Ham, bacon and cogeneration

The Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus has commended Don KR Castlemaine and its fellow members of a power-reduction project for its efforts.

Don KR in Castlemaine is a leading Australian processor of ham, bacon, salami and smallgoods and also a leading member of the Maine’s Power project, a collaboration of local business, community and government organisations working to cut carbon pollution at Castlemaine’s largest energy users.

“By improving energy efficiency and installing on-site ‘cogeneration’ where heat energy is also utilised, Don KRC has achieved a very substantial reduction in carbon pollution,” Dreyfus said.

“The government’s plan to price carbon will provide incentives for all businesses to reduce their emissions and support firms, like Don KR, to transition and invest in the clean energy technologies of the future.

The $1.2 billion Clean Technology Program aims to help improve energy efficiency in manufacturing and support research and development in low-pollution technologies by providing manufacturers with access to the:

• $800 million Clean Technology Investment Program, providing grants to manufacturers to support investments in energy-efficient capital equipment and low-pollution technologies, processes and products.
• $200 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program providing businesses in the food processing, metal forging and foundry industries with grants for similar energy-efficiency improvements ($150 million for food processors, $50 million for metal forging and foundries).
• $200 million Clean Technology Innovation Program to support business investment in research and development in the areas of renewable energy, low pollution technology and energy efficiency.

More information on the government’s Clean Energy Future package is available at www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au.