The Australian Government has revealed its hand on cutting the Renewable Energy Target (RET) and it's not good news... We say increase the RET or leave it alone!
What is the Renewable Energy Target?
The Climate Institute explains:
“The Renewable Energy Target is a bipartisan policy designed to reduce carbon pollution from the electricity sector and build Australia's renewable energy industry. The Target is working, but several big power companies and industry associations are calling for it to be cut or even abolished altogether."
This week in RET news,
The Abbott Government wants to slash the RET to what they are calling a "real 20%".... this will cut renewable energy in Australia by almost half, costing us jobs and meaning less investment and higher power prices.
At this point Labor is rejecting the cut backs, saying the slash is "completely unacceptable".
The Australian Financial Review explains:
"Under the RET, both sides have always supported the legislated production target of 41,000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy a year by 2020.
It is now argued that around 27,000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy will constitute 20 per cent because forecast total energy production for 2020 has been downgraded due to the decline in manufacturing. This is known as the “real 20 per cent" option.
The 41,000 gigawatt hours target would be about 27 per cent of the revised production total."
In the words of my friend Lemon Grab...
We all need to keep up the pressure on those in power and let them know we support the RET! Here's what you can do:
Solar Citizens suggests you, "Make a quick phone call today to the MPs who are in Parliament this week negotiating the future of the Target and tell them we want the Target kept in full, with no cuts."
- Ian Macfarlane MP , Industry Minister - (02) 6277 7070
- Greg Hunt MP , Environment Minister - (02) 6277 7920
- Joe Hockey , Treasurer - (02) 6277 7340
- Mark Butler MP , Shadow Environment, Climate Change and Water Minister - (02) 6277 4089
- Gary Gray , Shadow Resources Minister - (02) 6277 4913
- Chris Bowen , Shadow Treasurer - (02) 6277 4822
What else can we do to save the RET?
- From Solar Citizens , add your name.
SIGN AND SHARE the biggest petition for solar and solar jobs ever seen in Australia: http://www.solarcitizens.org.au/protecttheret
- From Australian Conservation Foundation , Tell the big three to clean up their act!
Send an email to the Boards of the big three, telling them to clean up their act and show their support for the Renewable Energy Target. CLICK HERE.
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