Don't Sell us out to Climate Change

[markB]

The NSW Government is preparing to sell our publicly owned energy utilities. This could see our electricity taken over by multinational companies more interested in profits than preventing dangerous climate change.

The sale of state owned energy utilities has huge implications for future energy use and should at least be deferred until there is more certainty around emissions trading, carbon pricing and international climate change obligations.

Giving the private sector control of our electricity industry will likely:

Drive up energy use - Private companies will make bigger profits if consumers use more electricity.

Lead to a new baseload power station being built - One of the rationales for privatisation is to get the private sector to invest in new power generation.

Undermine federal and international efforts to cut energy use - Private companies will lobby against a carbon tax and other regulation.

Write to Premier, Morris Iemma, urging him to defer any decision regarding the sale of NSW electricity assets until there is more certainty around emissions trading, carbon pricing and international climate change obligations. You can send an e-letter at:
www.nccnsw.org.au/index.php?option=com_fabrik&Itemid=1070#letter