Opinion; Rob L.
The issue is an old hobby horse of mine - GreenPower.
Essentially it’s this:
- Green Power, i.e. domestic electricity supply derived 100% from renewable generation sources, can be bought by the members of Ashfield Greens.
- I buy mine from Energy Australia and have done so for the past 3 years.
- There are no contracts involved - I’ve checked again with Energy Australia - they are adamant that all a consumer has to do is call them up and they’ll put you on GreenPower, the 100% option. Call 13 15 35 - it’s that easy!
- That option costs me an extra 5.45c/kWh - roughly 30% more than the standard domestic rate.
- The GreenPower scheme is available down the east coast and is administered by the NSW Govt regardless of the energy retailer you select.
- All retailers are audited by companies like the one I currently work for to ensure that, overall, the consumers actually get electricity from renewable sources.
- Currently the major source of renewable energy is hydroelectric.
- The Rudd government has mandated a 20% renewable target by 2020.
- We can all help to achieve that target by shelling out just a little bit more and buying the 100% Green Power option.
- There’s a double incentive there; if we are paying more we are more likely to reduce consumption
- This way we are using the market against itself; we create demand they have to meet because of Rudd’s target and in doing so, by indirectly increasing supply, we help to reduce the cost per kWh AND
- We help to boost the likelihood of greater investment in solar, wind, geothermal etc, and;
- The City of Sydney Council is on 100% GreenPower. Why can’t we push harder to up the percentage GreenPower that Ashfield Council buys - not just to 3 of its buildings but to all its facilities?
My feeling is that Greens party members have a moral duty to buy Renewable Energy! This is a chance to put our money where our mouths are. If we are really committed to solving history’s greatest and most urgent environmental problem, don’t just make noises, put your hand in your pocket!