Lithgow Environment Group announced a plan to promote renewable energy, and is calling for volunteers to get involved.
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The groups’ first priority is to raise funds to install solar panels on charity buildings around Lithgow, and encourage businesses to go solar.
“We’ll be looking for investors to put solar panels on the roof of businesses with daytime energy usage. Then business owners can pay back the installation at a rate pegged less than their former energy bill. In the end they own the system,” LEG secretary Thomas Ebersoll explained.
LEG will also lobby EnergyAustralia to create a pumped hydro scheme between Lake Lyell and Thompson’s Dam.
Mr Ebersoll said the plan aimed to reduce Lithgow’s reliance on the coal industry.
“Lithgow has a great tradition of surviving transitions…Lithgow didn’t survive these transitions by calling for more of the same but by getting on with something new.”
Mr Ebersoll announced the renewable energy campaign at The Greens’ Q&A held at Lithgow Workies on Monday, August 1.
“This has to be grassroots to make it happen. Politicians can talk a lot but we are the ones that can actually do it,” he said.
LEG will establish a ‘Lithgow Renewable Energy Hub’ office in the Hoskins Uniting Church administration building.
The hub will open on Thursday, August 10.