Just transition
'Switch off Hazelwood. Switch on Renewables' is part of the campaign for a just transition away from coal, towards clean renewable energy jobs for the Latrobe Valley, and Australia.
The Rudd federal and Brumby state Government must directly invest money in the Latrobe Valley to drive a fair transition away from coal-fired power and into renewable clean energy jobs.
For such a transition to work it needs an open and democratic process involving workers, unions, the renewable energy sector, the community and government- we need to start the work now on what that transition will look like - and make it happen.
Privatisation of Victoria’s brown coal electricity sector has seen around 16,000 jobs lost in the Latrobe Valley and an increase in contract labor, with worsening wages and conditions.
The Brumby Government needs to stop granting tax-payers monies to these big polluters. Instead invest in the community and assist those working in the industry to transition out of coal and into the clean energy job sector.
The companies running these power stations must contribute the lions’ share of the costs of this necessary transition - as they have profited from the pollution.
Clean energy jobs are the way of the future. The Latrobe Valley can be transformed into a strong, diverse clean energy manufacturing hub and move beyond coal.
Across Australia we must phase out polluting coal fired power stations, beginning with Hazelwood, and create new clean energy jobs and industries in the Latrobe Valley.
In 2009, 96% of Victoria's electricity generation came from burning coal. The State's reliance on coal-fired power generation is the primary driver of Victoria's extremely high per capita greenhouse gas emissions.
Victoria's reliance on brown coal for the majority of our energy supply is out-dated and unsustainable, and our energy sector is in need of transformation.
Hazelwood power station is responsible for 17 million tonnes of greenhouse pollution each year (15% of the state's annual emissions), and is one of the most polluting power stations in the developed world. Hazelwood's owners International Power Australia have already signaled to the Federal Government that they would be willing to shut down with the right support.
The Latrobe Valley could be prioritized for new gas projects (provided that they are replacing coal and reducing the state's emissions) as well as targeted for the creation of new renewable energy and energy efficiency manufacturing jobs.
New wind turbine blade, solar water heating and insulation batts manufacturing facilities could be developed in the Latrobe Valley. A community developed 'Just Transitions' strategy is needed to examine alternative economic pathways for the Latrobe Valley and break the reliance on polluting industries.
For more information:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5EfEZfQXEE
http://newmatilda.com/2009/05/05/sweethearts
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/one-little-word-undoes-the-pms-claims-o...