Energy and water
Media and commentary related to our work to protect and advance consumer protections for essential services, and accelerate a just transition to net zero.
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Increased energy bill support welcome news for NSW households under lockdown
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s Energy + Water Consumers’ Advocacy Program welcomes an increase in bill support for NSW households struggling to afford their energy under ongoing lockdowns. NSW Minister for Energy and Environment, Matt Kean, today announced an increase in the cap on the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) scheme from $1200 to $1600…
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Community and industry collaborate for better outcomes for people experiencing vulnerability
Today Australia’s peak body for energy retailers, the Australian Energy Council, has committed to best practice principles for assisting people struggling to afford their energy, and published a guide to help its members implement these principles. This outcome is the result of collaboration between consumer advocates and energy retailers that started at the beginning of…
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Treasury plans to give energy retailers control of consumer data should be abandoned
The Commonwealth Treasury’s new proposal for a Consumer Data Right (CDR) increases risks for vulnerable energy consumers, won’t deliver its intended benefits and should be abandoned. These were the recommendations of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre’s submission to the Treasury’s consultation on its plans for a CDR for energy. The Treasury proposal puts control of…
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Overhaul needed for water planning
Water consumer advocate, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC), has welcomed the Productivity Commission’s calls for an overhaul of Australia’s national water policy. In a report released on Thursday, the Productivity Commission urged Australian Governments to modernise and strengthen the National Water Initiative so it can effectively guide water policy and planning into the future.…
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Energy rule-maker rejects rent-seeking bid, protects consumers
Energy consumer advocate, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, strongly supports the Australian energy rule-maker’s decision to reject a request from energy network businesses to change network financing rules to the detriment of consumers. The Australian Energy Market Commission (the Commission) today rejected Transgrid and ElectraNet’s bid to allow them to recover revenue for large capital…
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Off-grid dream becomes reality as bushfire threat creates new era for power networks
Craig Memery, who leads PIAC’s Energy + Water Consumers’ Advocacy Program, explains some of the benefits of stand alone power systems in this story for ABC 7.30. Key points: Essential Energy says 3,200 poles were destroyed across New South Wales in bushfires last summer Energy companies are increasingly looking to replace power lines with standalone…
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Roadmap secures NSW energy future
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre applauds the NSW government and Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean for announcing an ambitious plan to make the state a renewable energy superpower, while driving down electricity costs and making energy more resilient and reliable. PIAC welcomes the NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, which is expected to lower household bills…
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Climate and Energy Forum
We should build a low carbon economy, not just because it’s good for the environment but because it’s good for the state and the country. – The Hon. Matt Kean MP, NSW Minister for Energy and Environment Thank you to everyone who attended PIAC’s zoom forum on 14 October, and heard from a panel of…
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Minister’s certainty on gas a win for consumers and environment
Leading energy consumer advocate, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre has welcomed NSW Energy and Environment Minister, Matt Kean’s statements confirming gas has no long-term future in the state. The Minister on Tuesday said, ‘the business case for gas is on the clock’, gas ‘may be useful in the short term’, but wind, solar, pumped hydro…
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Morrison gas plan no help for consumers, bad for taxpayers and disaster for environment
Leading NSW energy consumer advocate, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre has dismissed the government’s plan to increase the supply of gas as a capitulation to lobbyists that is risky, expensive and an ineffective way to help people and businesses struggling with high gas prices. ‘It is disappointing that the Morrison Government has ignored advice from…
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New Renewable Energy Zone a win for NSW households
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) energy and water consumers’ advocacy program welcomes the announcement by the NSW government of a new Renewable Energy Zone in the New England region. As advocates for affordable and sustainable energy for NSW households, PIAC supports the NSW government increasing the amount of renewable energy in the system and…
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New water prices penalise water savers, not a long-term solution
PIAC is concerned recently announced changes to the way water is priced for Sydney and Hunter region households do not encourage sustainable long-term water use and planning, and will leave households that use less water with higher water bills. On Tuesday, the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Authority (IPART) announced the introduction of new water…
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Major consumer-led energy reform finalised
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre, the Australia Institute, and Total Environment Centre today welcomed a ‘demand response’ reform of Australia’s electricity market that will improve reliability and reduce prices for consumers. The groups also welcome the AEMC’s decision to maintain the early, 2021 implementation date for the rule which they had advocated for. The three…
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Good engagement brings lower gas charges for NSW households
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre welcomes the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) announcement that NSW households and small businesses will pay less to have their gas delivered over the next 5 years. The AER on Friday made its final determination on Jemena Gas Network’s (JGN) access and pricing arrangement for 2020-25, signalling a drop in residential…
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NSW energy relief welcome for those struggling during COVID-19
PIAC welcomes the New South Wales Government’s announcement of a new energy relief package for households suffering financial hardship during the COVID-19 crisis. The NSW energy minister, Matt Kean, today announced a $30 million expansion of the Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) program, an increase in the maximum value of EAPA vouchers households can receive,…
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Community groups call for energy hardship relief package as household energy bills jump
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre joins a coalition of leading consumer and community organisations to call for immediate Commonwealth Government funding and stronger commitments by energy businesses so people can afford their energy bills during the COVID-19 social, economic and health crisis. In a joint statement released today, the groups call on the Government to…
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Energy retailers and government must act to protect vulnerable people
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) welcomes the Australian Energy Regulator’s (AER) announcement of its expectations of energy retailers to ensure people can afford their energy bills and stay safe and healthy in their homes during the COVID-19 crisis. The AER has outlined its expectations of the support that energy retailers should provide their customers:…
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A little relief will go a long way for thousands struggling due to COVID-19 – Joint media release
Widespread disruption caused by COVID-19 is being felt across Australia. It won’t be long before we have thousands of people trying to survive on less income, worried about whether they can pay their rent or their mortgage, while keeping the lights on and food on the table. Community service organisations around the country are calling…
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A big win for all energy users, but door closed on households
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Total Environment Centre and The Australia Institute welcome the Australian Energy Market Commission’s (the Commission) plan to bring forward a high priority energy market reform, the wholesale demand response mechanism, to deal with pressing reliability issues. The three organisations that led the charge for the reform say urgent work will…
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NSW solar battery loan scheme a win for households
The Public Interest Advocacy Centre welcomes the New South Wales government’s announcement of a pilot solar battery loan scheme for households in the Hunter region. Under the scheme eligible Hunter home owners will be able to access interest-free loans for battery and solar-battery systems. ‘Most people want lower power bills and sustainable energy sources, and…
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Rains buy time to ditch new desalination and plan smarter
The recent rains across parts of New South Wales provide breathing space for better long-term resource planning to ensure water is secure and affordable into the future. PIAC calls on the state government to hit pause on the proposed expansion of the Sydney Desalination Plant while having a more considered conversation about better water use,…