THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
Cabinet Secretary
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
MEDIA RELEASE
CENTRAL VICTORIA TRIALS SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS
The Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency Mark Dreyfus today welcomed the results of the Central Victoria Solar City project, which was launched in 2009 as part of the Governments $94 million Solar Cities Program.
Solar Cities is a partnership between government, businesses and local communities to trial sustainable energy solutions that help households and business use less energy, cut energy costs and generate their own electricity, Mr Dreyfus said.
The Central Victoria Solar City project is producing exciting results from its trials of sustainable energy solutions, having already engaged over 2000 households and 20 local businesses to become more energy efficient.
The clean energy trial run by Central Victoria Solar City has had a real impact on the energy use in the community and I look forward to seeing the results from this real world experiment applied in other communities around Australia.
The Government is committed to supporting local communities to understand their energy consumption and make the adjustment to a clean energy future. Measures to assist communities and regions include:
An expansion of the Governments Low Carbon Communities program to improve the energy efficiency of council and community buildings and low-income households.
Energy efficiency information grants - $40 million in grants over the next four years to industry associations and non-government organisations to promote energy efficiency measures among small businesses and community groups.
Household advice line and website - the Governments LivingGreener website (www.livinggreener.gov.au) will be expanded to provide information on how households can improve energy efficiency to save money.
More information on the Governments Clean Energy Future package is available at www.cleanenergyfuture.gov.au
THURSDAY, 28 JULY 2011
