Monday July 12, 2010

The Alternative Technology Association (ATA), Australia’s largest not-for-profit organisation promoting sustainable technology and practice, today welcomed the reported move by the Victorian Government to replace one quarter of Victoria’s most carbon intensive power station by 2014.

“This is an important step, and a first for the Victorian Government”, ATA’s Chief Executive Officer Ian Porter said.

“The important message here is that this government is starting to look at ways to move away from large scale emissions intensive power generation.

Other state governments could well take a lead from this move, and look at energy efficiency and renewable energy to replace coal and, longer term, gas.”

The ATA notes that this is very much a first step, however. If the reports in the media are correct, the Victorian Government sees this step being followed by eventual retirement of the rest of Hazelwood under a later national carbon price.

“Now we need to see a plan for the full retirement of Hazelwood”, ATA’s Energy Policy Manager Damien Moyse added.

“The State and Federal Governments need to work jointly to provide the community with certainty around the timing of future closure. This an opportunity for the Prime Minister and the Victorian Premier to show real leadership and vision.”

“The challenge we face – replacing a massive, polluting electricity generation system, is immense. But we have a wide range of technologies which can do this.” CEO Ian Porter said.

“ From retrofitting our homes and offices to reduce demand while increasing comfort, through small scale and community renewable energy, up to large scale wind, solar and geothermal generation, we need to accept that our future electricity grid will look very different.”

For interviews and images:

Ian Porter, Chief Executive Officer, Alternative Technology Association, (03) 0412 254 200 or 9631 5404
Damien Moyse, Energy Policy Manager, Alternative Technology Association, (03) 0439 900 692 or 9631 5417