World Wildlife Fund-Switzerland (WWF) and Pro Solar, an initiative of Swissolar, have launched a joint petition calling for a levy of CHF 0.10 per kWh on electricity produced from non-renewable energy sources. The organizations believe that this would help reduce impact on the environment without putting undue pressure on households and the wider economy.
More than half of Switzerland’s electricity comes from coal, nuclear power, or natural gas. The petition proposes that the full cost for such energy be borne by those who use it, and not the whole community. Citizens who continue to use “dirty power†would pay CHF 25 more per month for their electricity.
“With a tax on dirty power, we introduce the principle of polluter-pays,†says WWF’s CEO, Thomas Vellacott. President of Swissolar, Roger Nordmann, who is also a National Council member, believes that the government “simply wishes to replace Swiss nuclear power by purchasing foreign dirty powerâ€. The proposed tax would rake in CHF 1.1–1.8 billion and could be used to promote renewable energies as well as help households move towards cleaner energy.
