In Australia, the burning of coal to generate electricity is the biggest single source of greenhouse gas emissions. This means we need to stop building coal-fired power stations, and start phasing out the ones that already exist over the next 30 years.
But the NSW State Government has other plans - plans to build two new coal-fired power stations in fact. Bayswater B in the Hunter Valley and Mt Piper B near Lithgow. If these are built, emissions will increase by 15% in NSW. Even if they are gas-powered, emissions will increase by 7%.
We can't let this happen!
The NSW Government's own targets are to reduce emissions by 60% by 2050. How will we reach those targets, let alone the targets recommended by climate scientists of 40% by 2020 and 90-95% by 2050, unless we stop building coal-fired stations and invest in a renewable future?
A report from the Institute of Sustainable Futures found that if NSW invested in energy efficiency measures and distributed energy instead of building these two new coal-fired power stations, we could actually save $2.5-4 billion over the next decade.
This scenario is not only cheaper for everyone, but it creates jobs in the renewables industry, and best of all it allows us to reduce our emissions.
CAN has met with Minister for the Hunter and local MP Jodi McKay to urge
her to support a ban on new coal-fired power stations.
If you want to get involved in this campaign you can help out by ringing, or sending an email or letter to your local state member, NSW Ministers and Premier Keneally to tell them that you support a ban on new-coal fired power stations.
NSW Cabinet will be discussing placing a ban on new coal-fired stations in the near future, so every phone call and letter counts right now!
It's time to make arrangements to get your home's solar PV system ready for the gross feed in tariff.
Under the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme, only customers with gross metering arrangements are eligible for the 60 cent/kwH (noting that some energy retailers are offering 66c / kwH) gross feed-in tariff after the transition period expires on the 1st of July.
We suggest householders with existing solar PV systems and net meters organise this gross meter for their home in coming weeks, as there is likely to be further delays in the installation of these meters, and you never know when the scheme will reach its limit of 'subscribers'.
The meter is free, but residents must arrange and pay for the electrician to install the meter.
The first step is to get a qualified electrician on board who will inspect your meter box, put a purchase order in for the right meter with Energy Australia, and do the installation. They should also look after all the required paperwork. So check they will do all of this when you're seeking quotes for your home.
Gross meters must be installed by an accredited level 2 service provider (electrician). The Department of Fair Trading (DFT) provides this list of level 2, category 4 accredited service providers (electricians). http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/pdfs/Consumers/ASP_list_level2.pdf. You can also call the DFT on 02 9895 0008(if you don"t want to trawl through the 55 pages of electricians listed by suburb).
A range of websites suggest that the installation should cost somewhere in the range of $200 - $400 (incl gst) if the meter box is close to the solar power inverter. (Although no CAN people have heard of anyone securing a $200 quote to date!). Additional costs may arise if the meter box is located further away.
Newcastle's Going Solar is Australia's largest community based bulk purchase of photovoltaic (electric) solar systems.
Newcastle's Going Solar Project- Now Closed
Over 550kW (1/2 a Megawatt) of installed Renewable Energy Capacity.
An enormously successful project in the community, we have been able to provide supporters in the Newcastle/Hunter area with affordable Solar Photovoltaic systems for their home. Our project effectively halved the end price for a 1kW system for people in the Hunter, and has resulted in a significant increase in the installed capacity of distributed renewable energy. As of April '09 CAN's project is equivalent to approximately 10% of total grid-connected Solar PV installations in NSW under the Federal Government's Solar Homes & Communities Plan. Given that this project has been designed & implemented by entirely volunteer efforts, it is a credit to Climate Action Newcastle.
Sydney Energy Cooperative
Sydney Energy were our successful Round 1 & 3 suppliers. If you wish to participate in the Newcastle's Going Solar forums follow this link - http://www.energycoop.com.au/content/forum
Our politicians are showing the shallowness of their policies by scrambling for cheap points over petrol prices that they all know they cannot control.
If they go weak at the knees over a few cents at the bowser how are they ever going to implement a carbon price?
Climate groups across the country have come together to form the Climate Protection Bill. We sent postcards supporting the Bill to Canberra in September.
The Bill comprehensively addresses the causes of Australia’s spiralling greenhouse gas emissions, and proposes workable solutions to stem these emissions, protecting the future for our children, the world's most vulnerable communities and our fragile planet.
CAN fully endorses the Climate Protection Bill. It is a powerful tool for community members, unifies the concerns of Australians across the country, and gives each of us a set of demands to take to our politicians.
Because of the support of climate action groups and many other community-based climate groups, the Climate Protection Bill has travelled deep into the halls of Parliament. Tony Windsor (Independent, New England), at the request of his constituents, is currently drafting a version of the Climate Protection Bill into a Private Members' Bill. We anticipate it could be introduced into Federal Parliament for debate in September or October this year.
