innovations powered up | The Armidale Express
- Northern Tablelands ramps up support for wind farm | ABC Rural
Read more about Starfish’s renewable energy initiatives here:
- Farming the Sun | community owned solar farms
- New England Wind | community owned wind farm
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