ELECTRIC COWBOYS BLOCK ENERGY REFORM
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 21:37
A dramatic change of ministerial powers must take place, and COAG must ensure the Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE) and the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) refer all decisions about the energy market to the Environment Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) and the Ministry for Climate Change and Water.
The call from TEC follows the release of a new report by respected energy consultants, McLennan Magasanik Associates (MMA).
“Martin Ferguson and his state colleagues are wrecking Australia’s climate change policies by bolstering a system that blocks energy efficiency and renewable energy. They must be pulled into line,” said Jane Castle, Senior Campaigner at TEC.
Emissions from Australia’s energy sector are projected to grow by 64% to 106% by 2020. This is compared to a national reduction target of 5% to 25%. The report shows that even with emissions trading, other market failures block the entry of renewable and low emission generators; there are stark conflicts between the objectives of the National Electricity Market (NEM) and climate change policy goals; environmental impacts are not being effectively integrated into energy sector decision making.
