Electrification and energy efficiency is the most effective way to reduce household energy bills.
Victorian Trades Hall Council (VTHC), Environment Victoria (EV) and Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS) have each made submissions to the Victorian Government’s Building Electrification Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) consultation supporting electrification and ending our states reliance on gas.
Upgrading Victorian homes and commercial buildings to electrical appliances will create thousands of jobs in the building trades, manufacturing and associated industries, and reducing reliance on inefficient fossil gas will help Victoria reach its emissions reductions targets of 75-80% by 2035.
Our joint organisations back the work of the Victorian Government in supporting households to electrify their homes.
Workers and households affected by the cost-of-living crisis will benefit greatly from cheaper and more predictable energy bills. Low-income households and renters must be supported to electrify their homes to ensure they are not left behind, and are able to benefit from the financial savings.
Future policies and legislation for advancing electrification should focus on supporting households that will benefit most, as these savings will have a significant impact on low-income households’ budgets.
Quotes attributable to Juanita Pope, CEO, VCOSS
“VCOSS is a strong supporter of Victoria’s electrification agenda. Electric homes powered by renewables are better for people’s health, their wallets and the planet. Research shows that an all-electric home has less than half the running costs of a fossil fuel home.
“In a global cost-of-living crisis and climate emergency, now is the time to support Victorian households to make the switch.
“We know that some Victorians – particularly low-income households and renters – will need help to manage the up-front cost of transition to safer, more efficient electric appliances. Prioritising support for these households will mean that all Victorians can enjoy the health benefits and bill savings of electrification.”
Quotes attributable to Danae Bosler, Assistant Secretary, VTHC
“The transition to renewable energy, which includes upgrading home and commercial buildings to electric power will create almost 60000 new jobs over the coming decade. It’s an opportunity too good to be missed – more jobs and cheaper bills for workers.”
Quotes attributable to Jono La Nauze, CEO, EV
“Victoria is running out of gas, but the solutions are right in front of us, if we only have the foresight to grab them.
“Switching out old inefficient gas appliances when they break for efficient electric ones will cut greenhouse gas emissions, indoor pollution and energy bills. Gas is a polluting fossil fuel. Recent analysis shows homes with efficient electric appliances have lower emissions than ones with gas and that will only improve as our grid continues to become renewable.”
MEDIA CONTACT:
James Norman, Media and Content Manager – 0451291775
j.norman@environmentvictoria.org.au