2017-05-05
The Greens have urgently called on the State Government to implement a transition plan for Collie workers into renewable energy jobs after today’s revelations that Griffin coal has gone into receivership and the Muja AB coal fired power station will close next year.
Greens MLC-elect for the South West Diane Evers visited Collie last month along with Greens Senator for WA Scott Ludlam and Climate Change spokesperson Adam Bandt. The Greens presented their plan to the Collie community for a $6.6 million fund each year to assist families to transition into renewable energy jobs and other diversification.
“The Liberal-National Government displayed no commitment to renewable energy over two terms in power and instead wasted millions of dollars on an obsolete coal plant that has ultimately been shut down ahead of schedule,” she said.
“Now that Griffin coal has gone into receivership, which provides coal to Bluewaters coal fired power station, does that mean those workers will also lose their jobs? Collie deserves better and Labor need to implement a plan for those workers immediately.
“The Greens are the only party in WA that has a complete plan for renewable generation that includes meaningful support for the Collie community to build a strong and diverse economy.”
Greens Senator for WA Scott Ludlam said removing 380MW of fossil fuel powered energy from the grid was in line with the Greens (WA) Energy 2030 report which would attract more renewable energy projects into WA and drive the state towards 100 per cent renewables by 2030.
“Labor took the easy option and walked away from a state-based clean energy target prior to the election, and now they need to outline their plan to ensure the state meets its national energy obligations without just outsourcing the jobs to the eastern states,” he said.
“Today’s announcement is likely to be the first of many as the costs of distributed clean energy fall steadily, but at all times we have to uphold our obligations to the people who have kept the lights on for the last hundred years,” Senator Ludlam concluded.
The Greens (WA) Energy 2030 plan will:
- 1. Provides a roadmap to reach 100% renewable electricity on the South West Grid by 2030 and illustrates two costed scenarios to get there.
- 2. Establishes a new government authority called Renew Western Australia to drive the transition, responsible for planning and leveraging $500 million of investment into construction of new energy generation over the next four years in WA;
- 3. Support workers as we transition away from fossil fuels through a $100m Clean Energy Transition Fund to ensure coal workers and communities are not left behind, with $6.6m each year for direct training and reskilling programs and investment for new businesses;
- 4. Introduce a staged Phase out Plan based on new state based emissions and pollution intensity standards, to enable the orderly and stable closure of our dirtiest coal and gas-fired power stations, and a fair transition for all.
http://greens.org.au/news/wa/energy-2030-making-wa-100-renewable-2030
Media Release Climate Change