NEW ERA AHEAD FOR SMART, CLEAN ENERGY AND BILLIONS IN SAVINGS
Friday, 08 October 2010 16:09
Total Environment Centre has today welcomed the Prime Minister’s Report on Energy Efficiency and has called for the proposed mandatory energy savings on electricity companies to begin by 2012 at the latest. TEC also welcomed the major changes recommended for the energy market and energy policy.
“The missing link in the Federal Government’s climate policy has just been found,” said Jeff Angel, TEC Director. “Spiraling energy prices and greenhouse emissions must be reigned in and Australian families must be protected from the coming carbon shocks. The far reaching recommendations will protect Australia’s economy and its environment, saving billions of dollars.”
The Report calls for a 30% energy intensity improvement by 2020 and mandatory energy savings targets on electricity companies and other improvements.
“Total energy consumption must be reduced not just energy intensity, to break the unhealthy link of energy consumption rising with economic growth – which is simply a projection of inefficient energy use. We need to achieve zero demand growth of our total energy consumption and then start to reduce overall demand by creating ‘invisible power stations’ with new spare capacity.”
The Report also identified the National Electricity Market, energy market policy and regulation as key barriers, and called for major reform of the energy market, including a new Ministerial Council and Australian Energy Commission
"This is a call, loud and clear, for a new era in Australian energy policy echoing demands by TEC and other environment and industry groups. Energy efficiency is being blocked by current Energy Ministers, in particular, Martin Ferguson. The call for a new Ministerial Council, a new Australian Energy Commission, better regulation and a re-working of the National Electricity Law paves the way for a grid that is clean, smart and efficient."
"Energy policy needs to serve the interests of all Australians, not just polluting power companies."
