If the O'Farrell government's draft wind farm guidelines become law, it will be another nail in the coffin for the renewable energy sector in NSW, according to Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge and Planning spokesperson.
Mr Shoebridge said: "Not content with delivering a death blow to the solar industry, today Premier Barry O'Farrell has proposed a set of laws that will kill off the state's wind generation sector too.
"There are two industries ready to compete, right now, for NSW's future energy needs: coal seam gas and wind. If this draft plan becomes law, the government has effectively chosen a destructive coal seam gas future for NSW, over the clean, green and jobs-rich wind energy sector.
"The anti-wind zealots inside Premier Barry O'Farrell's cabinet are spreading the same poisoned propaganda that led the Baillieu government in Victoria to make most of that state a no-go zone for wind technology.
"Mr O'Farrell's government is looking to destroy this state's wind energy industry on the basis of anti-scientific mumbo-jumbo.
"NSW is abandoning the most cost-effective option for reducing its carbon footprint which in effect means it is giving the green light for coal seam gas projects across the state to meet future energy needs.
"By pandering to the climate denialists and wind witch doctors, the NSW government is squandering the chance for the creation of four thousand new green jobs.
"The guidelines released today are delivering for Shooters and Fishers MPs Robert Borsak and Robert Brown and their mates in the anti-wind, anti-science climate denialists movement.
"Today we appear to be seeing the results of the grubby deal that saw the Shooters and Fishers party vote with the O'Farrell government to slash the police death and disability scheme.
"The government has a choice to secure the state's energy supply for the future. Blind to public opinion and proper scientific evidence Premier Barry O'Farrell has chosen coal seam gas over the cheaper, cleaner wind alternative," Mr Shoebridge said.
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