Extension of Energy Efficiency Opportunities to Electricity and Gas Transmission and Distribution Networks
In its July 2011 Securing a Clean Energy Future package, the Australian Government announced it would extend the Energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) Program to include electricity and natural gas transmission and distribution networks (network businesses). The Government aims to have the temporary exemption of this sector removed from the EEO regulations by 1 July 2012.
Under the expansion, network businesses that use more than 0.5 PJ of energy in a financial year would be required to register for the EEO program. Energy use is intended to include both own use (such as fuel used in gas pipeline compressors), and a network's energy losses.
These proposed changes are in line with recommendations made by the Prime Minister's Task Group on Energy Efficiency. For more information on the broader Clean Energy Future package, see the Clean Energy Future website.
Stakeholder Consultation
To ensure the EEO program is effective and efficient for network businesses, the economy and environment, the department is consulting with stakeholders on two areas:
- The EEO program: identifying any changes that may be required for network businesses including the program's assessment framework, reporting requirements and definitions.
- The regulatory frameworks within which network businesses operate: identifying issues that may need further consideration for the program to be as effective as possible for network businesses.
Options Paper
The Department has considered the initial one-on-one consultation and has developed an options paper to outline proposals to extend the Program. The Department would like to engage in a round of consultation and invite you to comment on the discussion paper.
Submissions close Tuesday 13 March 2012 and should be sent to: energyefficiencyopportunities@ret.gov.au
or
Energy Efficiency Opportunities Development
Attention: Geoff Houen
Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
GPO Box 1564
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Submissions will be treated as public documents and may be posted on the Department’s website, unless requested otherwise.
Stakeholder forums
Stakeholder forums will be held to clarify and discuss the options in the paper:
- Sydney forum Friday 24th February 2012, 1 pm – 4 pm
Mercure Sydney Airport, 20 Levey Street , Wolli Creek NSW - Perth forum Friday 2nd March 2012, 8:30am -10:30 pm(NEW TIME)
Seasons of Perth, 37 Pier Street Perth WA
Please register by 29 February
The Department will also give an overview of the options paper to the Energy Networks Association’s (ENA) Asset Management Committee on Tuesday 21 February in Melbourne.
To register
To register for a stakeholder forum please email tania.milovanovic@ret.gov.au
For more information
For further information on the process to expand the EEO program to electricity and gas transmission and distribution networks, please contact:
Geoff Houen
Networks Project Manager
02 6276 1063
Geoff.houen@ret.gov.au