Energy White Paper gets an F from WA

The new Federal Government energy white paper is a missed opportunity and locks in obsolete and polluting energy sources, the Greens warned today.

Member for the Mining And Pastoral Region Robin Chapple MLC said the paper missed a great opportunity to promote Western Australia as a solar energy powerhouse.

"Western Australia has vast potential for solar power generation, but this paper backs growth in the mining of fossil fuels, particularly coal and gas. This is a white paper that shackles us to the obsolete and dangerous energy sources of the past - when it should have taken a big step towards a renewable energy future."

Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam said the White Paper's call for environmental regulations to be "streamlined" is an alarm bell.

"The current environmental regulations need to be strengthened, not weakened, particularly with the dash for gas underway. Furthermore dependence on gas is a risk to affordability with the price of gas is expected to double over the next decade.

"Minister Ferguson was oddly reticent on the subject today but we know he supports uranium mining and nuclear power - an energy path that is both economically and environmentally bankrupt.

"Renewable energy has no fuel costs, isn't vulnerable to the fluctuations of global prices, is clean, and it never runs out."