Destroying native forests for `renewable' energy

BY JIM GREEN

Friends of the Earth and the Alternative Technology Association have slammed the Australian Labor Party for supporting federal Coalition government legislation which will allow the burning of non-plantation native forests to be included as a renewable source of electricity.

The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Bill introduces a mandatory requirement for electricity retailers and wholesalers to produce an additional 2% of their energy from renewable sources from January 2001 or pay a penalty.

The bill allows energy created by the burning of native forests to be included as an eligible form of renewable electricity within the category of “biomass”.

Friends of the Earth's climate campaigner Tristy Fairfield said, “By failing to push for amendments to the bill, the ALP is placing our forests under added pressure to meet its international obligations regarding [greenhouse] emissions targets, and is demonstrating a lack of vision for a clean energy future for Australia.

Kulja Coulston, from the Alternative Technology Association, said: “The energy industry will now be able to meet its obligations by taking the `least cost' approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which is to feed woodchips from our native and regenerate forests into already existing coal-fired power stations.

“Compared to true renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind technology, biomass will continue our reliance on coal-firing and support unsustainable forestry practices. The Australian government should be supporting energy sources which have zero emissions”, Coulston said.

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