[Greens-Media]
WA Greens, 23 August 2008

The South West could become the solar power hub of Australia, feeding
national and international demand for solar energy technologies, says
Greens MLC Paul Llewellyn.

"WA's Kemerton silicon smelter just north of Bunbury. is a major
global producer. The technology is available right now to upgrade the
facility from producing industrial chemical-grade silicon to producing
very high grade silicon suitable for solar cell production.

"What is needed to realise the full potential of our silicon smelter
is leadership and practical support and industry development to make
the shift to high grade downstream processing.

"I understand that Prime Solar, a major solar panel company, has
previously sought assistance from the State government to set up the
necessary facilities at Kemerton, but has since been lured to do a
similar operation in Germany.

"With this major opportunity allowed to slip offshore, we now have to
buy back our own silicon at 100 times the price we sold it for.

"Global demand for solar power grade silicon is growing by a massive
35%, and there is still space for a major smelter and Solar Power Hub
based on world's best practice in Western Australia.

"This hub will feed the renewable energy industry, which is so vital
to an effective response to climate change."
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GREENS PUSH GOVERNMENT TO GET SMART ON DENMARK-WALPOLE POWER GRID
25 August 2008

"One and a half years after my call for a Smart Meter Trial on
Denmark/Walpole feeder, Western Power is coming to the party, but they
need government support for the proposal to work," says Paul Llewellyn
MLC, Greens member for the South West.

"Following the disruptive Easter blackouts in Denmark and Walpole in
2007, I called for community members and Western Power to work
together to develop a whole-of-grid solution to our power problems,
rather than just putting in expensive new transmission lines," said Mr
Llewellyn.

"With Western Power the South Coast Power Working Group was
subsequently formed, to look at energy conservation and local power
supply solutions such wind/diesel, solar and other embedded power
options for the Denmark-Walpole feeder.

"Western Power has embraced the concept of a pilot smart grid program
on the Denmark-Walpole feeder because of the acute power situation,
and because the community has been proactive and receptive to
alternative clean energy solutions, but these are innovative
strategies that require Government backing to get off the ground.

"The government needs to immediately fund the trial and work with
Western Power to clear a path through the regulatory red tape," he said.

"It is cheaper to implement energy conservation strategies, and local
power generation from wind, solar and gas, backed up by local gas or
diesel power plants, than it is to build new power lines, but this
also means using smart controls technologies to manage the system.

"Smart grid is a term used to describe a suite of technical strategies
to control the load on our electricity grid, by for example
automatically switching off some of our energy guzzling appliances,
such as hot water systems and reverse cycle air conditioners at peak
times. One other strategy involves the use of smart metering.

"Smart meters allow the household to modify their own power use from
home by reducing their power costs and impact on the grid. They
complement other initiatives to conserve energy and to use energy more
efficiently," said Mr Llewellyn.

"In August 2007 I wrote to the Minister for energy Fran Logan,
requesting the smart meter trial be implemented in Denmark/Walpole as
part of this solution," said Mr Llewellyn.

"Western Power now wants to implement the pilot project and roll smart
meters out to the Denmark-Walpole feeder, ahead of a State wide trial
including other regional areas.

"The exciting thing about smart grids is that they not only reduce our
power consumption, but they also significantly reduce our greenhouse
gas emissions. This is good for household budgets, the local economy
and for the planet. This is an important initiative that I encourage
all Denmark residents to get behind," said Mr Llewellyn.
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NSW Greens, 26 August 2008

O'Farrell should resist business bullying on power sell-off

The NSW Opposition should determine its position on the Iemma
government's power privatisation based on the impacts on the people
and environment of this state. He should not cave into threats from
the big polluters and the finance sector, according to Greens NSW MP
John Kaye.

Dr Kaye said: "Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell is under massive
pressure from the business lobby to support the sell-off, despite the
appalling impacts it would have on greenhouse gas emissions, household
energy bills, the state's finances and employment in rural and
regional NSW.

"He must not buckle under threats of withdrawal of political and
financial support from the business community.

"Instead Mr O'Farrell should ask the lobbyists to justify the need for
more large baseload power stations in NSW, which is Treasurer Michael
Costa's key pretext for his push to sell off the retailers and lease
out the generators.

"If they were to answer truthfully, they would tell him that the state
has more than adequate baseload capacity for the next two decades and
beyond.

"All that is needed is to manage the overnight demand by improving
energy efficiency.

"With just two days to go until the Iemma government's legislation
comes before parliament, the people of NSW will be watching the
alternative Premier very carefully.

"They will be asking if he is just a patsy for cashed-up big business
or if he can show real leadership on the environment and protecting
household budgets.

"If Mr O'Farrell does the right thing, Michael Costa's sell-off push
will be defeated.

"In the Upper House the four Greens would then be joined by the
Opposition, Rev. Gordon Moyes and enough Labor MPs to vote against the
bill and defeat the sell-off," Dr Kaye said.

For more information:
John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye@...
web: www.johnkaye.org.au

mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000

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