The Victorian Government is legislating its emissions reductions and renewable energy targets, making official the new Victorian renewable energy target of 95 per cent renewable energy generation by 2035. The new legislation is designed to drive down power bills, encourage investment into Victoria’s renewable energy industry and create tens of thousands of jobs. Victorian Minister for Climate Action, Lily D’Ambrosio, […]
Policy
The Federal Government has reached an agreement with the Australian Greens to strengthen the Restoring Our Rivers Bill. The agreement includes an independent audit of water allocated to the environment throughout the Murray-Darling basin, $100 million allocated to help First Nations people to participate in the water market and allowing the Commonwealth Government power to cancel state-run water-saving infrastructure projects. […]
New SA hydrogen and renewable energy bill passes parliament
Yasmin Isaacs News, Policy, Projects, Renewable Energy, Spotlight 0The Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023, which aims to regulate and facilitate the generation of hydrogen and renewable energy in certain areas of the state, has passed both houses of the South Australian parliament. The Hydrogen and Renewable Energy Act 2023 is the nation’s first legislative framework designed to provide a coordinated approach to the burgeoning hydrogen and renewable […]
AGL has allegedly failed to provide 22 customers with a calculation of its ‘deemed best offer’ over a period between March and June 2022, and has had to pay a total of $799,656 in penalties. An energy retailer’s ‘deemed best offer’ is typically their cheapest generally available offer. It does not include one-off gifts or sign-up credits and is based […]
Clean Energy Council releases renewable energy strategy recommendations
Steph Barker News, Policy, Renewable Energy, Spotlight, Sustainability 0The Clean Energy Council has released a strategic package of 45 recommendations to the Federal Government, titled Power Playbook – Accelerating Australia’s Clean Energy Transformation. Power Playbook is designed to ensure that Australia gets back on track for 82 per cent renewables by 2030 and achieves its ambition of becoming a renewable energy superpower. The submission is a fully integrated […]
Energy provider issues apology after ACCC commences legal proceedings
Steph Barker Company news, Electricity, News, Policy, Spotlight 0One of Australia’s largest energy retailers has renewed its commitment to improving customer communications, specifically relating to retail and small business customers, following an announcement that the ACCC has commenced legal proceedings against the company. EnergyAustralia was named by the ACCC in legal proceedings commenced in the Federal Court regarding compliance with the Competition and Consumer (Industry Code – Electricity […]
World’s renewable energy capacity to be tripled, says G20 Summit
Steph Barker Events, News, Policy, Renewable Energy, Spotlight 0World leaders including Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, attended the G20 Leader’s Summit in New Delhi to discuss joint responses to the most pressing global economic challenges – including major commitments to the world’s renewable energy transition. G20 leaders discussed global measures to ease cost-of-living pressures, including free, fair and rules-based trade, enhancing supply chain resilience and shoring up food […]
National Energy Market opportunities report released
Steph Barker Electricity, News, Policy, Sustainability 0The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has released its 2023 Electricity Statement of Opportunities (ESOO) report. The report looks into the urgent development needs of the National Electricity Market over the next decade. The ESOO is produced using insights from developer and market participant surveys, transmission information, and extended analysis of energy limitations, like the potential impact of drought conditions, […]
New offshore carbon capture and storage areas released
Kody Cook News, Policy, Spotlight, Sustainability 0The Federal Government has announced new areas that will be explored for offshore greenhouse gas storage, in an effort to lower emissions and further Australia’s net zero targets. The 2023 Offshore Greenhouse Gas Storage Acreage Release includes ten areas across seven basins to explore for carbon capture and storage (CCS) sites in Commonwealth waters off Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania, […]
Council to adopt long-term sustainable water strategy
Steph Barker News, Policy, Spotlight, Sustainability, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0Councillors from the MidCoast Council have voted unanimously in favour of adopting Our Water Our Future 2050, a long-term water strategy outlining how Council will provide sustainable and affordable water and sewage services to the community over the next 30 years. The Council said it is setting sights on building new off-stream storage dams and recycling larger volumes of wastewater […]
Woodside Energy and major unions reach agreement
Kody Cook Company news, News, People and appointments, Policy, Spotlight 0Woodside Energy, Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and the Electrical Trades Union have reached in-principle agreement regarding its employees on its North West Shelf offshore platforms. In-principle agreement was reached on all claims relating to remuneration and other terms and conditions of employment. The next steps will be for the enterprise agreement to be finalised and then voted on by employees […]
Sydney votes to ban gas in new buildings
Kody Cook Electricity, Gas, News, Policy, Safety and Training, Spotlight, Sustainability 0The City of Sydney council has passed a motion that looks to introduce a new policy that will require new homes and businesses in the area to be gas free. The motion, moved by Councillor (Waskam) Emelda Davis, and seconded by Deputy Lord Mayor, Sylvie Ellsmore, will insert new clauses into the council’s planning rules to require new homes and […]
Penalties for VIC energy distributors increase up to $10M
Kody Cook Company news, Electricity, Gas, News, Policy, Spotlight 0The Victorian Government is implementing an increase to penalties for gas and electricity distributors, with companies that commit serious breaches facing penalties of up to $10 million. The new penalty amounts will apply to Victorian gas and electricity distribution businesses for breaches of the Electricity Distribution and Gas Distribution System Codes of Practice that result in severe consumer harm or […]
The Western Australian Government has updated the WA Domestic Gas Policy for Perth and Canning Basin, and exemptions will not be considered in an effort to secure the state’s gas supply and support long-term economic and industrial development. The update follows the August 2020 update to the WA Domestic Gas Policy, which prevents the export of onshore gas through the […]
UNESCO: Great Barrier Reef still under threat
Kody Cook Disaster Management, News, Policy, Spotlight, Sustainability 0UNESCO has urged the Federal Government to take greater action to reduce emissions in its latest report, warning that the Great Barrier Reef is still under “serious threat” of climate change and further degradation. As global temperatures continue to rise, the Great Barrier Reef is once again under threat from marine heatwaves and the mass bleaching events that follow. The […]
The Victorian Government has announced that gas connections will be phased out from all new builds from 2024, transitioning houses to all-electric. From 1 January 2024, planning permits for new homes and residential subdivisions will only connect to all-electric networks, with houses taking advantage of more efficient, cheaper and cleaner electric appliances. These changes will apply to all new homes […]
State conducts first climate adaptation strategy
Yasmin Isaacs News, Policy, Projects, Renewable Energy 0Western Australia has released its Climate Adaptation Strategy, which prioritises 37 actions to ensure its communities are well equipped and resilient to climate change risks. Not a stranger to extreme weather events and natural disasters, the State Government has allocated almost $40 million in the 2023–2024 State Budget to deliver the strategy which will prepare them for the future. The […]
Melbourne utilities joining forces to secure water for life
Patricia Mae Tagabe Policy, Water, Water and Wastewater Treatment 0In the face of climate change and projected population growth, Melbourne’s water corporations have banded together to form Water for Life, a shared water plan that aims to balance the city’s water needs and secure supply for the next five decades. Developed by Greater Western Water, Melbourne Water, South East Water and Yarra Valley Water, this strategy aims to balance […]
Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, more recently known as DJAARA, has launched the Dja Dja Wurrung Climate Change Strategy: Turning ‘wrong way’ climate, ‘right way’, which advocates for direct djaara leadership and a more holistic approach to climate, Country and people. The strategy was released on 24 May 2023 at Wanyarra Dum (Frog Ponds) in White Hills, and emphasises […]
Women leading the energy transition at Energy Safe Victoria
Kody Cook Company news, News, People and appointments, Policy 0Women are set to lead the way for Victoria’s energy transition as the state’s independent regulator, Energy Safe Victoria (ESV), appoints a new Chairperson to its all-female commission team. ESV’s new Commissioner and Chairperson, Monique Conheady, begins her five-year term on 1 August. The experienced leader will work closely with Deputy Chairperson and Commissioner Michelle Groves and Commissioner Sarah McDowell […]
Aboriginal water committees seek members
Kody Cook News, People and appointments, Policy, Spotlight 0The New South Wales Government has announced the creation of new Regional Aboriginal Water Committees and is calling for expressions of interest from First Nations people across the state who want to ensure that Aboriginal voices play a major part in water planning and management. Director of Aboriginal Water at the Department of Planning and Environment, Darren Murray, said the […]
New report sheds light on vulnerable energy customers
Steph Barker Electricity, News, Policy, Spotlight 0AusNet is taking steps to understand the vulnerability of customers living with disability to disruptions of electricity services with the release of Yarra Energy Foundation’s (YEF) Shine a Light: Understanding vulnerability at the intersection of disability and electricity services report. The report, commissioned through AusNet’s $30,000 2022 Vulnerability Research Grant, investigates the experiences, risks and impacts faced by customers living […]
Transgrid to offset environmental impacts with biodiversity agreements
Kody Cook Company news, News, Policy, Sustainability 0In an effort to protect native flora and fauna across New South Wales, Transgrid has announced that it will be establishing several Biodiversity Stewardship Agreements (BSAs), one of which is set to be the biggest in the state’s history. The BSAs are designed to offset the biodiversity impact of most of Transgrid’s $1.8 billion EnergyConnect interconnector – the nation’s largest […]
Proposed update to Net Zero Plan welcomed by industry
Steph Barker News, Policy, Spotlight, Sustainability 0The Australian Energy Council (AEC), the peak body for energy retailers and generators, has welcomed proposed updates to Australia’s Net Zero 2050 plan announced by Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, at an address to the Clean Energy Council. The Federal Government’s proposal to update the Net Zero 2050 Plan includes developing sectoral pathways to reducing emissions. […]
ACT Gov establishes new renewable energy industry advisory board
Kody Cook News, People and appointments, Policy, Renewable Energy, Spotlight 0The ACT Government has established the Renewable Energy Innovation Fund (REIF) Industry Advisory Board in an effort to ensure the renewable energy sector continues to deliver the best outcomes for Canberrans. The Board includes seven experts from the commercial, research, and innovation communities. Professor Kenneth Baldwin will serve as the Chair of the REIF Board. Professor Baldwin is a member […]
TAS Gov opens consultation for water supply bill
Steph Barker News, Policy, Projects, Spotlight, Water 0The Tasmania Government has announced that consultation is open for its Water Miscellaneous (Delegation and Industrial Water Supply) Bill 2023. The draft Bill contains proposed amendments to water legislation designed to enable Tasmanian Irrigation to supply water to the Tasmanian Green Hydrogen Hub at Bell Bay. Tasmania Minister for Energy and Renewables, Guy Barnett, said any water supplied to green […]
The Federal Government’s Mandatory Gas Code of Conduct has now become law – coming into effect as of 11 July – and is expected to secure more reasonable gas prices for Australians. The Gas Code is intended to ensure that Australian gas is available for Australian users at reasonable prices, give producers the certainty they need to invest in supply, […]
The Northern Territory Government has released its Territory Water Plan, the first ever whole-of-government plan, which is a package of actions that will set the foundation for delivering water security for all Territorians. The Territory Government said that water security is about balancing competing and complex water demands, pressures and challenges over time to ensure Territorians have access to safe […]
World not on track to meet sustainable development goal, report finds
Steph Barker Electricity, News, Policy, Spotlight, Sustainability 0The world is not on track to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 for energy by 2030, according to findings released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) from the 2023 Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report. The report, released by the IEA, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank, and the […]
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