The ATA and EV and their members support a strong climate response involving the short and medium term deployment of renewable energy technologies at all scales across the country. Our members are actively engaged in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors, investing in both small scale embedded generation and water heating technologies along with remote stand alone systems as well as large scale renewable energy projects through GreenPower.

We note the intention of the three discussion papers to limit responses to the specific RET issues and questions outlined. However, the discussion papers fail to take into consideration the current market distortions that are undoubtedly the most significant risk to the scheme’s future success. We therefore provide a broad analysis of current RET issues, along with a more detailed response on the issue of the replacement of the RRPGP program.
Without scheme adjustments, current distortions will only further compromise the RET should the inclusion of additional small scale on and off-grid technologies occur. Notwithstanding a minor recovery in line with the expanded RET legislation being passed in late August, the REC price has seen a continual and rapid deflation over the past six months.

ATA EV Submission to Specific RET Issues – Final 301009

Features of issue 9 include:
* Size matters! 40 pages of inspiring smaller homes
* Green rebates guide. Govt money for solar power, hot water and more
* Sustainable prefabs. Quality designs that cut no corners
Only $9.95 plus postage (Australia only). Buy or subscribe here.

When: Sunday, 22 November
Time: 2pm – 5pm
Where: Kowhawhero Hall, Woodcocks Road, Warkworth
RSVP: Email David Crabb on davecrabb@xtra.co.nz

The theme of this meeting is resilience and will feature two presenters. There will also be discussion about how to get the group structured to go forward.

Steve Goldthorpe, an energy analyst, will talk on the [...]

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Renewable Energy Sub-Group is conducting a review of specific issues associated with the recently expanded Renewable Energy Target (RET).
Specifically, the COAG Sub-Group is keen to consider:

The treatment of heat pump technology under the existing RET and whether the calculation of RECs associated with system size and output are [...]

The federal government and opposition are currently attempting to find agreement over the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) after the opposition blocked the Bill in the Senate in August.

In line with our Make your Climate Action Count campaign, ATA, along with a host of other environment and consumer organisations, are putting together a petition [...]

When: Thursday 22 October
Time: 7.15pm for 7.30pm start
Where: Albion Peace Centre, 102 MacDonald Rd, Albion (underneath Albion Overpass; UBD 140 Ref. D14)
Cost: $3, to help cover venue hire costs

The topic of this meeting will be: Skylights and Green Loan Home Assessment Highlights

Skylights – John Collins from Brisbane Skylights will provide an overview of skylights [...]

A campaign to fix a serious flaw in the federal government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme was launched by a coalition of environment, consumer and energy groups today.

The groups voiced serious concern about the scheme which currently does not recognise the emissions reductions individuals achieve by taking actions such as buying Greenpower or installing solar hot water systems.

When: Tuesday 13th October
Time: 6.30pm (Note the early start time for this meeting only).
Where: Enfield Community Centre, 540 Regency Road, Enfield.
Entry fee: Gold coin donation to assist with hall hire.

Read the minutes from the September meeting here and the agenda for the October meeting here.
Program
This meeting is the Designers’ Forum in which our panel of [...]

The Alternative Technology Association (ATA), Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation working to support Australian households to live more sustainably, has appointed Ian Porter as its new Chief Executive Officer.

ATA president, Kane Thornton, says Ian Porter brings exceptional qualifications and many years experience in management and leadership in the environmental arena.

When: Saturday, 3 October
Time: 1pm to 2pm
Where: Hawkesbury Earthcare Centre, Cnr Science Rd & Campus Drive, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury Campus, Richmond, NSW. Please enter the campus from the Londonderry Rd entrance. A map is available at www.earthcare.org.au/contact-us
RSVP: Bookings essential. Contact Ray Kennedy rayken@optusnet.com.au or Marianne McMillan on ph. (02) 4731 1114.
Julia McKay, Secretary [...]