Energy and water
Media and commentary related to our work to protect and advance consumer protections for essential services, and accelerate a just transition to net zero.
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Energy users could be paid to reduce use
‘Consumers could be paid for reducing the amount of electricity they use to help the grid during peak demand in an industry change being considered by the market’s rule maker…The rule change was requested by the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Total Environment Centre and the Australia Institute…’
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Struggling families cut off from utilities being pushed further into debt, new report shows
‘Struggling families without electricity are cutting back on groceries, maxing credit cards, delaying medical appointments and even getting loans from pawnbrokers to get reconnected to the grid.’ ‘A new report on electricity, gas and water disconnections has found utility companies who cut off skint households from essential services are pushing these Australians into even further…
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Report: Utility disconnections hitting struggling families hardest
A new report on electricity, gas and water disconnections has found disconnecting people from utilities because they can’t afford to pay their bills hurts families that are already struggling, worsens the hardship experienced by people who are already living with multiple forms of disadvantage, and is not an effective way of making people pay on…
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NSW solar scheme welcome news for some low-income households
PIAC’s Energy + Water Consumer Advocacy Program (EWCAP) has welcomed the New South Wales Government’s efforts to help households with low incomes access rooftop solar systems through their $15 million solar program, announced on Friday. ‘This initiative recognises that removing barriers to rooftop solar energy is one of the most effective and enduring ways help…
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Engaging with consumers: How do the energy distributors stack up?
Essential Energy has come out on top in PIAC’s first formal evaluation of the consumer engagement practices for the three electricity distribution businesses in NSW. Essential Energy, who received a 4 star rating, was closely followed by Endeavour on 3.5 stars. Ausgrid demonstrated the least effective engagement of the three, receiving 2.8 stars. In determining…
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AEMC mulls rule change to boost ‘demand response’ in National Electricity Market
‘The Australian Energy Market Commission is mulling a rule change that would accelerate the growth of demand response – an alternative source of power to conventional generation – and boost the grid’s resilience to supply squeezes and blackouts. ‘The Energy Security Board expected that demand response – where customers are paid to curtail their electricity…
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ACCC review confirms electricity market not working for consumers
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has called on Australian governments to take strong action to bring down electricity prices and restore consumer confidence following the release of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) Retail Electricity Pricing Inquiry Final Report. The report finds that consumers are paying for unnecessary costs at every level of…
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AEMC review: stronger action needed by energy retailers and regulators to ensure that the market is working for consumers
Following the release of the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (AEMC) 2018 Retail Energy Competition Review, PIAC’s Energy and Water Consumers’ Advocacy Program (EWCAP) has called for stronger action by energy retailers and regulators to ensure that the market is working for consumers. ‘We welcome the Commission’s report and note the finding that the deregulation of…
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Bill shock as gas companies overcharge by nearly $800
‘Households are being warned to check if their gas bills contain wildly inaccurate “estimated” meter readings, after a Sydney woman was repeatedly sent erroneous bills, with the latest more than 20 times her actual usage.’
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Electricity price win for Victorian consumers
Victorian households have avoided further increases to their electricity bills following decisions by the Australian Competition Tribunal released this week. The Tribunal rejected arguments by the five Victorian Distribution Networks that they should be allowed to recover an extra $345 million from Victorian consumers. The decisions are the last in a series of cases heard…