THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Cabinet Secretary
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Parliamentary Secretary for Industry and Innovation
MEDIA RELEASE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT LANDFILL A CHANCE TO CUT POLLUTION AND EARN
CARBON CREDITS - ALGA FORUM TO CLEAR UP COUNCIL QUESTIONS
The Australian Government will join forces with the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) today to address questions from local government across Australia about cutting pollution and earning carbon credits when the carbon price on large landfills comes into effect in July.
Speaking at the national ALGA forum in Canberra today, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus urged councils to do their own sums and not take at face value potentially misleading claims about high carbon price impacts.
"Some councils appear to be significantly overestimating the impact of the carbon price on landfill, when the vast majority of landfill sites will not be subject to a carbon price at all," he said.
"I am pleased to announce a new initiative today with Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency partnering with ALGA and the Clean Energy Regulator to run a series of support sessions - including face to face forums and webinars - to assist councils in working through the necessary steps to factor the carbon price and carbon credit opportunities into their waste disposal services.
"Only larger landfill facilities, with emissions over 25,000 tonnes a year, are liable to pay the carbon price, and only on waste disposed after July 1, 2012. Emissions can be cut by up to 75% using gas capture technology which will help some landfills drop back below the 25,000 tonne threshold. Landfill gas can be used to create electricity to power council or other nearby buildings.
"There is also an opportunity to make money under the carbon price scheme. A carbon credit can be earned for every tonne of pollution cut or avoided from landfill, and these can be sold on carbon markets generating extra income for councils or landfill operators," said Mr Dreyfus.
"Councils should also be aware that they can apply for an energy efficiency grant to help council and community buildings save energy and thousands of dollars through more efficient heating, cooling and lighting, under the Government's Low Carbon Communities program," said Mr Dreyfus.
More information available at http://www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au/ and the Regulator's website http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/.
MONDAY, 23 APRIL 2012
