Clean Energy legislation passes
THE federal body that will hand out $10 billion in grants for renewable energy projects will create jobs in regional areas, says Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne.
Senator Milne welcomed the passage of legislation for the creation of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation by the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
"This is a really exciting prospect for the nation, it's about nation building, and it is something the Greens have been able to achieve," she said.
"It's not only good for Australia generally, but those jobs that will be created will be around the country, but particularly in rural and regional areas.
"And that's going to build resilience in those communities and create a whole lot of opportunities."
Senator Milne said the government-owned corporation would be responsible for paying firms that can't get private investment to start up new renewable energy projects.
"This is one of the four pillars of the Clean Energy Future package and it's something the greens fought very hard to achieve; $10 billion for the roll-out of clean energy in Australia," she said.
"The carbon price won't be high enough to bring on large scale renewable energy in the timeframe we need to meet the scientific imperatives to keep global warming restrained to less than two degrees.
"(So) the need for rolling out renewable at scale, achieving 100% renewable energy has never been greater."
