The Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA), WA's business chamber for the sustainable energy industries, has undertaken a comprehensive comparison of significant election commitments of the four biggest parties contesting the election.

The result reveals a clear choice for those planning to vote for a more sustainable Western Australia.

Through the election campaign, WA SEA has called for a raft of cost effective and practical mechanisms to deliver strong growth within the Western Australian sustainable energy industry, including measures that remove barriers to business entry and deliver incentives to ensure a more sustainable economy.

The table draws together previous commitments by parties while in government and opposition, together with analysis of new election commitments sourced from policy statements and media announcements. A total of 14 policy categories have been scored based on an assessment of each measure scored out of 5, with a total possible score of 70.

The Greens received the highest score with 59 out of 70 (84%), Labor scored 37 out of 70 (52%), the Liberals scored 27 out of 70 (39%), and the Nationals were largely absent from this policy space, including a negative score in one category, to a total of only 4 out of 70 (6%).

"We welcome all commitments by the parties. In considering the major parties, unfortunately the Liberal commitments to sustainable energy generally fail to match Labor's greater election commitments across the portfolio of sustainable energy, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, and public transport," says Dr Ray Wills, Chief Executive of WA SEA.

"Ramping up use of Western Australia's massive renewable energy resources will actually diversify the economy and create a more robust environment for business."

"Building our renewable energy base improves both diversity and security of energy supply, provides new opportunities for business and employment, and will grow WA's industry base - these are all good business outcomes and will help build a more sustainable economy."

"While there is plenty of space for improvement, Labor have provided a more substantial commitment that will deliver a more sustainable economy for all Western Australians," says Dr Wills.

Table 1:  WA SEA major policy initiatives matched to WA State election commitments. 116.81 Kb

WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA) Media Release - 4 September 2008

Media Contact:

Dr Ray Wills 0430 365 607

Editors notes:

1. The Western Australian Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA) is a chamber of businesses variously promoting, developing and/or adopting sustainable energy technologies and services that minimise the use of energy through sustainable energy practices and maximise the use of energy from sustainable sources. WA SEA is supported by a growing membership of 180 industry members from a diversity of businesses. www.wasea.com.au.

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A new election commitment today by the Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter to expand Perth's public transport network has been welcomed by the WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA), the chamber of businesses for sustainable energy industries in WA.

Today's announcement adds to an array of measures already announced by Labor - election commitments that are in WA SEA's view not just substantive, but demonstrate the joined up thinking that WA SEA has been calling for since the Premier made his Climate Action Statement of May last year.

"WA SEA welcomes the Premier's commitment to action - action that creates a more sustainable economy for all Western Australians, with measures that improves energy efficiency and increases the use of sustainable energy, that includes more sustainable outcomes for business, and in particular strong measures to assist the community," says Dr Ray Wills, Chief Executive of WA SEA.

"WA SEA is delighted with the Premier's commitment to expand Perth's public transport network and capacity. But, while improvements in public transport will make important contributions to a reduction in transport related greenhouse gas emissions, the new infrastructure and the growth of our urban sprawl around the transport network may increase emissions - unless we ensure new projects are carbon neutral."

"As we grow our State, we must ensure our own actions don't cost the Earth. Current and future governments must commit to build all new infrastructure projects to be icons of energy efficiency, comprehensively designed on principals of zero waste, and budget measures that guarantee projects will be powered by renewable energy," says Dr Wills.

"This applies not just to the expansion of the transport network, but to all new projects in the array of infrastructure developments already announced by the Carpenter Government - museums, hospitals and, of course, the new stadium."

"WA SEA looks forward to further election commitments on sustainable energy measures that bolster energy efficiency and improve outcomes for the economy. WA SEA calls for direct support for government agencies to purchase all of their electricity needs from renewable sources, and further measures for business that reduces transaction costs in the take up of energy efficient buildings, appliances and vehicles." says Dr Wills.

"WA SEA supports all initiatives that significantly ramp up use of Western Australia's massive renewable energy resources - resources that will continue to shine on us, to wash up on our shores, and to blow past us without limit and with no inflation in its price!"

WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA) Media Release - 31 August 2008

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With Father's Day fast approaching, there's a chance to give Dad a present that doesn't cost the Earth, according to the WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA), the business chamber for sustainable energy industries in WA.

"There are many things that will show it is more than the thought that counts - the gift too can create a more sustainable outcome for all," says Dr Ray Wills, Chief Executive of WA SEA.

According to a US study, average per capita spending on Father's Day is around $30 per capita in 2008. For Australia, this will translate into an expenditure of $600 million in the celebration of our fathers - an amount that is more than the total expenditure all of Australia will commit to renewable energy over the whole year.

So, lets get away from the socks, jocks and ties and get sustainable - here are some thought starters:

• Save Dad's energy - get him an energy audit his shed (well may be the house too);
• Save him money on energy and replace the old beer fridge with a new energy efficient one;
• If Dad is your sunshine, get him a high tech toy - a solar panel for the roof of his shed (again - maybe the house, too)
• Still high tech - perhaps a solar charger for his mobile phone, or some solar lights for the path in the garden to his shed);
• Show him that he can light up the shed - with a packet of energy efficient light globes (get him enough for the house too);
• Offset his beer drinking emissions, and the emissions from the car (and shed) - buy him a gift certificate to go carbon neutral;
• Help him spend some time getting fit - on a new bike (it uses renewable energy);
• He might need some help mowing the lawn - with a rechargeable electric lawn mower - powered on green power of course; and
• At the end of a good day, a relaxing shower - from a new solar hot water system.

"WA SEA is the only business peak body actively supporting substantive action on sustainable energy in Western Australia, so a membership to WA SEA might be our final suggestion" says Dr Wills.

WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA) Media Release - 29 August 2008

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WA's leading business body for sustainable energy and environment groups have united to release a map outlining the state's substantial renewable energy resources and deliver a strong message to the winner of the State election - WA's clean energy future is now.

"WA can achieve energy security and a clean, safe future with a massive roll-out of renewable energy over the next decade," said Denise Boyd, ACF's Campaigns Director.

"Our renewable energy map shows WA is sitting on a massive untapped resource," Ms Boyd said.

"WA can be powered on clean, renewable energy. The technology is here, the ideas are here, the investment potential is here. We are the Middle East of renewable energy, we simply need to harvest it" said Dr Ray Wills, CEO of the WA Sustainable Energy Association.

"My members - solar companies, wind companies, wave companies, geothermal companies, and many diversified energy companies - can power WA with sustainable energy resources. A newly elected State Government just has to flick the switch to green and these companies will invest," Dr Wills said.

"From the Pilbara to the south-west, it's time to build a grid to deliver energy security and sustainable power, and a sustainable economy to Western Australians," Dr Wills said.

"Investment in a clean energy sector for WA is vital in building a sustainable economy and preventing dangerous climate change. WA is in an ideal position to become world leader in renewable energy, and coupled with our resource industries we could be producing the world's first carbon neutral iron ore and other minerals," said Piers Verstegen, Director of the WA Conservation Council.

The three groups have called for new energy generation to come from renewable sources, infrastructure support to allow that to happen and a commitment to a commercial feed-in tariff to support establishment of future projects.

The map of WA's renewable energy potential released today (attached) outlines solar thermal, wind power and geothermal hotspots across the State. WA currently taps into only a tiny proportion of this resource.

Joint media release - media contacts:
Dr Ray Wills, CEO, WA Sustainable Energy Association, 0430 365 607
Piers Verstegen, CCWA director, 0411 557 892 or (08) 9420 7266
Denise Boyd, ACF campaigns director, 0409 935 044

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A surge in capital spending by the mining sector is evidence that an impending emissions trading system has not reduced enthusiasm to invest in Australia, according to the WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA), the business chamber for sustainable energy industries in WA.

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures yesterday showed a 5.7 per cent lift in new and expected capital spending in the June quarter to a record $22.59 billion.

The size of the rise, driven by an 8 per cent increase in equipment and plant spending, shows that businesses are continuing to invest heavily in expansion. Mining sector expenditure rose almost 9 per cent, 27 per cent higher than the previous year, and is forecast to grow 45 per cent in 2008-09. For all industries, the bureau is forecasting total capital spending of almost $100 billion through this financial year, or about 8 per cent of GDP.

"Current investment in projects together with forecast expenditure shows that, with full knowledge of an emissions trading system to start in Australia by 2010, there is still strong investment in the opportunities in Australia," says Dr Ray Wills, Chief Executive of WA SEA.

"Claims that an emissions trading system will damage Australia's economic development simply do not add up in dollar terms, and growth in investment is a clear indication an ETS will not stop growth. Businesses concerned about an ETS would not be continuing their investments now, but continuing growth shows if there are concerns, these must be minor and obviously not influencing investment," says Dr Wills.

"Considering numbers like Australia's GDP of more than $800 billion, a Federal Government annual budget over $200 billion, and the forecast level of business investment at $100 billion, a carbon market that in the first few years will trade less than $3-4 billion per annum, or about 0.4 per cent of GDP, is small change."

"Despite the small impact carbon trading is likely to have overall, steps must still be taken to manage the impact on exposed businesses. But a combination of an emissions trading system, paired with direct incentives for industry to reduce emissions through both energy efficiency and procurement of lower emissions energy, will actually diversify the economy and create a more robust environment for business. This mix will in fact reduce inflationary pressures that would otherwise occur through spiralling fossil fuel prices," says Dr Wills.

WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc. - WA SEA Media Release 29 August 2008
Media Contact:
Dr Ray Wills 0430 365 607

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A further election commitment by Labor today brings wave energy in with the sunshine, ensuring an improved return on investment for much needed renewable energy, says the WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA), the business chamber for sustainable energy industries in WA.

"The commitment by the Premier to deliver extra financial incentives for new renewable base load projects such as wave and geothermal will encourage private investment in renewable energy in Western Australia," says Dr Ray Wills, Chief Executive of WA SEA.

"Promoting distributed generation through the south-west will deliver renewable energy from wave and geothermal sources, and provide dispatchable base load and improve energy security across the South West electricity grid."

"Delivering an incentive for renewable energy projects in Western Australia will encourage projects arising from the national Mandated Renewable Energy Target (MRET) to establish in WA, ensuring Western Australia's industry base is also diversified," says Dr Wills.

"At a time when all industry sectors are competing for resources and stretched with finding people in a booming economy, providing incentives to develop much needed renewable energy will allow project proponents to have the confidence to invest in people."

"Today's announcements can be a part of a combination of measures that deliver joined up outcomes and will help develop a more sustainable economy for all Western Australians. WA SEA looks forward to further election commitments on sustainable energy measures that bolster energy efficiency and improve outcomes for the economy. Support for government agencies and tax relief for business and the community that improves access to energy efficient homes, buildings, appliances and vehicles."

"WA SEA supports all initiatives that significantly ramp up use of Western Australia's massive renewable energy resources - resources that will continue to shine on us, to wash up on our shores, and to blow past us without limit and with no inflation in its price!."

WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA) Media Release - 26 August 2008

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The election commitment by Labor announced today to a Feed in Tariff (FiT) for domestic customers will mean that householders taking full advantage of the system need never pay an electricity bill again, according to the WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA), the business chamber for the sustainable energy industry in WA.

"The gross Feed in Tariff announced by the Premier today is the most generous in Australia - a move that empowers homes to supply all of their household electricity needs with renewable energy," says Dr Ray Wills, Chief Executive of WA SEA.

"The gross feed in tariff of 60 cents per kilowatt hour for domestic systems of up to 10 kilowatt, available only if homes also take on 100% Green Power supply, will allow home owners in WA to completely eliminate greenhouse gas emissions previously associated with electricity use in those homes."

"Householders installing full capacity on their rooftops will be able to take advantage of our plentiful - and free - sunshine, and may never have an electricity bill again. Households with under $100 000 income can invest in solar with support from the Federal Government rebate and pay back the system within a very short time," says Dr Wills

"And diversifying electricity generation on roof tops of WA homes will bolster distributed generation through the south-west, and will bring both energy security and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions."

"The commitment announced by the Premier also opens the door for small to medium enterprises with a promise to explore an appropriate renewable energy buyback scheme."

"WA SEA looks forward to further elections announcements on renewable energy as a part of election commitments that can see our State ramp up use of Western Australia's massive renewable energy resource -renewable energy that will continue to shine on us, to wash up on our shores, and to blow past us - with no inflation in its price!"

WA Sustainable Energy Association Inc. (WA SEA) Media Release - 25 August 2008

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