The $8 Billion Electricity Swindle - Energy Australia Wants To Rob Consumers, Worsen Climate Change
Wednesday, 30 July 2008 20:08
“This mammoth spending spree is nothing short of a massive expansion attempt at the expense of consumers and the environment,” said Jane Castle. “The AER must find the back-bone to reject the rapacious greed of this dinosaur monopoly currently owned by the NSW government.”
“Energy Australia wants Sydney households to pay over a hundred dollars a year extra for the privilege of squandering energy savings. It’s about selling more power, and is not efficient either economically or environmentally.”
EA owns and operates the ‘poles and wires’ that deliver electricity across Sydney. The AER will determine how much it can charge consumers in 2009-2014, because it is a monopoly. As a monopoly, it must have its spending approved every five years. EA has proposed to spend $8.6 billion on hardware and only around $23 million on demand management.
“EA say they’re ‘on it’ in their PR. The question is what hallucinogen are they on?” asked Ms Castle. “EA, and its NSW Government owners, should be sent back to the drawing board.”
“Electricity regulation is severely out of synch with what people want, and conflicts with NSW Government rhetoric on energy efficiency. A massive overhaul is required. Regulation must encourage energy savings, and the networks must have energy efficiency targets.”
“With help, households can reduce their consumption by 70%, but EA is proposing to spend less than 0.5% of their budget on energy efficiency and demand management.”
“EA is blaming air-conditioners when they should be using direct load-control and smart meters with in-home displays. It shows how important the new energy efficiency target will be for NSW and why EA should be radically reformed so it is an energy service utility, not
a greenhouse pollution driver.”
The AER will be holding a forum today (30/07/08) – details at:
http://www.aer.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/720353
http://www.aer.gov.au/content/index.phtml?itemId=720345
