Press Releases

Coal country backs renewable energy: Poll

Published by
The Australia Institute
19 September 2017 10:17 AM

PRESS RELEASE

A new ReachTEL poll, commissioned by The Australia Institute’s Climate and Energy Program, asked residents of the electorates of Hunter and Shortland about energy policy, including government investment in coal, renewables and the Liddell coal power station.
Strong majorities in the coal electorates (61% and 57%) preferred government investment in renewables than in coal (32% and 36%).
Question: Which would you prefer the government to invest in, coal or renewables?
In the division of Hunter, the electorate in which the Liddell power station lies, more respondents supported the AGL decision to close Liddell (49%), than the Turnbull Government intervention to force the company to sell or keep open the plant (39%).
Question: Energy company AGL has announced that in 2022 it will be closing its Liddell coal-fired power station in the Hunter Valley in NSW, because it is 50 years old, and it plans to replace it with a mixture of renewable energy. Do you support AGL’s decision, or should it be forced to keep the coal power station open or sell it?
“Keeping an ageing 50-year old coal plant open is last thing that should be the focus of our debate if cheaper prices and reliability are the goals,” Executive Director of The Australia Institute, Ben Oquist said.
“AEMO did not recommend keeping Liddell open. Its annual report is actually a guide for where the opportunities for investment lie.
“For cheaper prices, reliability and to meet emissions reduction targets that focus should be on demand management, renewables, storage and a ‘smarter’ grid.
“Voters also want a clean energy target, and they want an ambitious one, with 45% in both electorates polled supporting a RET of 50 per cent by 2030, or more, of all electricity generation.
“This polling shows it is not just the experts, voters in coal electorates think government intervention with Liddell is a bad idea too.
“A political obsession with coal puts Australia at risk of missing out on the renewable energy investment and jobs boom,” Oquist said.
The Australia Institute

Share
Published by
The Australia Institute
Tags: AGLcoalrenewable energy
19 September 2017 10:17 AM

Related Post

Recent Posts

El Niño nears record levels as ocean conditions tilt in unfavourable direction for eastern Australia

BoM chart shows giant El Niño climate pattern in the Pacific is nearing record weekly…

30 September 2026

The revolutionary methane detection technology that probably won’t fit into our regulatory box

Report suggests focus has shifted from how we can leverage rapidly improving emissions measurement technologies,…

30 September 2026

“Staring down the climate crisis:” New Greens leaders promise to take fight to One Nation – and to Labor

The Australian Greens has named its new leaders, in a move the party says will…

30 September 2026

“Largest climate policy failure:” Giant NSW coal mine extension approved, with conditions attached

Controversial plan to extend one of Australia's biggest coal mines for almost two decades secures…

30 September 2026

CleanCo posts loss as it exits wind and pumped hydro investments, doubles down on gas generator

CleanCo annual loss comes as it ditches plans to buy large wind farm and convert…

30 September 2026

The future of farming is electric, but outdated rules can force us to pay market rates for our own solar

When larger farming machinery and vehicles are fully electric and affordable, Australian farmers will grab…

30 September 2026