Fix and extend energy efficiency programs
Date: 19-Feb-2010
The Australian Conservation Foundation has welcomed the decision to pause, fix and re-start the program of Government support for household insulation, but criticised the reduction of the solar hot water rebate and the green loans scheme.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett announced today that a new household renewable energy bonus would replace the insulation program and the solar hot water rebate.
“We welcome the decision to press pause, not delete, on this important strand of Australia’s effort to tackle climate change,” said ACF Executive Director Don Henry.
“Safety issues need to be sorted out and shonky operators weeded out, then the program to help households cut greenhouse emissions and save money must continue.
“Once the problems are dealt with, the Government should extend the program beyond the current ambition to insulate 1.9 million houses.
“The truth is, implementation of the insulation program has not been able to keep pace with demand.
“Australians are hungry to act on climate change and have been taking up these programs faster than they can be rolled out.
“Insulating houses cuts greenhouse pollution, helps people save money and is very popular. Properly insulating a house makes it cooler in summer and warmer in winter and can save as much as 40 per cent on household energy bills – a saving of $400 a year for the average Australian household.
“Unfortunately cutting the rebate for solar hot water from $1600 to $1000 will slow down the solar roll out across the country and the ending of ‘green loans’ means the Government will not be providing any support for people to implement the recommendations from household assessments.
“I urge the Government to use the upcoming Budget to provide stronger financial support to help households cut greenhouse emissions and their energy bills.”
