Page 4289 - Week 13 - Thursday, 19 November 2015

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Gas usage—proposed review

MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (4.59): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) notes that:

(a) the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) is due to make a draft determination on the revenue allowances for ActewAGL’s ACT gas distribution for the period 2016-2021 in November 2015;

(b) that ActewAGL Distribution has proposed an investment of $115.7m in capital expenditure for the period 2016-2021 which is 27.5% higher than the actual expenditure in the 2010-2015 period;

(c) that the largest component of this capital expenditure forecast is market expansion which ActewAGL has submitted is an increase of 46% over the 2010-2015 period;

(d) that this capital expenditure will be recaptured from ACT gas consumers;

(e) that public submissions to the AER have raised concerns that projections for market expansion of gas in the ACT require review due to the likelihood of medium density developers not to install gas, the increased efficiency of electric heating technologies and the move towards renewable energy in the ACT;

(f) a 2014 research study undertaken by the Alternative Technology Association and reviewed by the COAG Energy Council indicated that “it is no longer economic for any new home, or existing all-electric home, located anywhere in the ACT to connect to mains or bottled gas – as compared with installing and operating efficient electric appliance alternatives”;

(g) predicted gas price rises in the medium to long-term could leave some gas consumers disadvantaged;

(h) battery technology for residential properties will soon be cost effective and will impact negatively on the cost effectiveness of gas for home heating;

(i) that the ACT Government has greenhouse gas emission reduction targets of 40% reduction of 1990 emission levels by 2020, 80% reduction of 1990 emission levels by 2050 and zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2060; and

(j) that the ACT Government has not made a submission to the AER in regards to the gas distribution determination; and

(2) calls on the ACT Government to:


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