It's the quiet energy revolution happening in backyards across the country: around four million Australians now have solar panels and solar hot water systems powering their homes and businesses. In fact, Australians put more household solar panel systems on their roofs last year than anyone else in the world.[1]
Not surprisingly, fossil fuel-reliant energy companies, many of whom directly own coal and coal-seam gas plants, are starting to feel a threat to their profit margins - so much so that they're doing everything they can to convince the government to downgrade Australia's Renewable Energy Target (RET), the policy requiring that a set percentage of electricity come from renewable sources.
Don't let them stand in the way of our clean energy future. The Climate Change Authority has granted GetUp members an extended deadline of 5pm on Monday - will you write a quick submission to the CCA to protect renewable energy from fossil fuel industry lobbying?
http://www.getup.org.au/protect-the-ret
Big players Origin and TRUenergy are going after the RET because they say we're already on track to meet the current target of 20% of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. That's because consumers have taken up small scale solar in record numbers, and are diligently using less power overall. This is great news, but it's not a reason to halt progress or lower our already modest standards. Unlike fossil fuel companies looking to the bottom line, we're here to make sure all of us come out on top. The RET is a powerful step on our path to solving the climate crisis and powering our future in a responsible and sustainable way.
The evidence shows Australians love renewables. And why shouldn't we? We have an enviable abundance of sun and wind at our fingertips. We should be the Saudi Arabia of renewable energy. Instead we're still defending modest targets from the fossil fuel suppliers, while countries like Scotland and Germany race ahead.
Our targets and ambition can be bolder and more forward-looking. South Australia already gets about a quarter of its power from wind farms. Two weeks ago strong winds saw SA actually exporting wind power to Victoria, while emissions from the state's power sector have dropped 27% over the last five years. Experts say there's no reason other states can't replicate their success.[2]Let's build on this momentum. Just because coal and coal seam gas suppliers want to protect their monopoly on power doesn't mean we have to let them win.
Listening to Origin and TRUenergy about whether we should maintain a strong renewables target is a bit like asking big tobacco how they feel about plain packaging, or asking Apple to regulate the market for iPads. It's absurd.
You don't have to be an expert on the technicalities of energy policy to stand up for renewables and have your say. This is our future, and going backwards on renewables is not an option:
http://www.getup.org.au/protect-the-ret
Thanks for speaking out,
Erin, for the GetUp team
PS - Big network owners have been caught out "gold-plating" - heavily investing in huge and unnecessary upgrades - so that even as we're using less power, we're paying more. [3] This is the single biggest contributor to consumers' soaring energy bills, yet now old industry is crying crocodile tears that we can't possibly afford renewable energy. Don't let them get away with it: http://www.getup.org.au/protect-the-ret
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[1] 'Australians lead in fitting solar panels on homes', The Sydney Morning Herald, August 18, 2012.
[2] 'Stiff winds power South Australia', ABC AM, Friday, September 7, 2012.
[3] 'Gold-plating' of electric assets to end,' The Sydney Morning Herald, August 23, 2012.