$1 billion Renewable Energy Fund for local communities and councils

The NSW Greens have today announced a new election policy delivering a $1billion Renewable Energy Fund created to match local investments inrenewable projects dollar for dollar.
The fund is a $1billion co-investment scheme, with the government puttingup matching dollar for dollar funds invested by local councils andcommunity co-operatives.
The fund will include:

   - A rigorous assessment process that will identify the most cost effective and environmentally sustainable energy projects that can be built during the four-year program, delivering the benefits back to our local communities.


   - Reforming the energy retailer and supplier rules eliminating the barriers to small and medium scale renewable energy projects accessing the grid and providing the ability for Local Electricity Trading between community projects and consumers.

   - Require all tenders to include a minimum number of apprenticeships to up skill young workers and reduce regional youth unemployment.