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John Kaye, Greens MP

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Dear Premier

Re: Please reject electricity privatisation and new coal-fired power stations

Coal-fired power stations and electricity retailers are important state owned assets. They should be kept in public hands and managed in the public interest, so that future generations can enjoy the profits they produce and manage their environmental impact.

History shows the disastrous consequences that can arise when private companies driven by profit take over essential public services. It is economically, socially and environmentally irresponsible to expose taxpayers to this risk.

If your government is serious about reducing this states greenhouse gas emissions to a sustainable level, it has to accept that the electricity industry will need to undergo substantial change to manage consumer needs and increase the use of renewable energy. Only public ownership allows this to happen at a reasonable cost. We cannot pretend that privately owned utilities will encourage lower electricity use if this will lower their profits, even if it is good for the environment.

A new coal-fired power station would massively increasing the state's greenhouse gas emissions. A new plant would expensive and unnecessary.

The simple fact is that we do not need a new baseload power plant. Energy efficiency measures such as improved home insulation and renewable energy options like solar water heating will go a long way to reducing our baseload energy needs. Many of these ideas have been picked up as Federal Labor commitments. NSW should build on these opportunities to better manage our energy needs.

I urge you to reject both privatisation and new baseload plant and to start work on transforming the electricity industry.

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Authorised by John Kaye, Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney