Architects of energy policy tell states they can sign up even if they don't agree with emissions targets

The architects of the national energy guarantee have told state governments they can sign on to the policy mechanism without endorsing the Turnbull government’s low emissions reduction target. The Energy Security Board intervention in the fraught debate is an attempt to open the way for a compromise at a make-or-break meeting in August.

States and territories do not need to accept Malcolm Turnbull’s
emissions targets to agree on the national energy guarantee, the
board that designed it has said. 

A final policy paper circulated to the states and territories ahead of the looming meeting, seen by Guardian Australia, appeals to members of the Coag energy council to approve the Neg mechanism even if they oppose the Turnbull government’s emissions reduction target for electricity of 26% by 2030.

The Energy Security Board has told the states and territories: “Support by the energy council for the detailed design of the guarantee mechanism, as summarised in this paper, does not constitute approval, agreement or endorsement of the elements of the emissions reduction requirement that are the responsibility of the Australian government.”

Read the story from The Guardian by Katharine Murphy - “Architects of energy policy tell states they can sign up even if they don't agree with emissions targets.”