Target is the target for energy

Cooma Monaro Express
Tuesday 20/3/2007 Page: 3

Cooma mayor Tony Kaltoum says he would welcome a target for the use of renewable energies in the Shire, providing that energy was available. The statement followed attendees at the clean energy community forum held in Jindabyne deciding on a target that they would like the Snowy River Council to meet.

Snowy River Mayor Richard Wallace has supported the target, which would see a 50 per cent reduction of energy use and 50 per cent renewable energy use by 2020. Cr Kaltoum said he would also agree with the concept if the resources were available.

"All we have in the region (for renewable energy) is Snowy Hydro electricity and that's only supplied in peak, so it's really about what energy is available," said Cr Kaltoum. "I'd like to meet with Dr Matthew Nott and invite him and Australian National University to Cooma to get their view and see what they have to say about renewable energy and how to go about it. "It would be great to have more people involved to make a constructive decision about our future - it's their country, their future and their kids' future," he said.

Snowy River Mayor Richard Wallace said he supported the renewable energy and reduction targets all the way, and hoped his shire could lead the way in tackling climate change. "The Snowy River Shire is taking an active role at reducing emissions and utilising renewable energy;' said Cr Wallace.

"This includes looking at all the latest up-to-date renewable energy for the council building additions, retrofitting the original building, using more fuel economic vehicles, solar town lights and we've approved wind farm policies as well. "We use too much energy and Australia is living above its means. If we start doing little things around the home, like turning lights off, there could be huge amounts of energy and economical savings," he said.