We were notified this week in a letter from the Department of Primary Industries that the target would be doubled to 5.4 million tonnes of CO2e abatement and Regulations would fix the target for the period 2012-2014.
The VEET program is one of the few programs that Victoria has in place to deliver emissions reductions towards the legislated target to reduce the state’s emissions by 20 percent by 2020. It’s pleasing to see the target doubled and the scheme continued.
Under VEET, household energy efficiency technologies like insulation, efficient cooling, heating and lighting and water saving products are subsidised to reduce their cost of installation. Extending the scheme to small and medium sized businesses will see new energy efficiency technologies supported under the program.
Extending VEET is a great thing for Victorian families and our environment. Energy efficiency programs reduce emissions, save households money, defer expensive investment in new power stations, and create green jobs. A real win win! So its strange that this announcement has flown under the radar with little attempt by the government to promote it. We reckon the Coalition should be shouting it from the roof-tops especially given they have been under criticism for a series of poor environmental decisions since being elected.
Nevertheless, in doubling VEET, the government has done a good thing and we congratulate them. Let’s hope this decision marks a turning point and we’re now getting on with the job of cutting pollution and developing a clear agenda to tackle Victoria’s most urgent environmental problems.