Clean energy pledge

Warrnambool Standard
Tuesday 14/11/2006 Page: 8

SOUTH West Coast candidate Roy Reekie believes Portland could become the alternative energy hub of Australia after Labor committed further support to renewables yesterday.

Premier Steve Bracks announced that under Labor, 20 per cent of the state's electricity would have to come from low emission sources by 2020.

While this includes natural gas and "clean coal", Mr Reekie said it would continue to encourage investment in the wind industry, much to the benefit of Portland businesses. "It is a huge vote of confidence in the wind power industry and a real vote of confidence in Portland," he said.

The goal is on top of the Victorian Renewable Energy Scheme (VRET), which requires energy retailers to buy 10 per cent of their electricity from renewable energy suppliers. Speaking at his official campaign launch in Ballarat, Mr Bracks said Labor would legislate to cut greenhouse emissions by 60 per cent by 2050.

The move has accentuated a political wedge between the two major parties. The Liberals are set to abolish the VRET scheme. They believe greater greenhouse gas cuts can be made by improving the brown coal sector.

"The choice is absolutely clear. The Bracks Government is offering a set of initiatives to support industry to reach the Victorian renewable energy target of 20 per cent," Mr Reekie said.

"Compare that with the Liberal Party, which is scrapping VRET and still questioning whether climate change is a reality." The Portland wind industry and the State Government slammed the Liberals' plan last week, claiming hundreds of wind energy positions would be lost and major projects cancelled.

Keppel Prince general manager Stephen Garner warned his 450 staff that an elected Liberal government would "effectively kill the wind industry in this town". Pacific Hydro said it would scrap its Portland wind project if the Opposition won.

Liberal member Denis Napthine said last week that VRET's abolition wouldn't affect major south-west wind farms because they had been proposed well before the introduction of the scheme this year. He said he supported the introduction of a national scheme.