Delays for the NSW Government Energy Efficiency Scheme Condemned

Saturday, 29 November 2008 02:53

The scheme and its targets were meant to be begin operating in January 2009, but a new start date of the 1st July 2009 was announced today by the Deputy Premier.

“This is a very disappointing delay to a very important part of the NSW Government energy efficiency and climate change plan,” said Jeff Angel, Director of TEC.

“It translates into a six month loss of potential benefits, and is effectively slowing down action on climate change.”

“The job of getting energy retailers to change their attitudes to energy efficiency is already such a huge task, extra delays and interferences are definitely not needed.”    

The legislation for the new energy efficiency targets are a key plank in the Government’s greenhouse strategy and are vital to help prepare households and businesses for the introduction of the Commonwealth’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.

“We are cautioning the State Government, there must be no turning back from this. Any more delays, interferences or un-ambitious targets will severely weaken the potential of the scheme and the government’s environmental credentials. They already have enough political problems without wrecking what should be a good news story. See it through properly and no more delays,” urged Mr. Angel.