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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Renew Economy: NSW aims for a million solar battery homes in landmark consumer energy strategy for no coal grid
Energy and Water Justice Program Director Douglas McCloskey said reforms are making the system fairer, but much more is needed.
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2SER: Debt and Disconnection
Senior Policy Officer Thea Bray joined 2SER Breakfast to discuss the Energy and Water Justice Program’s new Powerless report.
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ABC News: Higher income households across NSW increasingly struggling to stay on top of their energy bills
Nearly every household is struggling to pay their energy bills, Senior Policy Officer Thea Bray told the ABC.
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Unaffordable energy leaves more working households facing disconnection
Our new research shows more working families, people with mid-range incomes and households with mortgages are facing disconnection because of unaffordable energy bills.
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CHOICE: Are you paying more than other customers for the same energy plan?
Energy retailers are using confusing tactics, meaning people pay more.
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SMH: The tale of two households: Behind the new grid charges for excess solar
We backed a plan to introduce a tarrif to export energy from rooftop solar, which will make the energy system more equitable.
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Solar power tariff a fair cost for using the grid
Energy experts at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) say new tariff arrangements that include a small charge for solar panel owners in NSW to sell energy during the middle of the day help make the cost of maintaining the energy grid fairer for everyone. After years of consultation with the community, electricity network businesses…
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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…