02.Energy price rises miss mark
Consumers are paying the cost of expanding energy networks, while opportunities to cut demand and slash bills are missed.
The 14 June decision by the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) to confirm NSW energy price rises of 17.3% from 1 July is being driven largely by energy infrastructure upgrades.
This is the time to reduce energy demand, instead of building more expensive poles and wires.
Energy networks in Australia are putting more effort into expanding and passing the costs onto consumers than they are in reducing demand, which means the prices keep rising.
CHOICE wants a National Energy Savings Initiative to lower household bills and an independent review of the energy market.
CHOICE is supporting the advocacy group DoSomething! in its 10% Challenge; a campaign to help Australian households reduce their energy and fuel use by 10%.