<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/16/electricity-generated-by-burning-native-australian-timber-no-longer-classified-as-renewable-energy>
"Electricity generated by burning native forest wood waste will no longer be
allowed to be classified as renewable energy under a regulatory change adopted
by the Albanese government.
The decision, which Labor had promised to consider after it was recommended by
a Senate committee in September, reverses a 2015 Abbott government move which
allowed burning native forest timber to be counted alongside solar and wind
energy towards the national renewable energy target.
The right to burn wood left over from logging to create renewable energy
certificates – which provide a subsidy for clean energy generation – was not
often used, but conservation groups said it could be an incentive to keep
felling native forests. They expressed concern that some power plant owners had
plans to start using native forest timber as a supplement to coal-fired
generation.
The climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, said the change was in
step with “strong and longstanding community views” raised in a consultation
process that received more than 2,900 submissions. He said the government had
put in place “transitional arrangements” for one Western Australian facility
that had registered to use timber as an energy source.
“We have listened to the community and acted to address their concerns,” he
said.
The Greens’ forests spokesperson, Janet Rice, described the decision as “a
major win for the climate, for native forests, and for clean energy”, and said
the minor party had secured a commitment the government would reconsider the
practice during negotiations over climate change legislation earlier this
year."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
