Using coronavirus crisis to cut energy bills
Over 50 social, property, business, environment, local councils and research groups have banded together to call on federal and state governments to stimulate the economy with an energy efficient and solar, low-income housing installation boom.
Doing so would create tens of thousands of jobs, cut energy bills for people on low incomes who will spend back into the economy, and reduce carbon emissions.
The call comes after the Federal Government’s housing stimulus proposal failed to include measures for people most in need, instead focusing on high income earners undertaking expensive renovations without any related social or environmental benefits.
The National Low-Income Energy Productivity Program (NLEPP) proposal includes four measures:
- Social housing - Federal and state/territory governments provide matching funds to invest in energy efficiency upgrades and solar PV installations for social housing.
- Low-income home owners - The Federal Government partner with state, local councils and community organisations to provide energy efficiency upgrades and solar PV installations for low-income owner occupiers.
- Inefficient rental properties - The Federal Government provide grants to landlords to support the upgrade of inefficient rental properties.
- Low-income appliance replacement offer – Governments provide subsidies for low-income households to replace inefficient appliances.
“People on low incomes struggle to put food on the table let alone afford to invest in energy efficiency measures to keep their home warm in winter,” said ACOSS chief executive Dr Cassandra Goldie.
“Government investment would create new jobs that otherwise wouldn’t be created and improve people’s lives."
ACOSS climate and energy senior adviser, Kellie Caught said: “Investment in energy efficiency and solar now could quickly create more than 60,000 jobs in training, auditing, installation, manufacturing and local retail.
“Every dollar spent goes towards helping people most in need, creating jobs and cutting emissions, with every dollar saved on energy bills for a person on low income being spent back into the economy to create more jobs."
Do you think proposals to boost energy efficiency for low income earners is a good suggestion?
The solar panels should be installed on all roofs.
On all new houses it should be mandatory to have solar panels
All solar panels should be produced in Auustralia.