The inclusion of wood residues as renewable energy by the Federal Government for the purposes of the RET is welcome and strongly supported by the Hodgman Liberal Government.
It is not surprising that the green movement is attempting to demonise the idea of wood residues for renewable energy.
This is about exploring all possible uses for wood residues in order to maximise jobs in the forest industry, and there is no doubt that using wood residue to create renewable energy is preferable to exporting woodchips.
Biomass is a widely used form of renewable energy in Europe and is accepted and promoted by the green movement there. It’s further proof that here in Tasmania the Greens’ real interest is attacking industry and destroying jobs.
It’s equally disappointing that Labor leader Bryan Green remains wedded to the Greens and his inner-city left federal colleagues. His pretence that he supported wood residues as renewable energy yesterday afternoon, coming only hours after he stood nodding for the cameras while Bill Shorten ruled out supporting the idea, was gutless and weak.
Paul Harriss, Minister for Resources
