COMMUNITY KEEPS LIGHTS ON

Don McGregor (left) moderating the forum on the politics of electricity which featured Greens MLC John Kaye (centre) and local power industry worker Rex Drummond (Right)

The forum on the science and technology of electricity was moderated by El Gibbs (left) and featured (left to right) Dr Mark Diesendorf from the University of NSW, local Climate Change campaigner Liz Bastian and electricity industry expert Simon Bolt.

All of the forum participants took part in a Q&A session with the 80 odd members of the audience.

PeoplePower Blue Mountains Press Release August 12

Over 80 people braved snowy conditions in Katoomba on August 10 to hear expert speakers outline problems, including privatisation and the impact of climate change, that threaten Blue Mountains electricity supplies.

Speakers including Dr Mark Diesendorf from the University of New South Wales, industry expert Simon Bolt and Greens MP Dr John Kaye rejected the need for a new base load generator, pointing to the need to address energy efficiency urgently to ensure that households and business can use less electricity as prices go up.

The panel pointed out the inefficiency of current power supplies, the risk of dependence on increasingly expensive carbon based power and the need for electricity to become sustainable.

"Change is inevitable," said Phil Doyle from PeoplePower Blue Mountains who co-sponsored the forum. "We learnt from the experts that we need to manage that change so the cost doesn't fall on households and businesses that are already under financial pressure, that means keeping power in publicly owned hands."

Local MP Phil Koperberg, who gave the keynote address, reaffirmed his opposition to the existing power privatisation proposal, and talked about the need for solutions to be found for a basic necessity in this day and age, electricity being something Blue Mountains households need to cook and keep warm with.

Out of the forum PeoplePower Blue Mountains is developing a Community Charter For The Future Of Electricity.

"There were some great solutions put forward, from energy bonds through to the development of micro-generators powered by renewable energy - these are initiatives that we as a community can push for," said Doyle "We look forward to seeing as many community members as possible involved in developing this charter, which will form the basis of where our electricity will be coming from in the future."

PeoplePower Blue Mountains welcomed a unanimous vote by Blue Mountains City Council to oppose power privatisation on a motion from councillor Terri Hamilton.

The community group will be writing to all declared Blue Mountains City Council election candidates for the asking them to keep electricity in full public ownership and to support initiatives that secured reliable, sustainable and affordable electricity.

"Give Me The Shekels"

The ABC is reporting on a protest outside the ALP's Sussex Street headquarters by power workers and consumers as Morris Iemma fronted the party's Admin Committee today (August7, 2008).

Protesters accused Iemma of selling out the state and asked him to "show us the shekels".

Here's how the ABC reported it:

New South Wales Premier Morris Iemma says he has held a 'frank' discussion with Labor's Administrative Committee about electricity privatisation and they plan to keep talking.

Mr Iemma says the Government has never closed the door on discussions and he is still willing to consider any proposition that can deliver on the state's interests.

But the Premier found himself struggling to be heard over the sounds of a heckler at a post-meeting media conference.

The man shouted 'You're a sell out' and 'Give me the shekels' as Mr Iemma tried to explain what was discussed.

The issue has caused deep divisions within the party and a small group of power workers demonstrating outside the meeting said Morris Iemma's days are numbered.

Graeme McNeill from the Liddell Power Station, in the NSW Hunter Valley, said rank and file members feel absolutely betrayed by the Premier.

"They are ready to walk. I'm telling you I've never seen anything like it," he said.

"I've been in the industry for 26 years and I've never seen Labor supporters ready to pack up and walk. They're not going to forget."

Mr McNeill believes the issue will cost Mr Iemma his leadership.

And here's how 2GB LiveNews reported it:

NSW Premier Morris Iemma has told state Labor officials his door remains open for negotiation over his proposed electricity sell-off.

Mr Iemma arrived at NSW ALP headquarters in Sydney about 9.30am (AEST) today ahead of his scheduled 11am meeting with the party's administrative committee.

The committee had requested Mr Iemma attend to explain his actions in defying the party, which had overwhelmingly rejected Mr Iemma's electricity sell-off plans.

The premier left the meeting just before 1.30pm saying discussions had been frank and he'd stressed he was still willing to negotiate on the matter.

"The government didn't end discussions. We didn't close the door. The door is open for further discussions," Mr Iemma told reporters.

"Their (alternative proposals) have obviously got to meet the objectives of the state and that's to secure our supply."

While speaking to the media, Mr Iemma was drowned out by an anti-privatisation protester, who claimed the premier was a "sell-out".

About 10 protesters also flanked Mr Iemma with anti-privatisation placards which read "Power Sell Offs You Will Pay More".

Mr Iemma said that during discussions he outlined the government's package and the reasons for the sell-off.

The NSW government claims it will save $15 billion under its plan to lease out its power stations and sell all but the poles and wires assets of Energy Australia, Integral Energy and Country Energy.

From the Sydney Morning Herald - a further example of how the free market behaves in a when it comes to electricity.

Extra electricity costs may be passed on

Electricity companies intend to pass on any extra costs they face under an emissions trading scheme (ETS) while also accepting compensation from the Rudd government.

Clauses for "carbon adjustment" were now being added to future electricity supply contracts, according to a Fairfax report on Thursday.

A lobby group also says the move will see the coal-fired sector pass on the cost of tackling climate change to the consumer.

"A large amount of cash is going to be given to the coal-fired sector under the Rudd government's green paper, yet there will be no discount to consumers, says Total Environment Centre (TEC) director Jeff Angel.

"There's a simple way out of this - don't give the coal-fired generators any subsidies."

The TEC has obtained the December minutes of a meeting of the Australian Financial Markets Association, which shows the addition of "carbon adjustment" clauses was discussed for new electricity supply contracts.

Fairfax also said an anonymous business customer had said that when negotiating a new supply contract, a supplier insisted on a "pass through" clause for any new carbon-related costs.

"It wouldn't surprise me if it was being written into contracts now," Energy Supply Association of Australia chief executive Brad Page also says.

"At the moment there is a period of extreme uncertainty until we have a sense of what the carbon price will be.

Where Were You When The Lights Went Out?

Where Were You When The Lights Went Out?

A Public Forum on the Future of Blue Mountains Electricity Supply

EXPERT SPEAKERS - YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Phil Koperberg MP, (member for the state seat of Blue Mountains)
Dr Mark Diesendorf, (Institute of Environmental studies, University of
New South Wales)
Dr John Kaye MLC, (upper house member of parliament)
Lis Bastian, (climate change campaigner)
Simon Bolt (electrical engineer and electricity industry expert)
...and more

plus a chance for you to have your say!

Privatisation
Managing Demand
Renewable Electricity
The Future Of Coal
Carbon Trading

Learn about the future of your electricity supply
Help Develop A Charter for the future of your electricity

1pm - 4pm Sunday August 10
Katoomba Civic Centre
Katoomba Street Katoomba

Put on by PeoplePower Blue Mountains and Walerawang Power Unions
peoplepowerbm@gmail.com 0402 167 136

Hooray For Huntingwood

Scott McNamara from the United Services Union explains what's at stake for Integral Energy workers and customers.

Members of PeoplePower Blue Mountains descended from the hills to rally in support of employees at the head office of Electricity retailer Integral Energy in Huntingwood, near Blacktown in Western Sydney.

Gerry Binder, Jules Vovos, Peter Hack and Phil Doyle joined with about 50 Integral employees and local residents to oppose the merging of Integral with electricity generator Eraring.

The vertical integration is designed to fatten the calf before it's sold off on the privatisation market. The rally, which was well supported by passing traffic and Integral employees, was also attended by Blacktown state MP Paul Gibson and Greens MLC John Kaye.

(L to R) Gerry Binder, Jules Vovos, Phil and Michelle (from Integral Energy) and Peter Hack outside the Integral Energy HQ at Huntingwood.

PeoplePower Press Release

Integral Jobs Threatened by Privatisation

Blue Mountains residents travelled to the headquarters of Integral
Energy last Friday to oppose moves by the State Government to ready
the electricity retailer for privatisation.

They joined over 50 Integral Energy workers and Western Sydney
residents at a protest outside the Huntingwood Head office against the
merging of the Blue Mountains' leading electricity provider with
electricity generator Eraring.

"This is all about fattening the electricity calf before the
sell-off," said Phil Doyle from PeoplePower Blue Mountains. "Morris
Iemma is on notice that we will leave no stone unturned until this
ill-thought through privatisation is stopped."

A spokesman for the Integral workers, Scott Macnamara, said that jobs
would be threatened and bills would rise as a result of the State
Government's privatisation push.

"Prices are going to go up," said Macnamara. "But in the hands of the
private sector, we will see electricity prices soar."

The rally, which was well supported by passing traffic, was also
attended by MPs including Greens MLC Dr John Kaye.

Dr Kaye is joining a range of experts in Katoomba this Sunday to
discuss the future of Blue Mountains electricity supply.

He will be joined by renewable energy expert, Dr Mark Diesendorf; Rex
Drummond, who works for electricity generator Delta Electricity; as
well as other experts in the science, technology, economics and
politics of the energy debate.

"This is a great chance for the Blue Mountains community to find out
the facts about the future of our electricity supply before the lights
go out," said Doyle.

The forum will be held at Katoomba Civic Centre from 1-4pm on Sunday
August 10 and admission is free.

More information is available on the new PeoplePower Blue Mountains
website at peoplepowerbm.blogspot.com or email:
peoplepowerbm@gmail.com.

Here's how ABC reported it:

Electricity merger 'will cause job losses'

The United Services Union says jobs will be lost when Integral Energy is merged with Eraring Energy ahead of the New South Wales Government's electricity privatisation.

Union spokesman Scott Macnamara says workers are protesting outside Integral Energy at Huntingwood in Sydney's west.

Mr Macnamara says the workers are not convinced they will be protected.

"The employment protections that the Government has spoken about we do not believe to be guaranteed for this process," he said.

"They're currently transferring, forcibly transferring, 70 staff as of today into the new company. It flies in the face of their guarantees saying that staff could stay with the state-owned corporation."

Update July 31

PeoplePower Blue Mountains - Update July 31

In this update:

Upcoming events

Campaign Update

Public Forum August 10

Super Saturday August 16

Penrith Show

PeoplePower Blog!

What you can do

Upcoming Events - August

Tuesday 5 - People Power meeting, 7:30pm, upstairs, Blackburn’s Family Hotel. Come along and get involved as we gear up towards putting an end to the power privatisation proposal!

Sunday 10 - Blue Mountains Public Forum on the Future of Electricity DETAILS BELOW!

Saturday 16 - ‘Super Saturday’ anti-power privatisation street stalls - We need volunteers, email peoplepowerbm@gmail.com to be a part of securing your electricity future

Saturday/Sunday August 30/31 - We have booked a stall at the Penrith Show on Saturday and Sunday the 30th and 31st of August. Rex Drummond is the contact person for this event and his number is 0439 581 413.

Campaign update

People Power Blue Mountains met on July 22 and discussed the upcoming forum and the broader campaign.

The statewide campaign is gearing up for Super Saturday on August 16. At our meeting on August 5 we will be deciding whether to hold stalls in the Blue Mountains or to assist the campaign around Penrith/St Marys.

Public Forum

This will be held August 10th, from 1-4pm at Katoomba Civic Centre - the next People Power meeting on August 5 will continue the planning for this forum.

We have confirmed speakers. They include energy expert Dr Mark Diesendorf from the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of NSW, prominent political campaigner against power privatisation, Dr John Kaye MLC and power industry worker and activist Rex Drummond. Further speakers are being finalised.

We have A3 posters for the event and people interested in distributing them can contact via return email or call Phil on 0402 167 136.

Especially useful would be people with access to an A3 photocopier so we can run off more black and white posters.

Banners have been organised for Katoomba and Hazelbrook - the Hazelbrook one is already up and looks terrific! Well done to all concerned.

We are planning to use the forum as a springboard for developing a charter on the future of our electricity/energy needs in the Blue Mountains. We can then lobby our elected representatives to adopt this charter.

Super Saturday - August 16

We will be making a decision about where we want to put our energy on this important day. A number of people have already volunteered but we could use more, so get in touch if you can help.

Penrith Show

We have booked a stall at the Penrith Show on Saturday and Sunday the 30th and 31st of August. Rex Drummond is the contact person for this event and his number is 0439 581 413.

Local council elections

We will be writing to all declared council election candidates asking them to support both our plebiscite and keeping electricity in full public ownership.

People Power Blog!

We now have our very own Blog, which is full of all the latest news on power privatisation. Check it out at http://peoplepowerbm.blogspot.com/

More Good News!

With Miranda Devine now supporting Power Privatisation we’re bound to win.

--

What you can do

Get involved now! Take action! Make a difference! The person that stands between Costa and Iemma and Power Privatisation is YOU.

Things that you can do include:

Tell Phil Koperberg you support his opposition to power privatisation

Contact Phil Koperberg:

Phone (02) 4751 3298
Fax (02) 4751 1245
bluemountains@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Write to the Gazette

It only takes a few minutes and has a BIG impact. You can email your letters to: editorial.bmgazette@ruralpress.com

Letters to the Editor

Blue Mountains Gazette

274 Macquarie Road

Springwood 2777

“Let People Decide” Call On Power Privatisation

“Let People Decide” Call On Power Privatisation

Fresh from successfully stalling plans by the State Government to sell Electricity assets owned by the NSW public, local campaigners are calling on the decision to be taken to the people.

“We were really pleased that Phil Koperberg came out in opposition to Costa’s ill thought out proposal,” said El Gibbs from PeoplePower Blue Mountains. “His principled stand sent a message from the ordinary people of the Blue Mountains that our power is not for sale.”

Political commentators agreed that Koperberg’s public response was a major factor in Michael Costa taking privatisation off the table until September.

“We’ve won a battle, but this is far from over,” said Gibbs. “It’s important that the people have a say on what is, after all, one fifth of what we own collectively in this state.”

At a packed public meeting in Katoomba in late May Phil Koperberg floated the idea of a plebiscite on power privatisation, a suggestion that has been eagerly supported by local anti-power privatisation campaigners.

“We didn’t get a say before the last state election, so the upcoming council elections provide a perfect opportunity for mountains residents to have their say and for Phil Koperberg to measure the community response to Michael Costa’s proposal,” said Gibbs.

PeoplePower Blue Mountains is moving to develop a community-based response to the challenge of securing the future of local energy needs

A forum has been scheduled for August 10 under the name of “Where Were You When The Lights Went Out” which is designed for people to get the latest information - scientific, economic, technical and political - on where our community stands on the future of energy.

“We’re just ordinary people trying to find out the best and latest information on what this crisis means for the Blue Mountains,” said Gibbs. “We’ll be getting along some speakers that are really across these issues, and it is a great opportunity for people in the Blue Mountains to bring themselves up to speed on this issue.”

The forum will run from 1pm to 4pm at Katoomba Civic Centre on Sunday August 10 and entry is free.

--

For more information contact El Gibbs on 0419 290 788

July 21 Update

PeoplePower Blue Mountains - Update July 21

In this update:

- Upcoming events

- Campaign Update

- Public Seminar

- Local council elections - Plebiscite on power privatisation

- PeoplePower Blog!

- Help Get Our Message Out

- Write to the Gazette

Upcoming Events

July

Tuesday 22 - People Power meeting, 7:30pm, upstairs, Blackburn’s Family Hotel. Come along and get involved as we gear up towards putting an end to the power privatisation proposal!

August

Sunday 10 - Blue Mountains Public seminar about power sell off DETAILS BELOW!

Saturday 16 - ‘Super Saturday’ anti-power privatisation street stalls: Katoomba, Blackheath, Springwood, Blaxland - We need volunteers, email peoplepowerbm@gmail.com to be a part of securing your electricity future

September

Saturday 13 - Local council election

Campaign Update

Hi everyone

People Power Blue Mountains met on June 8 and discussed three major issues.

First was the public seminar idea, which is discussed below. Secondly we talked about helping out other parts of the campaign, especially in Western Sydney. Finally we talked about lobbying for a plebiscite to be conducted in conjunction with the council elections.

Public Seminar

This will be held August 10th, from 1-4pm at Katoomba Civic Centre - the next People Power meeting on July 22 will continue the planning for this forum.

At this stage the structure is along the lines of:

- A Keynote speaker

- A forum on the science and technology around the future of energy, including experts on renewables, demand management and other technology.

- A second forum on the politics and economics of our electricity supply so we can find out what we can do with the science.

- Finally, a plenary forum where people can put their two bobs in of the back of what they’ve heard from the experts.

This is a great opportunity to hear from the experts about what will be the future for our electricity supply. Post Garnaut, and with the threat of privatisation hanging over our 240volts, there has never been a better time to get informed about the future of this essential resource.

Hopefully we can use the forum as a springboard for developing a charter on the future of our electricity/energy needs in the Blue Mountains. We can then lobby our elected representatives to adopt this charter.

In the lead up to the forum El Gibbs is chasing speakers, while Don, Jules and Gerry are working on a banner. Posters are being organised and we are sending out a big call for people to help promote the event. Please get in touch if you can distribute posters and/or flyers.

Local council elections

We will be writing to all declared council election candidates asking them to support both our plebiscite and keeping electricity in full public ownership.

People Power Blog!

We now have our very own Blog, which will be being launched after tomorrow night’s meeting! Come along and find out more or stay tuned for the link!

Getting Our Message Out

Here is a copy of the release we sent out to local media following our last meeting

Press release

“Let People Decide” Call On Power Privatisation

Fresh from successfully stalling plans by the State Government to sell Electricity assets owned by the NSW public, local campaigners are calling on the decision to be taken to the people.

“We were really pleased that Phil Koperberg came out in opposition to Costa’s ill thought out proposal,” said El Gibbs from PeoplePower Blue Mountains. “His principled stand sent a message from the ordinary people of the Blue Mountains that our power is not for sale.”

Political commentators agreed that Koperberg’s public response was a major factor in Michael Costa taking privatisation off the table until September.

“We’ve won a battle, but this is far from over,” said Gibbs. “It’s important that the people have a say on what is, after all, one fifth of what we own collectively in this state.”

At a packed public meeting in Katoomba in late May Phil Koperberg floated the idea of a plebiscite on power privatisation, a suggestion that has been eagerly supported by local anti-power privatisation campaigners.

“We didn’t get a say before the last state election, so the upcoming council elections provide a perfect opportunity for mountains residents to have their say and for Phil Koperberg to measure the community response to Michael Costa’s proposal,” said Gibbs.

PeoplePower Blue Mountains is moving to develop a community-based response to the challenge of securing the future of local energy needs

A forum has been scheduled for August 10 under the name of “Where Were You When The Lights Went Out” which is designed for people to get the latest information - scientific, economic, technical and political - on where our community stands on the future of energy.

“We’re just ordinary people trying to find out the best and latest information on what this crisis means for the Blue Mountains,” said Gibbs. “We’ll be getting along some speakers that are really across these issues, and it is a great opportunity for people in the Blue Mountains to bring themselves up to speed on this issue.”

The forum will run from 1pm to 4pm at Katoomba Civic Centre on Sunday August 10 and entry is free.

--

For more information contact El Gibbs on 0419 290 788

--

Get involved now! Take action! Make a difference! The person that stands between Costa and Iemma and Power Privatisation is YOU.

Things that you can do include:

Tell Phil Koperberg you support his opposition to power privatisation

Contact Phil Koperberg:

Phone (02) 4751 3298
Fax (02) 4751 1245
bluemountains@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Write to the Gazette

It only takes a few minutes and has a BIG impact. You can email your letters to: editorial.bmgazette@ruralpress.com

Or post them to:

Letters to the Editor

Blue Mountains Gazette

274 Macquarie Road

Springwood 2777

Iemma's Dilemma

The brilliant YouTube from a bunker in Macquarie Street. A must see, Click here to view.

Mountains Message to Pollies - Don't Sell Our Power

Mountains Message to Pollies - Don't Sell Our Power

Members of People Power Blue Mountains took their message of
opposition to the sale of NSW electricity assets to the ALP conference
in Darling Harbour on Saturday morning.

"We are determined to let the ALP delegates know how strong the
community in the mountains feels about power privitisation and to
support the delegates who voted against this regressive decision by Mr
Iemma and Mr Costa," said People Power
spokesperson, El Gibbs.

Boarding the train at various stations going down the mountain,
concerned Blue Mountains residents braved the morning chill to head to
the big Stop the Sell Off rally outside the NSW ALP conference.
Joining groups from all over NSW, including unions and environmental
organisations, they unveiled their banner in front of the conference
venue.

"There has been an enormous response to our petition, with hundreds of
signatures collected at stalls in Blackheath, Katoomba, Springwood and
Hazelbrook, in recent weeks.

"Residents have spoken about their worry that electricity prices will
increase, and that supply will become less reliable. There are also
key questions about how a private electricity system will be able to
address the practical realities of climate change," said Ms Gibbs.

"We are happy that we were able to take these concerns and let all at
the ALP conference know how our community is feeling on this issue."

Members of PeoplePower Blue Mountains presented
petitions to ALP delegates from the Blue Mountains
urging them to oppose the selloff.

Members of the community who are concerned about electricity
privatisation are urged to contact PeoplePower Blue Mountains on 0419
290 788 or email peoplepowerbm@gmail.com

Interview with Bewn Kruse from the USU on 2UE

Please see link below of Ben Kruse’s interview with 2UE’s Steve Price

http://www.mytalk.com.au/aspx/pages/mediaplayer.aspx?t=audio&w=8801

Beder Report into NSW Power Privatisation

The very influential report by academic Sharon Beder into the NSW electricity privatisation proposal is available online here as a pdf file

The Man from Snowjob River

The Man from Snowjob River

A Poem by Don Morison © Don Morison 2008 (http://unionsong.com/ )

There are surges at the station
For word has got around
That someone thinks power's fit to privatise
Pyremmia Eyemmia and his mate 'Too Mucha' Costa
They're in this plot up to their scheming eyes

Pyremmia Eyemmia? Yes - the man from Snowjob River
Torrents of it flow each time he speaks
With Treasury boffins greedier
Time to confuse the media
Hoodwink the public with selective leaks

At Wang, Liddell and Piper
They must outwit the viper
Essential service! - Keep in public hands!
Organise - don't falter
This program must be altered
Don't govern just for corporate demands!

But 'Fancy Pants the Overpaid' is here to lend a hand
He's been at public-private gigs before
When our Premier hankers
After deals with ... merchant bankers
The public purse is set to end up poor

And now the lights are dimming
With all this budget-trimming
The Man from Snowjob's blackout-prone this hour
He's kept the 'Flintstones' shelfbound
Along with all my other Dee-vee-dees
Can't watch a thing when there's no power!

Eyemmia and Costa
They'll both be on a roster
To meet the Pope in Sydney before long
Spare diesel generation
Could have an application
When the Pope turns on his 'mike' to wow the throng

But Murphy's Law's disruption
A big power interruption!
When the Pontiff lands at Mascot - wait and see
He'll drop and smooch the ashphalt
Then say some words quite heartfelt:
"Oh Sydney's full of candles - just for me!"

But the pollies are still wheeling
They're ducking - and they're dealing
However it turns out - there'll be no pride
In Pyremmia Eyemmia
And his private power dylemmia
As the shock-jocks note the thickness of his hide!

Energy Forum

For more information, phone: 0402 167 136

And so it starts...

Here's our blog, guys. Comments and suggestions please.