At the AYCC we believe in positive political engagement – both holding politicians accountable and encouraging them when they do the right thing. Read our letter below from AYCC National Director Amanda McKenzie to Penny Wong congratulating her on passing the enhanced Renewable Energy Target and Building Energy Efficiency legislation.
June 28, 2010
Dear Senator the Hon Penny Wong, Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water,
We congratulate you on the passage of the enhanced Renewable Energy Target and Building Energy Efficiency legislation through the Parliament.
We agree with you when you say that these pieces of legislation are important milestones for our country as we move to a clean energy future and we support you in taking these measures. We believe that the passage of this legislation shows your government’s commitment to restructuring the Australian economy towards a low carbon future
It shows that your government has recognised the depth of community support for strong action on climate change and has responded with positive policy change. We congratulate you on this.
We believe the steps taken to split the legislation in two to provide for both large and small scale renewable energy uptake will have positive impacts on infrastructure investment and investor certainty. The AYCC supports the amended RET legislation as a positive step that will enhance the uptake of renewable energy in Australia, and begin our transition to a clean energy economy.
We also believe that by allowing no cap on the uptake of SRES credits, the legislation will provide positive incentives for individuals and communities who need to feel that their uptake of small scale renewable energy will provide a positive (reductive) contribution to Australia’s overall emissions profile. We commend this aspect of the legislation.
AYCC also welcomes the passage the Building Energy Efficiency Disclosure Bill as an effective means of ensuring energy efficiency information is provided to the property market. We agree with your statement that a better informed market will drive sustainable choices in offices and the commercial building sector.
The AYCC recognises that the provision for including a Solar Credits Multiplier may dampen the impact of small scale uptake of renewable energy. We do not support this aspect of the legislation. We believe that the multiplying effect on the credits will act to undermine the integrity of the 20% target. We would support a biannual review to address any dampening effects further to the 2012 review provided for in the legislation.
The AYCC supports strong renewable energy targets and increased government investment in renewable energy infrastructure to support our transition to the clean energy economy. We believe that an enhanced renewable energy sector will provide our economy with green jobs for the future, and allow an easier pathway to achieving cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
Congratulations again on the passage of the legislation.
Yours Sincerely,
Amanda McKenzie
National Director – the AYCC
