While the Federal Government seems to believe good air quality and jobs growth as mutually incompatible goals, Councils have recognised the fundamental importance of both. In NSW, Waverley Council has committed itself to reducing Greenhouse gas emissions by undertaking to source a quarter of its own electricity requirements from renewable energy.
The move, undertaken in consultation with supplier Integral Electricity, will see Waverley reduce its Greenhouse emissions and simultaneously reduce its energy costs by $40,000 per annum.
Council could have saved another $6,000 in the short term using conventional energy sources but opted for a more socially responsible position, which will ensure greater savings down the track. On costs are already substantially less for renewable energy.
“Even though the Prime Minister is out of touch on the problem of Greenhouse emissions, the community has demonstrated that air quality is the number one pollution concern,” said Waverley Mayor Councillor Paul Pearce. “Local Government has a responsibility to play a leadership role on fundamental environmental issues, such as air pollution.”
In addition, Council is encouraging the growth of new business and job opportunities in the burgeoning renewable energy industry.
“This is a win win situation, providing us with both environmental and cost benefits,” Councillor Pearce said. “Increased demand will lead to a further reduction in prices, which in turn will lead to a further increase in the use of energy sourced from green power as prices for domestic users become cheaper. In the future, we will be looking at dramatically increasing the percentage of green power we use in relation to black power generated by conventional energy sources.”
Greenpower, a policy strategy developed by the Sustainable Energy Development Authority to increase the supply of renewable energy into the NSW Grid, was launched by the State Government in April this year. Waverley is the first Council to respond to the call and is hoping that other Councils will follow suit. Council is also in the process of introducing strategies to encourage the use of renewable energy in residential developments.
For further information contact Peter Carmichael, telephone (02) 9369 8126.
