Friends of the Earth welcome Premier Andrews delivering on the election promise to ‘rip up’ the worst aspects of the Coalition government’s anti-wind farm laws.

                                              The Capital Wind Farm near Lake George (the one Treasurer Joe Hockey finds ‘offensive’)

Bob Massie is the outgoing President and CEO of the New Economy Coalition, whose mission is to support a just transition to a new economy that enables both thriving communities and ecological health. He has degrees from Princeton and Yale and a doctorate in business policy from Harvard University. In 2011, he was a candidate for the US Senate. He was the keynote speaker in a recent Australian tour organised by 350.org Australia and Earthworker Cooperative – “Just Transitions” – discussing the development of new economies that better support people and the planet. Massie advocates for the transition to a clean energy economy to include people currently working in the fossil fuel industry.

Corporate giants like Apple, have been heavily investing in renewable energy projects. This is now not only seen to be a financially sound move, but a major public relations activity. 

Three wind farm’s will supply the ACT with 200 megawatts of renewable energy generation capacity, with a reduction of 580,000 tonnes of emissions each year. This is a serious emissions reduction effort from the ACT Government with broader economic benefits. 

The 2015 Super Bowl host stadium will be powered by 100% wind energy, and is not the only stadium in the US making an example of utilising renewables. A number of sports stadiums in Australia could also utilise the technology and demonstrate a commitment to clean energy supply.

Originally a letter published in the Sentinel Times. It can be found here.

The UK and Germany have seen new heights in their domestic wind energy production. This growth, and continuing growth is strongly related to policy and regulatory decisions. If Australia followed suit with sensible energy policy, we could enjoy the same transition in the coming years. 

Victoria’s renewable energy sector is on the ropes.

The Governor of California Jerry Brown has announced that the state will continue to be a leader in renewables, with a pledge to derive a full 50 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. A similar pledge would help Victoria get back on track to support renewables.