THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Cabinet Secretary
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
MEDIA RELEASE
Creating a clean energy future for Australia
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus toured the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment today as he outlined the renewable energy measures announced in the Clean Energy Future package.
The Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment is already doing its bit to help Australia transition to a clean energy future through research, education and providing an example of what is possible through the environmentally sustainable renovation of this beautiful and historic building, Mr Dreyfus said.
Scientists advise that the worlds climate is changing and that there will be adverse effects on our nation if the trend of rising temperatures continues. That is why we need to act now.
The Clean Energy Future package will help transform Australia's energy sector by providing significant levels of financial support for innovation in renewable energy and other low-pollution technologies.
The Government has developed a comprehensive plan to assist the energy sector in its transition to a clean energy future.
Around 75 per cent of our electricity is produced by coal-fired power stations, of which 23 per cent is from highly-emissions intensive brown coal, Mr Dreyfus said.
The Government will establish an Energy Security Council to provide advice to the Government on systemic risks to energy security, and possible support measures to address these risks should they arise.
The Government is also establishing an Energy Security Fund that will provide potential payments for the closure of around 2,000 megawatts of very highly emission-intensive coal-fired electricity generation capacity by 2020.
Its absolutely vital to leverage private investor appetite to develop innovative new technologies to help drive our low-carbon economy of the future, Mr Dreyfus said.
The $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) will provide a critical new source of finance to help drive investment in renewable and clean energy technologies.
The Government will reform and improve arrangements for existing Commonwealth funding for renewable energy by consolidating existing measures under a new independent body called the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
All of these measures will help secure a clean energy future for Australia, Mr Dreyfus said.
Further information about the Governments clean energy future and carbon price announcement is available at www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au
FRIDAY, 15 JULY 2011
