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 climate challenge – how good are we?
By PIAC CEO, Jonathon Hunyor ‘How good is Australia?’ was, of course, meant as a rhetorical question. But, with the climate crisis now all-too-real, we may be about to find out. Because make no mistake – in this ‘new normal’, we are going to be tested. Our values and our institutions will come under extreme…
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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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Water recycling needed but high fixed charges mean many Sydney households are still paying for water they don’t use
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) welcomes the NSW Government investigating water recycling as a necessary measure to secure Sydney’s water supply during ongoing drought conditions. PIAC supports water recycling, but stresses good long-term water planning involves being efficient with available resources and using water sustainably, not waiting until supplies are critically low and options…
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Cheaper than dirt: Critics say Sydney’s water ‘massively undervalued’
‘Economists say Sydney’s water is too cheap, and the city is “massively under-valuing” a scarce and finite resource as the drought continues unabated.’ ‘”Water in NSW isn’t dirt cheap. It’s way cheaper,” said economist Richard Tooth, commenting on Sydney Water’s latest pricing proposals. “Water costs little than more than $2 a tonne delivered to your…
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NSW Energy Strategy guides affordable, reliable energy transition
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre welcomes the NSW government’s release of an Energy Strategy that supports the transition to renewable energy and encourages low-cost, low emissions and reliable power for NSW households. ‘The strategy complements national measures to support the long-term system planning needs required for NSW households to have affordable, reliable, sustainable energy into…
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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…’
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New demand response rule to erode market power of generator cartel
‘Australia is about to take another significant step towards breaking the market power of the country’s electricity generation cartel – and prepare for a renewables-dominated grid – with the main rule maker finally allowing demand response to enter the wholesale electricity market.’
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Big energy users paid for reducing demand
‘Big energy users look set to be rewarded for reducing their power usage during peak periods, under a plan to prevent summer blackouts.’ ‘The energy market rule-maker has released a draft version of its so-called “demand response mechanism” for public consultation…’
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How ‘negawatts’ could help businesses cut their power bills
‘Manufacturers including BlueScope Steel and CSR stand to benefit from proposed rule changes in the electricity market that will allow them to better control their power use and bid directly into the wholesale market, saying it will help drive down prices…’
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National plan to cut use and cost of power released
‘The Australian National Energy Market Commission has today released a wholesale demand response draft rule that would allow businesses to sell power into the grid.’ ‘It is designed to reduce power use and cost…’