Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has told industry today that there is "no excuse" not to embrace renewable energy.
Now he should turn words into action and commit the Government to a goal of at least 50% renewable energy by 2030, according to Solar Citizens.
“We agree - there are no excuses to avoid the exciting renewable energy revolution that is in front of our nation,” Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said.
“The Environment Minister’s efforts to spruik renewable energy are a breath of fresh air and a big change in rhetoric from the attacks on solar power seen under the Abbott Government,” she said.
“Now Minister Hunt should match his words with decisive action and beat the new baseline for renewable energy, which is a realistic goal of at least 50% by 2030.
“Renewable energy can lower power bills for Australian families while creating thousands of jobs and driving innovation.
“Australians want political leadership that can deliver cleaner, cheaper energy from solar that means a safe and healthy future for all of us. They have been promised a new era of support for renewable energy such as solar and want to see tangible action.
“Opportunities to grow jobs and investment were lost during the two-year attack on renewables. Our nation urgently need concrete support and orderly plans from the Government so we can move to a bright future for solar and renewable energy,” she said.
Media contact: Jane Garcia 0434 489 533
Solar Citizens members are meeting with local MPs over coming weeks and asking them to sign a pledge supporting Stand Up For Solar key asks:
1. A strong solar and renewables goal
Australians want to see more solar and renewables, not less. A national goal of at least 50% of our energy generated by renewables by 2030 will help millions of families go solar, create tens of thousands of jobs and ensure billions in investment for our sunny country.
2. A fair go for solar owners
Going solar should be easy but big power companies simply aren’t playing fair. We want to see an end to discriminatory fees for solar owners, a fair feed in tariff for power fed back into the grid and a specialist solar ombudsman to protect consumers’ rights in every state and territory.
3. Helping households with soaring power bills
The only guaranteed way people can take control of spiralling power costs is by installing solar. We want to see a strong national program to support low-income households and renters switch to solar and help with the rising cost of living.
www.standupforsolar.org.au