Energy
Media and commentary related to our work to protect consumer rights and ensure everyone in our community can access the affordable, efficient and clean energy they need.
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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,…
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‘The only avenue left’: Buy now, pay later used for food, bills
High-income earners who juggle school fees and mortgage repayments are among the growing number of people who rely on buy now, pay later credit to pay for essential bills, including food and energy. Research from the Public Interest Advocacy Centre found almost half (47 per cent) of more than 1000 Australian consumers used a credit…
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PIAC joins call to retrofit low-income housing to reduce energy bills
More than 90 Community and business organisations including ACOSS, GetUp, the Energy Efficiency Council, the Climate Council and PIAC have come together calling for an ambitious energy performance retrofit package for low-income housing in the budget. The groups have signed an open letter to Assistant Climate and Energy Minister Jenny McAllister, who is driving the…
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Government dragging its feet regulating Buy Now Pay Later sector, causing more grief for the vulnerable
Only a few years ago, Buy Now Pay Later was hailed as the ultimate in consumer credit innovation. The current reality is massive losses for the providers while cost-of-living pressures escalate and the most vulnerable consumers suffer most. Welfare groups are demanding regulation, David Gilchrist reports. … Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s Senior Policy Officer, Thea…
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‘Very legal loopholes’: Consumer groups seek tighter buy now, pay later curbs
Consumer groups warn buy now, pay later (BNPL) providers will continue to exploit loopholes unless the federal government imposes stricter regulations to nip the next wave of credit products in the bud. As a cost of living crisis continues to bite, consumer groups say BNPL providers – like ASX-listed Zip and US-owned Afterpay – should…
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Albanese plan has ‘dealt a blow’ to east coast gas supply
A federal government plan to lower energy bills by capping the price of gas and coal has been attacked as a heavy-handed and “radical” move that puts at risk more investment beyond Senex Energy’s decision to pause its $1 billion expansion plan in Queensland. The comments come the day after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined…
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Consumers stuck with Snowy 2’s ballooning grid costs despite NSW energy deal
The Federal Government has announced a deal with the NSW Government to finance expansion of the NSW energy grid. The Commonwealth will invest $4.7 billion to add to the state’s existing $3.1 billion commitment to support implementation of the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap. The federal funds will help finance infrastructure connecting New South Wales’ Renewable…
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Anthony Albanese labels NSW energy deal ‘one of the biggest announcements’ he’ll make in office
Anthony Albanese has labelled the federal government’s $5bn spend on the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project in New South Wales as one of the most significant announcements he will make as prime minister. On Wednesday Albanese and Dominic Perrottet formally announced the almost $8bn joint-funding deal with the NSW government on poles and wires to connect…
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Overhaul of energy concessions needed as three million households struggle to pay their energy bills
A report released today by social service organisations found that while around three million households receive some form of ongoing financial assistance for their energy bills, the poor design and implementation of the assistance means too many people still can’t afford the energy they need. Too many people are depriving themselves of energy taking fewer…
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Community feedback prompts changes to transmission upgrade route
The Ballarat end of the contentious VNI West transmission line may be changing, after community feedback prompted Transgrid and the energy market operator to look at other options. The feedback around land use between Bendigo and Ballarat has forced the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and the transmission company to rethink a Western Renewables Link…
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2SER interview: energy reliability
According to recent media coverage, Australia is facing an escalating risk of power shortages. Some commentators are blaming the transition to clean energy, saying we’re switching off coal-powered plants without a reliable alternative to fill the gap in generation. Last week the Australian Energy Market Commission’s Reliability Panel and the Australian Energy Market Operator both released…
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Improved efficiency standards for new houses in NSW
PIAC’s Energy + Water Consumer Advocacy Program (EWCAP) has welcomed the Commonwealth, state and territory government agreement to improve residential energy efficiency standards in the National Construction Code. The changes, supported by a joint community and industry campaign, will lift minimum NatHERS energy efficiency ratings from 6 to 7 Stars and require homes to meet…
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Does Australia need Tasmania to become a multi-billion-dollar ‘Battery of the Nation’?
Public Interest Advocacy Centre senior energy advisor Craig Memery said the Tasmanian Battery of the Nation project was a sounder investment than Snowy 2.0, which he describes as being “planned on the back of an envelope”.
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Calls for energy businesses to operate in good faith
ABC NewsRadio’s Thomas Oriti spoke to senior energy advisor with the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Craig Memery.
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‘The prices are so much more’: how apartment dwellers get locked into bad power deals
Program director Douglas McCloskey said the structural disadvantages people living in embedded networks faced would hit “particularly hard” if energy prices continued to rise. “People living in embedded networks should have a right to access the energy they need as affordably and fairly as everyone else,” he said.
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AEMO flags level three ‘lack of reserve’ notice across SA, VIC, NSW and Tasmania
Profiteering and bad behaviour would need to be reviewed in the wake of the energy crunch, according to the Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s Craig Memery. “I expect there will be big reviews over the next year that find some* generation businesses have been profiteering through bad behaviour in the #energycrisis. It’s particularly off when you…
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Power companies accused of engineering crisis for profit
Multibillion-dollar power companies are being accused by regulators of driving the power shortages striking the nation in order to receive more compensation payments.
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Welcome news: increased financial assistance for NSW households facing rising energy bills
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s Energy + Water Consumers’ Advocacy Program welcomes the NSW Government’s announcement of additional support for NSW households struggling to afford rising energy bills. NSW Treasurer and Minister for Energy, Matt Kean, today announced an increase in the cap on the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) scheme from $1200 to $1600…
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2SER interview re Renewable Energy Zones
Craig Memery, who leads PIACs Energy + Water Consumer Advocacy Program discusses: The closure of the Eraring coal fired power station The State Gov’s enviromental policy REZ’s (Renewable Energy Zones)
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Roadmap secures NSW energy future
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre applauds the NSW government and Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean for announcing an ambitious plan to make the state a renewable energy superpower, while driving down electricity costs and making energy more resilient and reliable. PIAC welcomes the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which is expected to lower household bills…
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Climate and Energy Forum
We should build a low carbon economy, not just because it’s good for the environment but because it’s good for the state and the country. – The Hon. Matt Kean MP, NSW Minister for Energy and Environment Thank you to everyone who attended PIAC’s zoom forum on 14 October, and heard from a panel of…
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Minister’s certainty on gas a win for consumers and environment
Leading energy consumer advocate, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre has welcomed NSW Energy and Environment Minister, Matt Kean’s statements confirming gas has no long-term future in the state. The Minister on Tuesday said, ‘the business case for gas is on the clock’, gas ‘may be useful in the short term’, but wind, solar, pumped hydro…
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New Renewable Energy Zone a win for NSW households
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) energy and water consumers’ advocacy program welcomes the announcement by the NSW government of a new Renewable Energy Zone in the New England region. As advocates for affordable and sustainable energy for NSW households, PIAC supports the NSW government increasing the amount of renewable energy in the system and…
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Major consumer-led energy reform finalised
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre, the Australia Institute, and Total Environment Centre today welcomed a ‘demand response’ reform of Australia’s electricity market that will improve reliability and reduce prices for consumers. The groups also welcome the AEMC’s decision to maintain the early, 2021 implementation date for the rule which they had advocated for. The three…
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Good engagement brings lower gas charges for NSW households
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre welcomes the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) announcement that NSW households and small businesses will pay less to have their gas delivered over the next 5 years. The AER on Friday made its final determination on Jemena Gas Network’s (JGN) access and pricing arrangement for 2020-25, signalling a drop in residential…
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NSW energy relief welcome for those struggling during COVID-19
PIAC welcomes the New South Wales Government’s announcement of a new energy relief package for households suffering financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis. The NSW energy minister, Matt Kean, today announced a $30 million expansion of the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) program, an increase in the maximum value of EAPA vouchers households can receive,…
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NSW solar battery loan scheme a win for households
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre welcomes the New South Wales government’s announcement of a pilot solar battery loan scheme for households in the Hunter region. Under the scheme eligible Hunter home owners will be able to access interest-free loans for battery and solar-battery systems. ‘Most people want lower power bills and sustainable energy sources, and…
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Wholesale demand response delayed, better outcomes for consumers necessary
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Total Environment Centre and The Australia Institute welcome the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (the Commission) announcement that it will introduce wholesale demand response earlier than planned, but say more work is urgently needed to get the best outcome for households. The Commission has today announced it will postpone a final…
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Call to fast-track ‘demand response’ to stabilise energy supply
‘Big energy users have called for new “demand response” rules to be fast-tracked and extended by allowing electricity to be sold into the wholesale market from both businesses and households as the threat of summer blackouts looms on the east coast…’