Climate change is one of the biggest challenges the world faces and even Dubbo has its role to play if we are going to reduce greenhouse gas creation.
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Renewable energy has risen to prominence in recent years and soon, Western NSW will have its first large-scale solar plant at Nyngan and wind farms are becoming a prominent fixture on the landscape.
Today the four candidates for the Dubbo electorate have their say on renewable energy. The Daily Liberal asked the candidates if Dubbo is doing enough to capitalise on opportunities for renewable energy and what they would do to ensure Dubbo leads the way in the use of renewable energy.
While Dubbo has one of the highest uptakes of solar in the state, I believe there is plenty of room for more.
The renewable industry technology is increasing at a great rate and becoming more affordable by the day. I would encourage greater uptake of renewables (such as solar/wind/ geothermal/biogas or combos) with incentives and low-interest loans for those able to use renewables, or those simply wishing to generate energy for the community.
Those supplying energy to the grid need to be better rewarded. This would not only make industry and living more affordable, but also bring employment opportunities to the area.
The share of renewable energy in NSW's electricity generation mix has nearly doubled in the past five years.
The Nationals in government are committed to a secure, reliable, affordable and clean energy future for households and business at Dubbo and across NSW. We will support the growth of the renewable energy sector in NSW.
The NSW Renewable Energy plan released in September 2013 supported a national target of 20 per cent renewable energy by 2020.
Almost 13 per cent of our energy generation came from renewable sources in 2013.
In coming years renewable technology, and in particular solar, will continue to develop with storage batteries systems enabling people to store the solar energy they generate through the day for use at peak times and during the night.
Renewables are definitely the future and Dubbo needs to be at the forefront.
The responsible transition to renewables is dependent on a combination of legislation, policy and funding from various levels of government as well as the driving force of the private sector.
If elected I will be across the issues and provide political support and pressure to make sure Dubbo takes advantage of all opportunities to be part of this important economic transition.
Labor as a party is committed to expanding the Renewable Energy Target to ensure that 20 per cent of Australia's electricity comes from renewable resources by 2020.
Our new leader Luke Foley emphasised this again in Parliament in September 2014.
I am extremely concerned about climate change. I am also concerned about the destruction of prime agricultural land across the state if the coal seam gas industry expands. Labor has sensible policies on renewables and is trying to balance jobs with protecting farm land and the environment. We are a party serious about real solutions.
Renewable energy - Yes we can !!!!!
The Greens have a fully-costed plan to transition NSW to 100 per cent renewable energy, based on large-scale wind, solar PV and solar thermal generation.
About 70 per cent of the electricity in NSW comes from burning coal. Coal fired electricity is a significant contributor to global warming.
We can maintain our modern society, move away from coal, and get jobs in the process.
Moving to renewable energy is called "the Great Transition", it's the latest phase of the Industrial Revolution.
Three hundred jobs to build the Nyngan solar farm is just the start.
The Lake Cargelligo solar plant can make electricity at midnight.
We have land, we have sun.
We can export electricity to Sydney and Melbourne - they use it every day.
We are proposing a public sector Energy Service Agency to provide financial support and technical advice to households and small businesses.
The ESA would finance rooftop solar, energy efficiency retrofits and energy trading technology to turn households and small business into sellers in the energy market, not just consumers.
The NSW Greens plan is available at nsw.greens.org.au/energy, and I would urge everyone interested to look at it. Or call me on 0473 202 883 to discuss it.
