FEATURE
Council seeks to reduce energy usage and find opportunities to use renewable energy.
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Green Power Information
Household electricity consumption is the biggest single cause of greenhouse gases in Australia - so buying GreenPower is an easy way for your family to help tackle global warming.
Green Power is the name given to electricity generated from clean, renewable energy sources. Green Power sources can include:
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solar power
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wind
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biomass (landfill gas, municipal solid waste, agricultural wastes, energy crops, wood wastes)
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hydro-electric power (small-scale or on existing dams)
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geothermal energy
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wave and tidal power.
Green Power is also the name used for a national scheme that sets environmental and reporting standards for renewable energy products offered by electricity suppliers, recognised by the Green Power 'green tick' icon.
Accreditation ensures that energy companies are producing renewable energy of the same standard, making it easier for customers to choose between different renewable energy products. Generally, non-accredited products source their renewable energy from old sources, such as large hydro-electric projects.
Switching to accredited Green Power will:
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Cut your carbon emissions
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Help fight climate change
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Drive demand for greener energy
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Develop the renewable energy sector
To increase the supply of renewable energy, the NSW Government has, through its State Plan, introduced a target on electricity retailers. Retailers will face stiff penalties if they don't comply. The targets are set so that by 2010, 10 per cent of electricity consumed in NSW will be from renewable sources, rising to 15 per cent by 2020.
Council is also seeking to reduce energy usage and find opportunities to use renewable energy. In December 2007 Council resolved to purchase 10% accredited Green Power for its largest energy using sites. For more information about Council's efforts to reduce its energy consumption see download at right.
For more information see downloads at right or go to:
