Wind energy criticism 'betrays farm sector'. 29/06/2006. ABC News Online


Victoria's Energy Minister Theo Theophanous is demanding Federal Agriculture Minister Peter McGauran apologise for his criticism of wind energy.
Mr McGauran has told a gathering of dairy farmers that wind energy is only viable with government subsidies, and windfarms are a threat to rural communities.
He says wind farms are not a cleaner alternative to coal fired power stations and should only be allowed in places where the community wants them.
"Wind farms don't live up to the hype that they are an environmental saviour and a serious alternate energy source," he said.
"And the effect they can have on their neighbours are so serious it means they should not be allowed to get away with the exaggerated claims, their claims are fraudulent."
But Mr Theophanous says Mr McGauran's criticism is a betrayal of the agriculture sector.
"Does Peter McGauran care that we might have 30 per cent less water for agricultural purposes over the next 50 years as a result of global warming?" he said.
"What he said is a disgrace, he should come out and apologise and if he doesn't come out and apologise somebody else in the Howard Government should come out and say, well he's wrong."
Susan Jeanes from the Renewable Energy Generators' of Australia says Mr McGauran's comments are disappointing.
"I suspect that it's better that we let the Environment Minister comment on matters relating to renewable energy and climate change and let the Agriculture Minister comment on matters relating to agriculture," she said.
Ms Jeanes says the entire national electricity market was built with Government money.
"Scientists around the world have predicted that we need to reduce emissions by up to 60 per cent by 2050, emissions from Australia's electricity sector are predicted to be at 250 per cent above 1990 levels by 2050," she said.
"You can not do nothing and just sit back and just wait for a solution because it's not going to come without some form of assistance."
Six hundred wind farms have so far been built or been approved in Australia under the Coalition Government.
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