The National Energy Savings Initiative Working Group (representing the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism) is seeking stakeholder comment on an issues paper.
As part of the Clean Energy Future plan, the government is committed to further work on a national energy savings initiative (ESI).
An ESI would place obligations on energy retailers to help their household and business customers find and implement energy savings.
The working group is examining various design options for an ESI, whether an ESI would help consumers make savings by encouraging the identification and take-up of cost-effective energy-savings opportunities, and whether a national approach to an ESI is preferred to a state-by-state approach as currently exists.
The decision to progress with a national ESI will be conditional on a positive cost benefit analysis, the agreement of the Council of Australian Governments and the abolition of existing and planned state schemes.
The issues paper seeks the views of individuals and organisations on the possible objectives, design and implementation issues of a national ESI. The paper was developed following stakeholder workshops in Adelaide and Melbourne and input from the National Energy Savings Initiative Advisory Group.
Subject to demand, half-day workshops to discuss an ESI and the issues paper may be held in January and February in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
Submissions close on Monday 27 February 2012.