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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‘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.