Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader and State Prosperity spokesperson
While Energy Minister Matthew Groom continues to pray for rain, Bell Bay Aluminium has come to his temporary rescue with a plan to reduce the plant’s energy consumption by 10% over the next four to five months.
It is the Greens' very sincere hope that this will not impact on jobs in and around George Town.
The State’s major power user, Bell Bay is exercising responsible corporate citizenship and a commitment to being part of the temporary solution to the State’s current energy crisis.
Minister Groom, meanwhile, has failed to articulate any plan to ensure Tasmania’s energy security in the future.
The State’s future social and economic wellbeing is at stake here. Minister Groom needs to be open to good ideas and to community input about Tasmania’s energy future.
It’s been more than six weeks since Basslink went down. Without the massive resources of a government department and numerous advisers to delegate work to, the Greens have been busy working on evidence-based energy solutions to strengthen Tasmania’s energy security.
Minister Groom appears to be fumbling to articulate, let alone deliver, a plan to secure Tasmania’s renewable energy future and its economic wellbeing.