Have Your Say on the Future of Energy in WA
Did you know that the Office of Energy has just released the Strategic Energy Initiative, Energy 2031, Directions Paper and it is open for public submission until the 6th of May?
You can find the paper at www.energy.wa.gov.au
I could be wrong, but I believe that this is the time where the community has most potential to influence the long term energy strategy taken by the State.
Given the context of increasing threat from climate change and international pressure for action, political instability in oil-producing nations, resource scarcity and the list goes on …, what we decide now will have significant impact on our economy, environment, security and way of life. This relates to what we in sustainability call, ‘intergenerational equity’. Importantly, it is also a crucial moment in determining the approach taken to governance over this issue - for example I personally believe there needs to be a greater acknowledgement of the need for community engagement on these issues and public participation in decision making.
I attended the Beyond Zero Emissions launch of their zero-emissions plan for stationary energy earlier this week. One of the take-away messages was that in order to make progress in reducing carbon emissions, community action and leadership is more essential than ever; our political system is proving inadequate to drive significant changes on such a complex issue. I mentioned before that I am a firm believer in the link between sustainability and community engagement and this issue certainly highlights the point. The community can not only ‘push’ policy-makers away from potentially bad decisions by alerting them to the seriousness of pitfalls, but can also ‘pull’ policy in a positive direction also by suggesting alternate options.
In relation to the Strategic Energy Initiative, Western Power will be providing a response, including input from our internal sustainability professionals , however I’d rather you made your own mind up and had your opinion heard. If you have suggestions as to how to improve the strategies mentioned, ideas for alternate strategies (for example what sort of support would you find useful in helping your community become energy-self-sufficient) or think there are priorities which are not given sufficient attention, I urge you to consider making a submission. A useful point of contact might be your local government sustainability officer or equivalent position.
Have your say about the future of energy in WA through a range of means:
Written submissions on the Directions Paper will be accepted until 6 May 2011. Post your written submission to:
Energy2031 Directions Paper
Office of Energy
Level 9, 197 St Georges Terrace
PERTH WA 6000
Alternatively, you can email your submission or comments to energy2031@energy.wa.gov.au,
If you don’t feel that you understand enough about what structure the submission should be in, I strongly recommend calling the Office of Energy and asking for guidance – facilitating community input is essential.
Or let’s start a conversation on this blog?
And of course, pass this information onto anyone else you feel may be interested.
There is also a public consultation forum on the SEI Directions Paper run by the Office of Energy on the Monday the 4th of April. See their website for more details.
claire
Reader Comments (1)
I have also decided to organise a community response to the SEI in Fremantle, my local area. It is being held on the 12th of April. Open to all to be a part of.
You can view the invite via Googledoc https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B9KkgqZD8_eOMjIzNmE0NGUtNmQ1ZC00ZmRlLWI3ZjQtZTNkMjQzNWM4YTI1&hl=en
and it is an event on Facebook - search for Weapons of Mass Creation