$50,000 GRANTS FOR SOLAR PANELS, WATER TANKS IN SCHOOLS October 29, 2007

A Rudd Labor Government will provide schools in Bathurst, Oberon, Lithgow and the Blue Mountains with $50,000 grants for solar panels, water tanks and other energy efficiency measures.

Labor candidate for Macquarie, Bob Debus, said today that Labor's $489 million National Solar Schools Plan would allow local schools to apply for:

· Grants of up to $20,000 to install solar panels
· Grants of up to $30,000 to install rainwater tanks, solar hot water systems, lighting upgrades and other energy efficiency measures

" It is critical that we deal with climate change for the future of our children," said Mr Debus.

" The best place to start is with practical plans to save energy and water in our schools.

" The commitment means:

· Each rainwater tank could save up to 40,000 litres of fresh water a year, based on a 10,000-litre tank
· Each school that installs solar panels could save up to 2.8 tonnes in carbon emissions a year on average (based on 2kW solar power system)

Today only 0.05 per cent of Australia's energy needs are being met by using solar energy – a mark of 11 years of failure by the Howard Government to act on climate change.

Federal Labor's Solar Schools Plan builds on Labor's commitment to provide:

· Up to $10,000 in low interest Green Loans for practical water and energy measures in homes
· Up to $1000 rebates for solar and heat-pump hot water systems in homes
· Up to $500 rebates for 500,000 homes to help install new piping for grey water use or rainwater tanks
· A new 10-star appliance rating system and Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards to fast-track smart efficient technology

" Only Labor has a plan to deal with the great challenges presented by climate change," said Mr Debus.

" Kevin Rudd will act urgently and decisively by ratifying the Kyoto Protocol and investing in renewable energy like wind, solar and clean coal – to protect our economy and our kids' future.

" Climate change is not just an environmental challenge. It is an economic challenge, a moral challenge and a challenge to our long-term national security."