Tuesday 15 October 2024
With polluting coal-fired power stations being phased out across the globe, Aussie households are increasingly turning to renewables like rooftop solar for reliable, clean and affordable electricity to power their homes. Queensland leads the nation in the uptake of household solar.
Average power bills in Queensland would have been $400 more expensive in 2023 without rooftop solar and large-scale renewable energy providing affordable energy to the grid, and if new renewable energy projects are delayed from coming online, wholesale electricity prices could be 36% higher.
Queensland industries are also investing heavily in renewable energy to power their operations, allowing them to remain competitive in global markets with sustainable supply chains in mining, refining and manufacturing.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli and the LNP need to be upfront and clear with Queenslanders before the election and release details about their plans for Queensland's future energy mix, outlining how they will meet their climate pollution reduction commitments to keep Queenslanders safe, and provide certainty for business and investors.
Quotes from members of the Power Together Coalition can be found below - for interview requests, please contact Sean Kennedy 0447 121 378 sean.kennedy@climatemediacentre.org.au
Luke Reade, Policy Advocate from Energetic Communities, said:
"By continuing coal generation, scrapping the renewable energy targets, and going into the election without a real plan to achieve net zero or support households, the LNP are risking energy affordability and the health of Queensland households.
"We know that heat already kills more people than bushfires, floods and storms combined and that most of these deaths occur in homes and workplaces. We also know that renewable energy is cheaper than coal. As it’s mostly renters and low-income households that live in the most heat affected and expensive to run homes, keeping coal open will only exacerbate this unfair impact. Queenslanders just can't afford any more temperature increases from the continuing use of expensive fossil fuels."
Dave Copeman, Director of the Queensland Conservation Council, said:
“Queensland is on track to replace our ageing, unreliable coal fired power stations with renewable energy, backed by storage. The LNP are indicating they would stand in the way of affordable and reliable renewables by keeping coal open.
“Our research shows that building renewable energy is the best way to keep prices stable and our electricity supply stable. Needlessly paying coal to stay on past its used-by-date hurts new renewable energy investment and hits Queenslanders’ bills.
“Investors need certainty to build the wind and solar projects that will bring long term jobs to Queensland’s regions in future manufacturing and other industries. We need a clear plan to close coal for our Reef, our power bills and our future.”
Aimee McVeigh, the CEO of the Queensland Council of Social Service, said:
“Queenslanders need certainty about being able to access affordable power in the future.
“Despite welcomed bill relief to offset increased prices, these short-term measures are due to expire.
“More and more families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, so the renewable energy transformation that is underway offers a pathway to sustainably lower energy prices in the longer term.”
Nic Seton, CEO of Parents for Climate, said:
“Coal fired power stations should be closed as soon as possible to protect our kids and the next generation. We need to get on with the job of building a cleaner future, not spooking investment in clean energy by suggesting indefinite extensions of dirty, expensive coal stations.
“We want to see the LNP be true to their word, and meet their promise of reducing emissions by 75% by 2035. Extending coal fired power stations puts at risk the target that the LNP voted for and that Queensland parents want to see achieved.
“The LNP needs to confirm that it will continue to roll out wind, solar, hydro and batteries at a rate that will allow coal generators to close as soon as possible.”
Fr Peter Moore, Chair Angligreen – Anglican Church Southern Queensland, said:
“The objects of Angligreen, as a committee of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland (ACSQ), is to support ACSQ, its parishes and agencies:
-
In fulfilling the fourth mark of mission of the Diocese, ‘to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the Earth’.
-
In responding to and complying with the Protection of the Environment Canon 2007.
-
In its interaction and partnerships with other Diocesan, Anglican, Ecumenical, Interfaith and secular bodies working for their protection of the environment.
“We are experiencing increases in natural disasters, cyclones, floods, bushfires, heat waves etc all around the world, as we continue burning fossil fuels. Those most affected are those least able to protect themselves.
“We know the way to reduce the costs is to transition away from fossil fuels to renewables as quickly as possible. We call for fixed plans to speed the transition which include a just transition for industry, workers, communities and individuals affected.
“Angligreen works with Queensland Churches Environmental Network (QCEN), Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC), Queensland Community Alliance, QCC, Power Together and others to achieve these goals.”
Tracey Adams from the Housing Older Womens’ Movement said:
“We are very concerned about the impacts of this policy - we need a government who will act to slow climate change. Older people are more adversely affected by heat. I represent single older women on lower or moderate incomes who already live in housing that is poor quality, so not equipped to handle very hot weather and heatwaves because there are no standards in Queensland for all homes to have insulation or ceiling fans or other energy efficiency measures.
“I have been a victim of the heat in my rental, where I have passed out more than once because of the heat during summer. I am scared of what keeping coal fired power stations open means for increased temperatures. Even people in new builds are not safe from heat as the standards are still way too low to handle heatwaves.”
Amanda McKenzie, CEO of the Climate Council, said:
“Climate action targets are important goals for slashing climate pollution. Having a bipartisan commitment in Queensland to long-term and medium-term targets has shown the rest of the country how it’s done. QLD LNP Leader David Crisafulli must affirm that commitment to reassure Queenslanders that the climate wars are over and if elected his government would get on with the necessary action to protect Queenslanders.
“Coal-fired power stations are breaking down and closing down. Every day they stay open means another day pumping out more climate pollution and another day of paying for high maintenance costs. We are still talking about the consequences of the Callide power station exploding years after it happened. Now is the time to get on with building more clean energy.
“Already Queensland gets 26.5% of its power from renewable sources and Queenslanders have embraced clean energy in their homes with half of all households already having solar panels installed; the highest penetration of any Australian state or territory.
“Queensland is the sunniest state and solar is the lowest-cost form of energy. Investing in renewables, backed by storage like batteries and pumped hydro, will ensure Queensland has affordable and reliable 21st century power. Growing clean energy is the measure of success for whichever government is elected as it will cut climate pollution and power bills at the same time.
“Support for renewables and climate action has made Queensland a desirable location for investment. But investors require policy certainty. Proposals to extend the life of old coal clunkers is like trying to flog a 50-year-old car – it’s polluting, unreliable and exorbitantly expensive. It also scares investors away because of the uncertainty.”
ENDS
Contact details:
Sean Kennedy 0447 121 378 sean.kennedy@climatemediacentre.org.au
