Clean Energy Council Welcomes EPBC Act Reforms as a Pragmatic and Timely Step

The Clean Energy Council has welcomed the Albanese Government's proposed reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), describing them as a timely and balanced step towards protecting Australia's environment while delivering the clean, reliable electricity the nation needs. The reforms strengthen environmental outcomes, ensure the delivery of electricity as coal-fired power stations exit the system, and introduce changes to environmental offsets that will allow clean energy companies to channel billions of dollars into regional communities.

Key Takeaways:

• The Clean Energy Council has welcomed the proposed reforms to the EPBC Act, describing them as pragmatic and thorough.
• The reforms strengthen environmental outcomes and ensure the delivery of electricity as coal-fired power stations exit the system.
• Proposed changes to environmental offsets will allow clean energy companies to channel billions of dollars into regional communities.
• The reforms provide clearer, more consistent guidance for the clean energy sector and a more streamlined approval process.
• Projects will be assessed and decided more efficiently, without compromising rigorous environmental standards.
• The reforms deliver on the commitment to protect nature during project construction with tangible benefits for regional landholders and communities.
• The Clean Energy Council has long advocated for modernising the EPBC framework and congratulates Federal Environment Minister, Murray Watt, for his thoughtful, inclusive approach to this consultation.
• The reforms provide the certainty and confidence to continue delivering the renewable energy projects that power Australian homes and businesses, while safeguarding the environment for generations to come.

Statistics:

• Coal-fired power stations exiting the system: no specific timeframe mentioned
• Billions of dollars to be channeled into regional communities through environmental offsets: no specific figure mentioned
• Number of projects to be assessed and decided more efficiently: no specific figure mentioned
• Total budget for on-the-ground environmental work such as pest eradication, invasive species programs, etc.: no specific figure mentioned

Sources:

• Clean Energy Council
• Contify.com (Copyright 2017)