Australia Can Have Aluminium And Renewable Energy

Australia Can Have Vibrant Aluminium and Renewable Energy Industries

MEDIA RELEASE

6th August 2009

Australia can secure its competitive advantage in aluminium along with an expansion in renewable energy. The Australian aluminium industry presented today to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee on the Renewable Energy Target (RET) legislation. Company representatives from Alcoa, Rio Tinto Alcan, Hydro and Tomago outlined how the current RET proposal will dramatically reduce local expenditure on maintenance, wages and investment in Australia's aluminium smelters, directly impacting the regional communities in which they operate.

Australian Aluminium Council Executive Director, Miles Prosser, said "We are proposing a simple solution that delivers a healthy renewable energy industry and maintains Australia's leadership in the global aluminium industry."

"The Australian Aluminium Council is calling for two key amendments that would deliver certainty and growth. These amendments are: delivering a true 90% RET exemption for electricity-intensive industries; and decoupling the Renewable Energy Bill from the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme."

Mr Prosser suggested "these amendments don't reduce the incentives for renewable energy and would secure growth for Australia in both the aluminium producing and renewable energy generating industries".

Mr Prosser called on the Government, Opposition and minor parties to work cooperatively to implement these changes and provide certainty to Australia's renewable energy industry and all energy-dependent industries.

Further information:
Miles Prosser Executive Director
Australian Aluminium Council
0429 923 605

[email protected]

www.aluminium.org.au

SOURCE: Australian Aluminium Council