Pass or Fail? Owen Electricity Report Under Spotlight

Tuesday, 11 September 2007 01:55

“The real test for the Owen Report is whether it recommends a move towards a more diverse, more efficient and less polluting electricity supply,” said Jane Castle, TEC’s Energy Campaigner.  “Unless it rules out new polluting coal-fired power in favour of renewable energy and energy efficiency, it should be dumped as another short sighted failure to tackle climate change.”

The Environmental Scorecard for the Owen Report will rank the Report on the key areas of:

* A modern, green energy system

* Attractive investment climate for energy efficiency, low emission generation and renewable energy

* Fairness, efficiency and protection for consumers

* Regional development and jobs in new clean industries

* Innovation in the energy sector

* Reducing greenhouse emissions

“NSW has ample renewable energy and energy efficiency resources to make electricity cheaper and cleaner for its citizens.  Anything less than a recommendation for the full-scale harnessing of these will make the Owen Report just the latest in a line of business-as-usual failures in intelligent policy making.”