Grants support smarter energy use across the community

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Greg Combet, and the Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, today announced new funding rounds for three energy efficiency grant programs to drive smarter energy use in business, local government, households and communities.

A second round of grants is now being offered in the following programs:

• The Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) - a $200 million program to help local government and not-for-profit community organisations undertake energy efficiency upgrades to community infrastructure such as council buildings and recreation centres.
• The Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP) - a $100 million program to demonstrate smarter energy use and provide practical advice and assistance to low-income households across Australia.
• The Energy Efficiency Information Grants (EEIG) - a $40 million program to support small to medium-sized businesses and community groups by providing tailored information and advice on saving energy and cutting costs with smarter energy choices.

“The investment in trialling and demonstrating smarter ways to use energy in Australian households, communities and businesses will create new job opportunities and strengthen local economies,” said Combet.

“For regional communities and smaller councils, the second round of CEEP grants will make it easier to access assistance for projects that benefit low socio-economic and other disadvantaged communities, especially in regional and rural areas,” said Dreyfus.

“The LIEEP grants are targeted directly at households that need practical help to improve energy efficiency to cope with the rising cost of living. LIEEP supports the most vulnerable in making smart energy choices to improve living standards while reducing energy use,” Dreyfus added.

The second round of the EEIG program will add to the $20 million already allocated to 28 projects in the manufacturing, agriculture, retail and tourism sectors. These projects provide practical information to time-poor businesses on conserving energy and saving money through to energy smart choices. 

“Today, I encourage all eligible applicants to apply. The government is committed to promoting better energy efficiency - it saves money, cuts pollution and improves our living standards at home and in the community. These are the benefits of moving towards a clean energy future,” said Dreyfus.

Program opening and closing dates are:

• Community Energy Efficiency Program: 30/10/12 - 7/02/13
• Low Income Energy Efficiency Program: 30/10/12 - 13/12/12
• Energy Efficiency Information Grants: 30/10/12 -20/12/12

To find out more about the government’s plan for a clean energy future, visit www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au.