PIAC responded to the NSW parliamentary inquiry into the sustainability of energy supply and resources.
PIAC considers the inquiry an opportunity to recognise that climate change and the rapid transition in energy and resources presents many serious challenges for NSW, but also opportunities to create more sustainable and prosperous communities and industries in the long term.
We stress that reducing energy sector emissions does not need to result in higher prices and that it is in the interests of all NSW consumers and the broader community for the transition to renewable energy to happen as quickly and efficiently as possible. We also stress the need for a transition plan for communities dependent on industries in decline, or which present more long-term risk than benefit. In particular, we highlight the need to have an integrated framework to assess the sustainability, risk and benefit of resource and energy policy on water security and community sustainability.
We provide input on the capacity and economic opportunities of renewable energy, emerging trends in energy supply and exports, the status and forecasts for energy resource markets, effects on regional communities, water security, the environment and public health, and opportunities to support sustainable economic development in regional and other areas.
