Page 1560 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 17 May 1994
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lead in retrofitting its own buildings with energy saving fittings and controls, as part of its energy management program administered by ACT Public Works and Services. This program has already realised significant savings in utility costs in public buildings. All new public buildings incorporate energy saving controls to reduce future recurrent costs. (Extension of time granted)
In summary, the recommendations of the standing committee's renewable energy report have been adopted wherever possible or practicable. The ACT Government acknowledges that the area of renewable energy continues to undergo further research of the various technologies. The use of passive solar energy has been reflected in measures adopted under the Territory Plan. There has also been a pervasive awareness in the community of solar heating and lighting benefits through the advertising of solar design in housing. The Government has addressed greenhouse gas issues from a policy perspective, through research and development programs, and initiatives in direct greenhouse gas reduction such as natural gas vehicles.
Madam Speaker, in concluding my statement on the Government's response to the standing committee's report, I would like to thank the committee for their ongoing interest in renewable energy issues. The issue of energy goes beyond the scope of the committee's report. We must look to the future of all energy sources on which the ACT is dependent, including the renewable sources. The utilities reform agenda, with its impact on the long-term supply of electricity and natural gas to the ACT, presents the right opportunity for energy supply issues and demand management measures to be integrated into an energy strategy. The ACT Government intends to commence the development of that strategy, as I have already said, in this calendar year. My final comment is that it is a great pleasure for me to be able to present this response on behalf of the Government in a building that, as far as its lighting is concerned, adopts the practices that have been recommended in the standing committee's report.
MR MOORE (3.39): Madam Speaker, I take this opportunity to comment on this response from the Government to a series of reports, the first being the solar energy and cogeneration of electricity discussion paper, which was released in the First ACT Assembly in November 1991. At that point, I was chair of the same Assembly committee that I currently chair. In my preface to the discussion paper I stated:
The purpose of this discussion paper ... is to assist the process of turning around the community's approach to energy use in homes and workplaces.
I went on to say in the report:
In continuing that work, this report suggests some further steps in dealing with the generation of electricity from renewable resources. The notion of sustainable energy beyond hydroelectricity was a dream such a short time ago and yet now is a reality. The economics of producing electrical power including through solar and wind generation are within a range where it must be taken seriously.
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