MEDIA RELEASE: 22 March 2018
Big batteries in Ballarat, Kerang to help Vic meet climate & energy goals: Will the opposition back smart energy investments?
Victoria has entered the energy storage race with an announcement that the Andrews government will build large-scale batteries in Ballarat and Kerang. But will the Matthew Guy opposition back smart energy investments?
Friends of the Earth welcomes the announcement and says big batteries in Ballarat and Kerang will help Victoria meet climate and energy targets.
"The Turnbull government's do-nothing approach to climate change means we need to see more leadership from Victoria, and that's what we're seeing with this announcement from the Andrews Labor government" said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth's climate change spokesperson.
"Building batteries in Ballarat and Kerang will strengthen Victoria's energy system while helping the state meet legislated targets of 40 percent renewable energy by 2025 and zero emissions by 2050."
Energy policy is a point of difference between the Daniel Andrews government and Matthew Guy opposition as Victoria heads to a state election in eight months time.
"Liberal leader Matthew Guy has made an unpopular pledge to scrap the Victorian Renewable Energy Target, but does he support state government investment in large-scale energy storage?," asked Pat Simons, Friends of the Earth's renewable energy spokesperson.
"Time is running out for Matthew Guy to walk away from his pledge to scrap the Victorian Renewable Energy Target and back the state's emerging cleantech businesses that now employ thousands of people."
While the Matthew Guy opposition's position on energy policy is clear, it does not yet have a climate change policy.
"The community expects all political parties to publicly release a climate policy well before polling day," added Leigh Ewbank.
"With a focus on law and order, the Matthew Guy opposition can easily commit to uphold the state's climate change laws (the Climate Change Act 2017) in their current form."
Friends of the Earth is working with community members across Victoria to make the case for strong climate change and renewable energy policies.
TAKE ACTION:
- Call on Matthew Guy to back the Victorian Renewable Energy Target.
- Call for the Liberal and National party to uphold state climate change laws.