Environment Victoria today welcomed news that a geothermal project in the Surf Coast Region would receive an initial grant of $5 million from the State Government to demonstrate feasibility, with a further $20 million promised if the project meets milestones. The funding comes from the Energy Technology Innovation Strategy (ETIS) allocation announced in the 2011-12 State Budget.
Environment Victoria Campaigns Director Mark Wakeham said:
“This is the first significant action the Baillieu Government has taken to support renewable energy since it was elected nearly 12 months ago. It demonstrates that Victoria has clean energy options that can help us move away from polluting coal. In particular the Surf Coast has clean energy options that made last week’s expansion and renewal of the Anglesea Mine for 50 years unnecessary and so disappointing.”
“The ETIS geothermal grant follows a series of Baillieu government decisions that have undermined renewable energy development in Victoria including an illogical attack on wind farms and a disappointing reduction in support for solar power.”
“This decision should be a turning point from which the State Government stops taking Victoria backwards on the environment and climate change.”
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