Tim Harrison, from PIAC’s Energy + Water Consumers’ Advocacy Program (EWCAP), has been awarded runner-up in the inaugural Gill Owen Essay Prize for his essay Energy efficiency programs: an equitable choice.
Tim’s essay outlined the links between energy inefficient dwellings and social outcomes, noting that lack of access to energy efficiency improvements is both a cause and symptom of social inequity and leaves households who can least afford them paying the biggest energy bills. It argued that governments should seek to rectify this by investing in programs to support vulnerable households to access energy efficiency improvements.
The award honours the memory of Dr Gill Owen, who was a highly regarded advocate for disadvantaged consumers in the energy sector.
Tim received his award on Wednesday 7 February at the State Library Victoria, with Gill Owen’s husband David Green, Michelle Groves from the Australian Energy Regulator, Sharon Darcy from Sustainability First and Cameron Reid from AGL in attendance.
EWCAP Team Leader, Craig Memery said: ‘Gill’s vision and wisdom were instrumental in shaping the active community of advocates that represents energy consumers today.’
‘Tim’s efforts have helped focus the energy industry and energy institutions and on the opportunities for getting better outcomes for consumers, particularly those doing it tough, and this honour is a fitting and well-deserved acknowledgement of his effectiveness,’ added Craig.
Speaking after the award ceremony, Tim said: ‘It was a real pleasure to be able to write about a topic close to PIAC’s heart in a competition honouring someone who did so much for energy consumers in Australia.
You can read more about the prize, and the winning essay, The emperor of energy efficiency by Dev Tayal, on the UTS website.