AUSSIE GOVT BETS $1.3 BIL ON SUN, EFFICIENCY

Solar future looks bright as $1.3b boost gives power to the people
Stephanie Peatling, May 13, 2009 (The Age)

"The Federal Government will try to make the most of Australia's sunny climate by investing $1.3 billion in solar power initiatives…aimed at households and researchers… to vastly increase the amount of power that comes from an environmentally friendly source.

"A new solar flagships program will be created to turn Australia into a world leader in the generation of solar power…The Government [will] also increase the rebate for people who want to replace electric hot water systems from $1000 to $1600."

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"The Government has set itself the target of creating an additional 1000 megawatts of solar power - three times the size of the largest solar energy project in operation…[and] hopes householders will do everything they can to increase the energy efficiency of their homes.

"Energy efficiency is often referred to as low-hanging fruit by environment groups because it is relatively easy and cheap to achieve and can deliver significant greenhouse gas reductions."

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"The Government has already announced a program to offer people with little or no ceiling insulation up to $1600 to install the energy-saving batts…[The government will also introduce] new building codes to make sure new houses are as energy- and water-efficient as possible…[and] investigate how to install smart meters in houses and flats…

"The Government hopes its focus on energy efficiency will create thousands of new jobs, in a similar manner to Barack Obama's green jobs strategy for the US…

"As part of the budget, the Government also released the Wilkins review, a report by the former head of the NSW Cabinet Office, Roger Wilkins, on the effectiveness of the Government's energy-efficiency measures…The report recommended a significant streamlining of existing programs."