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For decades, the writing has been on the wall about the transition away from fossil fuels. Instead of preparing for this inevitable change, the gas pipeline operators have attempted to talk up their profitability with the fiction that everyone in the future will be cooking with green and affordable gas (green hydrogen or biomethane).
AusNet's bid to increase gas charges highlights a fundamental issue: gas network operators are attempting to shift their poor business planning onto Victorian households.
In its application to the Australian Energy Regulator, AusNet claims the ‘renewable gas path is now increasingly unlikely for Victorian households’, debunking its own claim that renewable gas will be a viable option in the future.
For decades, the writing has been on the wall about the transition away from fossil fuels. Instead of preparing for this inevitable change, the gas pipeline operators have attempted to talk up their profitability with the fiction that everyone in the future will be cooking with green and affordable gas (green hydrogen or biomethane).
They want to expand gas infrastructure to make higher profits, ignoring both clear market trends and policy signals. Now they want households – particularly those who can least afford it – to bail them out for misguided investments.
The solution isn't to burden Victorian families with higher bills to protect AusNet's bottom line. Rather, we need to accelerate support for households to switch to efficient electric appliances. This is the most effective way to shield vulnerable Victorians from spiralling gas costs while helping them transition to cheaper, cleaner energy alternatives
(Photo by Henry Kobutra on Unsplash)
Electrifying our homes and cars is the recipe to cut emissions and save money for Australian homes. Let's build an abundant electric future for Australia.
Western Australia is the first state to commit to legalising plug-in balcony solar and batteries. It’s a big win for millions of Australians who’ve been shut out of cheap, clean power.
“Electric technologies are scientifically proven to be cheaper and more efficient. A heat pump water heater or reverse cycle A/C uses around a quarter of the energy to heat the same water or air. Gas goons will never tell you this and say it’s about consumer choice. It’s imperative that nobody is fooled by their lies.”
Join this webinar organised by the Nature Conservation Council to hear from experts on how improving energy efficiency helps fight climate change and why a Healthy Homes Plan will support rental homes (which are 1/3 of homes in NSW) to be more affordable and liveable.