The Federal Senate Economics References Committee is currently conducting an enquiry into residential electrification. The enquiry’s terms of reference include the economic benefits of household electrification, barriers to electrification, costs and benefits, and solutions to economic barriers for low-income households. Public submissions to the enquiry are due by 29 September.
Electrifying our homes and neighbourhoods is one of the most effective ways to reduce local emissions while also reducing living costs. Rewiring Australia predicts that by 2030 a fully electrified household will save its occupants $5000 per year on energy and fuel when compared with the average Australian household today (the potential savings are smaller, but still significant, in Grayndler and Sydney). That’s why it’s important that government policies switch to supporting and encouraging electrification as soon as possible, including by helping households who would benefit from electrification but can’t afford the up-front costs.
Newtown Climate will be making a submission, and we’d love to hear your views so we can include them in our submission. You can contact us via social media (links below) or email hello@newtownclimate.org.