2024-06-27
The ACT Legislative Assembly today passed a motion expressing a commitment to powering Australia with 100% renewable energy as soon as possible, and to ensure the ACT remains free of nuclear power and nuclear waste.
The motion highlighted that wind and solar are the cheapest forms of new electricity generation in Australia, and that the most cost effective and efficient way to cut emissions and provide reliable and affordable electricity in Australia is by delivering renewable energy with storage.
The motion made clear that the ACT Government does not support the use of nuclear power generation in Australia and would strongly oppose any plans to introduce nuclear power generation.
It also noted that modular nuclear reactors were identified by the 2023-24 CSIRO GenCost report as the most expensive option for new electricity generation in Australia, while solar and wind were the least expensive. Further, that nuclear power generation is slow to build and would not be built in time to help achieve Australia’s net zero emissions by 2050 target.
Quotes attributable to Shane Rattenbury, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
“Let’s not be fooled; Mr Dutton’s nuclear power ‘plan’ is really just another distraction designed to delay our transition away from fossil fuels.
There is clearly no role for nuclear power in Australia. With our solar and wind resources, it makes far more sense to power our country with cheap, reliable renewables rather than expensive and polluting fossil fuels or nuclear power.
Building nuclear power in Australia would be financially irresponsible and would push up power prices for all Australians, while creating toxic waste and polluting ecosystems for generations to come.
In the ACT we are getting on with the job of transitioning to a zero emissions energy system. The ACT is powered by 100% renewable electricity, we have banned new gas connections and we have committed to phasing out gas use by 2045.
We face a climate emergency and we don’t have time to waste. I want to see Australia ramp up efforts to transition to 100% renewable energy as soon as possible, not waste more time pursuing unrealistic and unworkable thought bubbles like Mr Dutton’s nuclear plan.”