2021-06-17
The Victorian Greens have said the state government’s decision to announce a state energy emergency is yet more evidence that coal is unreliable and that we need to move to more distributed renewable forms of energy.
The emergency was announced in response to recent flooding at Yallourn power station.
Coal remains the biggest cause of climate change in Victoria, and still accounts for roughly 70 per cent of our state’s energy.
Yet for too long, the state and federal governments have taken a backseat on coal, and refused to come up with a planned transition away from coal that supports the Latrobe Valley community and jobs.
Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell, said that due to government inaction, a natural disaster has meant we’re in an emergency and the Morwell River would now need to be urgently diverted to save the coal mine.
Sandell added that a Victorian government serious about climate change would be planning to replace all coal power in Victoria by 2030.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell MP:
“If the government needed any more evidence that coal is unreliable and we need to urgently transition towards more distributed, renewable energy, here it is.
“What a disaster. Coal is totally unreliable, and on its last legs, but both Labor and Liberals refuse to see it.
“It's time governments stopped propping up coal, and came up with a plan to end our addiction to it and support jobs and communities in the transition."