After promising to keep the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) during their electoral campaign, the Federal Government has reneged and now aims to close ARENA forever. Enter Ricky Muir…

The Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party senator is said to announce amendments to the carbon tax repeal bill to stop the proposed cuts. In order for ARENA to be saved, Senator Muir needs the support of the three of the Palmer United Party (PUP) senators of which he has an alliance.

Greens Leader Christine Milne said on Tuesday: “The Greens welcome Ricky Muir’s support for the renewable energy agency and we hope that he will bring his Palmer United Party colleagues along with him.”

The carbon tax repeal bill contained cuts to ARENA. In abolishing the agency, the federal government is said to reclaim $1.3 billion in funding that was yet to be assigned to projects.

With Clive Palmer and Al Gore on board and now Ricky Muir, it may be possible to save ARENA and more renewable energy in Australia. The Palmer United Party has said that they will support the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, the Climate Change Authority and the renewable energy target but it will vote to abolish the carbon tax.

“ARENA has played a critical role in supporting the innovation and development of the renewable energy sector, particularly supporting large-scale solar projects, solar R&D and the emergence of geothermal and marine energy,” said the CEC’s Kane Thornton recently.

Senator Muir said he is concerned about research and development and he wants to see “legislation in place that preserves it and expands it.”

“Renewable energy is the way of the future and it’s something that very much interests me,” Senator Muir reportedly told AAP on Tuesday.

[dropcaps round=”yes”]♦[/dropcaps]Since publishing this article, the Senate has rejected a Government move to fast track the repeal of the carbon tax through parliament as a result of Senator Ricky Muir’s vote! 🙂