With the federal energy policy in tatters, individuals have been getting ready to take on the energy challenge themselves and Tristran Parade in Mullumbimby has just become the first street to declare their commitment to create a clean-energy future.
They have joined the Repower Byron Shire campaign that aims through three simple steps to encourage people to switch to purchasing ethical electricity, reduce power consumption and produce their own solar power.
Tristran Parade already has 75 per cent of the 17 households in the street using ‘ethical electricity’.
Ethical electricity is defined as renewable energy sourced from retailers that do not support fossil fuels; specifically, not investing in coal, coal seam gas, nuclear or native-forest biomass.
This is the first street declaration as part of the Repower Byron Shire campaign.
According to Dave Rawlins, COREM vice-president and Repower Byron Shire co-founder, the campaign is based on the the highly successful Lock the Gate model, and aims to show residents how to ‘flick fossil fuels’.
He said, ‘We know people want to take affirmative climate action.’
‘NSW residents have among the highest carbon footprints in the entire world. Zero Emissions Byron has estimated that 40 per cent of household carbon pollution comes from using fossil-fuelled electricity. Committing to switch to an ethical electricity provider is the quickest and easiest way a household can support renewable energy, and it’s something most of us can do,’ he explained.
‘Repower has devised an easy-to-understand chart that explains the pros and cons of power suppliers operating in the area, allowing individuals to choose for themselves.
‘Most Tristran Parade residents have switched to locally owned Enova Energy, finding it to be cost competitive, and also being committed to reinvesting 50 per cent of its profits to creating a local renewable-energy future.’
Those keen to make a their commitment to reducing its use of fossil fuels can get in touch with Repower – a collaboration of COREM, Zero Emissions Byron and Enova Community Energy.
For more information visit www.repowerbyron.org.
Disclaimer: The Echo is an Enova Energy shareholder.
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