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Energy and Climate Change
Climate change is the greatest challenge facing New South Wales.
Human activities like driving motor cars and burning coal to produce electricity are threatening our health, food supply and security. Greenhouse gas emissions are changing the climate in ways that will spiral increasingly out of control.
Australians are the highest per capita producers of greenhouse gas emissions in the world and the biggest exporters of coal.
The Greens are committed to a rapid transformation of NSW’s energy industry to low emission renewable energy options such as solar and wind power, energy efficiency and conservation measures. The transition away from coal will incur some costs that must be equitably shared but the change will create economic opportunities and large scale employment growth.
For more information:
- Read 2 Degrees to Midnight: NSW Greens MPs' Guide to Climate Change Action (2Mb PDF)
- See The Greens NSW Climate Change and Energy Policy.
- See The Greens NSW No New Coal Homepage.
Take Action!
Campaigns
John is campaigning in the following key areas of energy policy:
- Phasing out fossil fuels like coal (including issues of 'baseload' power)
- calling for a gross feed-in tariff
- Promoting Renewable Energy
- Promoting Energy Efficiency
- Saying a very clear 'NO' to nuclear power
- Setting mandatory targets for reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
Latest News:
Power need forecasts kick hole in case for sell-off and new stations
The annual forecast of electricity supply and demand issued by the Australian Energy Market Operator shows yet again that NSW does not need new coal-fired power stations or privatisation to keep the lights on, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. ('Southern states better off than Queensland in power forecast', SMH Business Day 1 September p.3, http://bit.ly/smh100901)
NSW Labor should get out of the way of pokies reform
The Keneally government's determination to stop sensible moves to reduce the harm inflicted by poker machines is yet another demonstration of their addiction to tax revenue from gambling and their inability to stand up to the bullying of the pubs and clubs lobby, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
NSW govt pushes ahead with new coal power without climate study
The Keneally government has failed to analyse the climate impacts of two new coal-fired power stations despite granting planning approval for them, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Keneally selling out households with power fire sale in China
Premier Kristina Keneally's trip to China is a desperate attempt to sell the state's electricity assets at bargain basement prices, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Wind farms get clean bill of health
Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) today cleared wind farms of accusations of health impacts on nearby residents, according to Greens NSW MP and Energy spokesperson John Kaye.
Baseload power needs myth goes critical
Land and Environment Court documents show that the Keneally government continues to rely on the dangerous and false myth that blackouts and brownouts will occur unless there is an increase in the state's baseload generating capacity.
Energy efficiency study highlights failed power policies
A study by the Energy Efficiency Council to be released today will highlight the urgent need to drop plans for new coal-fired power stations, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Treasurer fails to deny $7.6 billion lost if power sell off goes ahead
NSW Treasurer Eric Roozendaal refused to deny claims that keeping the state's electricity assets in public hands would be worth at least $7.6 billion to the budget bottom line over the next four years, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
Environment and climate an afterthought in Keneally's first budget
Greens NSW MP and Treasury spokesperson John Kaye said: "The budget persists with the ‘clean coal’ myth while starving renewable energy of the funds the industry needs to break through.
Sydney’s desalination plant set up for privatisation
Moves to give Sydney’s desalination plant its own retail licence are the first step towards privatisation of the plant, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. (‘Privatisation of desalination plant back on the agenda,’ SMH Business Day, 3 June 2010, p5, http://bit.ly/smh100603)
