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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The Daily Telegraph: Power Pain Amps Up
NSW households and small businesses struggling to pay soaring electricity bills face forking out more than $340m extra next financial year to cover administration and other costs for renewable energy zones. … In discussions with Macquarie Street, consumer advocacy groups have been arguing that the burden shouldn’t be entirely on the shoulders of householders and…
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Electricity price announcement signals a welcome shift in priorities
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) says today’s Default Market Offer (DMO) 2024–25 Draft Determination signals a welcome shift by the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). The DMO has been used to set a benchmark price for electricity across most of Australia since 2019. Previous DMO decisions have included a ‘competition allowance’ that set the DMO…
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SMH: After 17 days with no power, Richard wants better answers
… Public Interest Advocacy Centre consumer advocate Craig Memery said distribution companies should have more portable batteries and petrol generators they can drop off to households that are severed from the grid. ‘It is possible for network businesses to provide temporary battery and generator systems that can meet people’s basic needs of keeping their fridges…
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2SER: Tackling unfair embedded networks
With energy bills rising, most of us take it for granted that we can switch to a different supplier with a better deal if there’s one available. However, some people don’t have this option because they live in a home within an ‘embedded network’. Instead, they’re locked into a deal that’s often more expensive, with…
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Australia’s transmission task needs a new approach – let’s open it up to competition
In particular, the AEMC determined that TNSPs recovering their costs as incurred rather than as commissioned would mean that consumers were paying for transmission lines before they received the benefits of that new line in access to lower priced electricity. As PIAC identified, the rule change would increase intergenerational inequities, with today’s customers paying for the…
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Eraring extension unnecessary: Government has cheaper, cleaner options
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has called on the NSW Government to adopt a program of reliable, sustainable energy solutions rather than extend the life of the Eraring coal-fired power station. There is growing speculation Eraring will be subsidised to operate beyond its planned 2025 closing date due to perceived risks to reliability of…
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2SER: Turning down the gas
The Australian Government has committed to reaching Net Zero emissions by 2050 and we need to make big cuts by 2030. It’s clear that in order to achieve this, we have to move away from our dependence on fossil fuels This means doing something about the gas used in homes. The Victorian Government recently banned…
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“We can electrify the smart way, or the slow and expensive way”
…To electrify the smart way Australia needs an electrification plan, argues Craig Memery, Senior energy advisor for the Public Interest Advocacy Centre. “We need a plan, we need a strategy, we need a common goal held by governments, by industry, by consumers, by the market institution and others that says this is where we want…
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2SER: Greenwashing in Energy
Consumer protection body the ACCC has released a report comparing the green claims of nearly 250 businesses across sectors including cars, food and cosmetics. 57 per cent of 247 businesses were identified in the ACCC report were identified as making concerning claims. Energy providers were among the worst offenders, with 16 of 25 businesses identified as making…
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Consumer groups welcome Knock to Stay Connected customer code for energy companies
Consumer groups and the financial counselling sector have welcomed the launch of a new customer code for the energy sector. The Knock to Stay Connected customer code requires network companies to visit people at risk of disconnection and encourages them to outline the support and referral services available if the customer is having payment difficulties,…