STATE // VICTORIA’S government has announced plans to extend the state’s pollution reduction scheme, the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target, which aims to reduce emissions and electricity bills for home owners and businesses.
Above: a solar hot water system. Photo by John S Quarterman (flickr, creative commons)
First published in the 28 August 2015 edition of the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen. Get your copy today for FREE from retailers across Baw Baw.
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State energy minister Lily D’Ambrosio unveiled the changes at Victoria’s first Energy Efficiency and Productivity Summit on Tuesday.
The Labor government’s alterations will extend the VEET from three to five years and boost the target by 20 per cent over five years – from 5.4 million certificates in 2017 to 6.5 million in 2020.
Each certificate represents one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent abated through specified energy saving activities.
“The strengthening of the VEET scheme reflects our commitment to energy efficency as a way of helping Victorians reduce their energy bills and create more Victorian jobs,” Ms D’Ambrosio said in a media release.
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Above: Lily D’Ambrosio. Photo via Facebook.
The VEET provides an incentive for homes and businesses to save energy, offering certificates in return for eligible energy efficiency activities, including draft reduction, insulation and installation of efficient lights, heating systems and appliances.
Changes to the VEET scheme have been welcomed by the energy efficiency industry, following a period of apprehension under the previous state government.
The Napthine Liberal government proposed scrapping the VEET entirely after a review in May 2014 suggested the scheme had minimal benefits.
But Energy Efficiency Council Chief Luke Menzel said he supported Labor’s plans for the VEET.
“The ECC welcomes the Victorian government’s commitment to raise the VEET,” Mr Menzel said in a media release.
“As Lily D’Ambrosio… said, this will lower bills for homes and businesses while creating more jobs in the energy efficiency sector.”
Environment Victoria CEO Mark Wakeham also expressed his support for the measures, reportedly saying the government’s move was “sending a strong signal that it wants clean energy jobs and less pollution.”
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