The past week has seen a whirl of environmental announcements, from the NSW government’s hokey-pokey on CSG mining, arguments over Australia’s Renewable Energy Target and the US-China deal to reduce their carbon emissions.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
But it would be fair for New England locals to ask what any of the global argy-bargy and policy squabbles in Canberra or Macquarie St have to do with us?
Even while G20 leaders met in Brisbane and argued over 20, or 25, or 30 percent targets –the fact is that Northern Tablelands already has the capacity to lead the world with a 100 per cent renewable energy platform.
The solar farm now underway at Moree will be able to power every residential dwelling in Glen Innes, Inverell and Moree combined. Add another one to power Armidale, plus some extra for growth, and it’s clear that our region is ready to go 100 per cent renewable.
This would have the added benefit of eliminating any need for CSG mining, protecting our farmland and the Artesian Basin from the risks of unconventional gas extraction.
It would also mean energy security for the region in a world of increasingly unstable and uncertain supplies.
So, while we can’t always expect wise government and long-term thinking from Canberra, here in New England we can manage our own energy destiny from a renewable platform right now.
The Greens will be promoting this platform at the NSW 2015 election, as we look forward to an
agriculture-friendly and secure energy future.
Mercurius Goldstein
Greens Candidate Northern Tablelands
Glen Innes
