Page 2963 - Week 09 - Thursday, 18 September 2014
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Supporting the long-term continuation of the EEIS, an opportunity to extend formal partnerships with other jurisdictions in the future to improve information sharing is also identified. The review also recommends exploring additional opportunities for the scheme to leverage off activity development in other jurisdictions and seek further integration of schemes while noting potential issues arising if the EEIS is reliant on the continuation of other schemes.
Importantly, the review also recommends that, where smaller tier 2 retailers may elect to pay an energy savings contribution in place of undertaking activities, the scheme continues to ensure that competition impacts in retail electricity markets are minimised. In relation to this, the review highlights that tier 2 retailer contribution fees must be used towards energy efficiency improvements to meet the requirements of the act. In addition to funding additional administrator resources, the review recommends that these funds be used to continue to implement complementary activities targeted at education, awareness and behaviour change, as well as targeting those groups of the ACT not benefiting from the scheme to the fullest extent possible, such as renters.
In response to the review it is the government’s intention that the EEIS be considered for continuation beyond the currently legislated period which concludes on 31 December 2015.
While the outcomes of the review indicate that the current level of ambition could likely be maintained for future compliance years of the EEIS, further work is required to develop a suitable metric to replace the current greenhouse gas metric, determine the specific targets for retailers and determine appropriate eligible activities. While higher targets can deliver greater energy cost savings, they can also bring higher risks and pass-through costs to ACT electricity users, and these issues will be considered as part of the ongoing policy work in the area of energy efficiency.
I am also committed to ensuring that the funds raised by the scheme are invested in accordance with the act, and recognise that there are opportunities to enhance complementarity of government programs while ensuring that those areas of the community not reached by the scheme are supported. This will be the subject of further consideration in the next budget cycle. Work will also continue to take advantage of opportunities to draw on new initiatives in New South Wales and South Australia and seek closer integration of these schemes in the future.
In closing, the review of the act has demonstrated that the energy efficiency improvement scheme works. It saves households money on their electricity and gas bills and it saves greenhouse gas emissions. It is a prudent response to addressing the impact of energy price increases while supporting the government’s renewable energy and climate change policies. I commend the paper to the Assembly.
Domestic Animals Amendment Bill 2014
Debate resumed from 5 June 2014, on motion by Mr Rattenbury:
That this bill be agreed to in principle.
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