MEDIA RELEASE: CEFC gives momentum to renewable energy but work still to do: 100% Renewable Campaign

Community campaign, 100% Renewable, today welcomed progress on the Clean Energy Finance Corporation from the Government, Greens and Independents but indicated that there is still much to do to deliver on a renewable energy future for Australia.

“The announcement of Jillian Broadbent as Chairperson of the CEFC and the laying out of a clear timetable for the establishment of the body will be welcomed by communities across Australia who want to see the rapid rollout of renewable energy,” said Lindsay Soutar, Campaign Coordinator.

“With the CEFC and Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), introduced in parliament today, Australia will be in a much stronger position to power our economy from our abundant natural resources of sun, wind, geothermal and wave.

“We applaud the Government, Greens and Independents for taking this important step.

“The CEFC is a central element of the agreement between the government, Greens and Independents and it is crucial that it is delivered in full and on time.

“Communities across Australia want to see a rapid transition to renewable energy. They want to see big solar plants built and they want to see our leaders tackle rising energy prices and invest in cheaper sources of power.

“We urge the government to stick religiously to this timetable and not accept any delay.

“We also call on the Opposition to build on the spirit of bipartisanship that underpins the Renewable Energy Target and get behind the CEFC.

“Right now Tony Abbot and Barnaby Joyce seem to be committed to locking us into high cost, dirty energy forever.

“The National Party in particular needs to take a good hard look at their opposition to these renewable energy measures as it’s their regional constituents who stand to reap the benefits of renewable energy.

The 100% Renewable campaign will be working to ensure that the CEFC delivers on its potential of delivering new big solar projects across the country and will be seeking support for this vision from each and every member of parliament.

“Today is a good step towards a 100% renewable energy future and shows that we can be more ambitious than we have been until now.

“We can now start turning the potential of renewable energy in this country into a reality.”

MEDIA ENQUIRIES, 100% Renewable Spokesperson, Andrew Bray, 0421 379 646