Janelle Saffin Supports Carbon Price Revenue Going to Renewable Energy and
After meeting with Janelle Saffin and having some further talks, local environment groups have received Janelle's public support for 20% of carbon price revenue going to renewable energy as long as it didn't adversely affect disadvantaged households..
Tom Driftwood from the Lismore Climate Action Group said “We congratulate our local member Janelle Saffin for listening to her electorate and publicly supporting renewable energy”.
“If this amount of revenue comes out of the current negotiations, we can look forward to seeing more jobs, cleaner air and water, more protection for our farmland, and a safer climate.”
He went on to say that “This will make a significant start at building renewable energy generators at the small, medium and large scale around Australia so that our energy needs are met with clean, safe and sustainable technologies as polluting technologies get phased out.”
“We are really happy to have Janelle come on side with this and we know that besides providing clean, safe energy to replace the polluting coal and gas generators, investing in renewable energy will create many more jobs especially in regional Australia and a secure future for ordinary Australians.” said Tony Gleeson from Ballina Climate Action Network.
Tom noted that on its own, a carbon price will not see investment in renewable energy but directing 20% or more of the revenue it raises to renewable energy will be a good start in seeing clean, safe renewable energy generators built.
He said to achieve large scale investment in renewable energy, more directly supportive policies are needed such as a national feed in tariff or a green bank giving loan guarantees - two proven mechanisms for getting large amounts of renewable energy on the ground.
Tom and Tony had recently met with Janelle, presenting her with their current tally of community surveys on renewable energy as part of the 100% Renewable Campaign. Janelle was very supportive of renewable energy, putting a '100% Renewable' poster up in her office window; agreeing to publicly support Australia developing a plan to move to 100% renewable energy; and agreeing to publicly support long term, consistent and transparent support of renewable energy that leads to renewable energy projects at the small, medium and large scale being built all over Australia. After further discussion, Janelle agreed to publicly support carbon price revenue going to renewable energy as long as it didn't adversely affect disadvantaged households.
Tom said that “With local environment groups having completed nearly 2000 surveys of local people, we found that over 90% of the survey respondents said the government was not doing enough to support renewable energy and over 90% wanted a carbon pollution price.”
”This means that Janelle giving specific support to renewable energy receiving at least 20% of carbon price revenue is a big lift for all those respondents who support renewable energy. Many are worried that the government will cave in to pressure from polluters and give them the revenue instead of renewable energy. If that happens, it will reduce the effectiveness of the carbon price in its stated aim of reducing carbon pollution.” said Tony.
”It's a bit silly and contradictory to take money away from polluters and then give it back with the same rule.” said Tom.
He added, “The negotiations around the carbon price are at a critical stage at the moment, so if you want to help ensure that renewable energy gets a fair go from the carbon price, call and email the members of the Multi Party Committee on Climate Change. Remember to give your name and suburb so they know which electorate you come from. For their contact details, see http://100percent.org.au/content/make-call-renewable-energy.
Please thank Janelle for her strong support of renewable energy, you can call her on 66219909, email her on Janelle [dot] Saffin [dot] MP
aph [dot] gov [dot] au or tweet at @JanelleSaffin.
