Owen Inquiry only half an answer

Wednesday, 12 September 2007 01:19

The Centre also released a report card on the Inquiry, giving it low scores on all counts.

NSW needs to sober up about electricity consumption and reject attempts to inject hysteria about the lights going out, into the debate about future electricity needs,” said Jeff Angel, Director of Total Environment Centre.

The Owen report underestimates the contributions that can be made by renewable energy and energy efficiency.  Owen makes the basic mistake of accepting current projections by Transgrid which do not include future energy conservation programs.  A well funded and strategic energy efficiency program could replace the need for an existing power station and defer the need for another, until greener alternatives are available.”

The Iemma Government should develop an energy efficiency plan for NSW first; and provide adequate funds and regulatory support.  Only with such a program can we objectively look at new power station needs.”

The report card criteria will also be applied to the NSW Government’s response.

Environmental Scorecard on the Owen Report into Electricity in NSW