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TALENT ALERT 7 SEPTEMBER, 2020 - Experts respond - Leaked draft reveals plan to pollute Australia's clean energy agencies

PR Newswire

Surry Hills, N.S.W., Sep. 7, 2020 /Medianet/ --


TALENT ALERT 


Experts respond - Leaked draft reveals plan to pollute Australia’s clean energy agencies


The federal government plans to change the remit of Australia’s clean energy agencies to allow them to fund gas - a fossil fuel - and carbon capture and storage projects, an exclusive story in the Sydney Morning Herald reveals today.


A draft of the government’s Technology Investment Road Map, seen by SMH reporters, suggests the changes will be made to both Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.


The following experts are available to respond:


Greg Bourne, Climate Councillor, energy expert and former chair of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency can talk on why this announcement is so outrageous, especially at a time when we need to be investing in a renewables-led recovery to get Australians back to work. 


Dr Bruce Mountain, Economist, CME Australia can talk about how using gas for electricity generation is no longer competitive. He says market participants will not use gas in the future unless it is heavily subsidised and that the federal government should be investing in cheaper and cleaner alternatives.


Bruce Robertson, Investment Analyst, Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis can talk about how gas no longer makes economic sense as a source of new energy for Australian homes and businesses. He can explain how the proposed changes to the CEFC and ARENA would change the basis on which the two bodies were allowed to operate, allowing them to lose taxpayers’ money. 


Professor John Quiggin, economist with the University of Queensland and prominent commentator on Australian economic policy can talk about the potential for the Queensland government to actually make money from its $500 million investment in clean energy, announced today, and how the federal government should follow suit by backing renewables.


For interviews, contact Lara Nicholson on 0431 050 768 or lara.nicholson@climatemediacentre.org.au


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