Latest news with #GasSecurityStatement
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
'Class warfare': blowtorch on softened home gas bans
Controversial state plans to force homeowners to replace busted gas appliances with electric models have been scaled back, as debate rages over future power bill impacts. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping appliance electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a preferred draft policy from December, it would have been mandatory for residential homes to switch gas hot water and heating systems to electric versions at the end of their life. Gas cooktops were excluded. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for electric hot water systems that are too expensive to install, cannot fit the space or require a switchboard upgrade for non-safety reasons. Broken-down gas hot water heaters can also be repaired and systems removed and reinstalled during renovations. In addition, those who own and live in their home will no longer be subject to gas heating replacement bans. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Premier Jacinta Allan denied it was a backflip, saying the softened rules were in response to stakeholder feedback. "We've come back with a package that is about slashing household energy bills," she told reporters at a home at Reservoir in Melbourne's north on Tuesday. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will still be required to be built all-electric from January 1, 2027, as previously planned. Similar requirements are on the way for all residential and large commercial buildings and hotels in Sydney's CBD from the start of 2026. Minimum energy efficiency standards are also coming for Victorian rental properties and public housing from March 2027, including mandatory electrification of hot water systems and heaters at expiry. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast for southeastern states by 2029. The state government said its policies will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. However, fewer customers on gas will eventually push up network distribution costs for those left behind. Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio argued it wasn't an immediate problem as state gas connections are rising and Victorian residents are predicted to still be using more gas than every other state combined by 2035. "It's a bit of scaremongering by those people who want to protect their interests," she said. "Everybody wins from this." The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra was unconvinced, describing the imposition on landlords as "class warfare" and disputing the government's claim of cheaper power bills. "The government's writing cheques on electricity that it may not be able to cash," Mr Guerra told Melbourne radio station 3AW. The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer blanket bans but argued the rules created a risk of unnecessary red tape and added pressure on households and regulators. Opposition energy spokesman David Davis said the reforms were a continuation of the Allan government's "war on gas" and consumer choice. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria, Rewiring Australia and Climate Council all hailed the changes for cost, pollution and health reasons. Controversial state plans to force homeowners to replace busted gas appliances with electric models have been scaled back, as debate rages over future power bill impacts. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping appliance electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a preferred draft policy from December, it would have been mandatory for residential homes to switch gas hot water and heating systems to electric versions at the end of their life. Gas cooktops were excluded. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for electric hot water systems that are too expensive to install, cannot fit the space or require a switchboard upgrade for non-safety reasons. Broken-down gas hot water heaters can also be repaired and systems removed and reinstalled during renovations. In addition, those who own and live in their home will no longer be subject to gas heating replacement bans. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Premier Jacinta Allan denied it was a backflip, saying the softened rules were in response to stakeholder feedback. "We've come back with a package that is about slashing household energy bills," she told reporters at a home at Reservoir in Melbourne's north on Tuesday. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will still be required to be built all-electric from January 1, 2027, as previously planned. Similar requirements are on the way for all residential and large commercial buildings and hotels in Sydney's CBD from the start of 2026. Minimum energy efficiency standards are also coming for Victorian rental properties and public housing from March 2027, including mandatory electrification of hot water systems and heaters at expiry. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast for southeastern states by 2029. The state government said its policies will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. However, fewer customers on gas will eventually push up network distribution costs for those left behind. Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio argued it wasn't an immediate problem as state gas connections are rising and Victorian residents are predicted to still be using more gas than every other state combined by 2035. "It's a bit of scaremongering by those people who want to protect their interests," she said. "Everybody wins from this." The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra was unconvinced, describing the imposition on landlords as "class warfare" and disputing the government's claim of cheaper power bills. "The government's writing cheques on electricity that it may not be able to cash," Mr Guerra told Melbourne radio station 3AW. The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer blanket bans but argued the rules created a risk of unnecessary red tape and added pressure on households and regulators. Opposition energy spokesman David Davis said the reforms were a continuation of the Allan government's "war on gas" and consumer choice. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria, Rewiring Australia and Climate Council all hailed the changes for cost, pollution and health reasons. Controversial state plans to force homeowners to replace busted gas appliances with electric models have been scaled back, as debate rages over future power bill impacts. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping appliance electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a preferred draft policy from December, it would have been mandatory for residential homes to switch gas hot water and heating systems to electric versions at the end of their life. Gas cooktops were excluded. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for electric hot water systems that are too expensive to install, cannot fit the space or require a switchboard upgrade for non-safety reasons. Broken-down gas hot water heaters can also be repaired and systems removed and reinstalled during renovations. In addition, those who own and live in their home will no longer be subject to gas heating replacement bans. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Premier Jacinta Allan denied it was a backflip, saying the softened rules were in response to stakeholder feedback. "We've come back with a package that is about slashing household energy bills," she told reporters at a home at Reservoir in Melbourne's north on Tuesday. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will still be required to be built all-electric from January 1, 2027, as previously planned. Similar requirements are on the way for all residential and large commercial buildings and hotels in Sydney's CBD from the start of 2026. Minimum energy efficiency standards are also coming for Victorian rental properties and public housing from March 2027, including mandatory electrification of hot water systems and heaters at expiry. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast for southeastern states by 2029. The state government said its policies will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. However, fewer customers on gas will eventually push up network distribution costs for those left behind. Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio argued it wasn't an immediate problem as state gas connections are rising and Victorian residents are predicted to still be using more gas than every other state combined by 2035. "It's a bit of scaremongering by those people who want to protect their interests," she said. "Everybody wins from this." The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra was unconvinced, describing the imposition on landlords as "class warfare" and disputing the government's claim of cheaper power bills. "The government's writing cheques on electricity that it may not be able to cash," Mr Guerra told Melbourne radio station 3AW. The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer blanket bans but argued the rules created a risk of unnecessary red tape and added pressure on households and regulators. Opposition energy spokesman David Davis said the reforms were a continuation of the Allan government's "war on gas" and consumer choice. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria, Rewiring Australia and Climate Council all hailed the changes for cost, pollution and health reasons. Controversial state plans to force homeowners to replace busted gas appliances with electric models have been scaled back, as debate rages over future power bill impacts. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping appliance electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a preferred draft policy from December, it would have been mandatory for residential homes to switch gas hot water and heating systems to electric versions at the end of their life. Gas cooktops were excluded. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for electric hot water systems that are too expensive to install, cannot fit the space or require a switchboard upgrade for non-safety reasons. Broken-down gas hot water heaters can also be repaired and systems removed and reinstalled during renovations. In addition, those who own and live in their home will no longer be subject to gas heating replacement bans. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Premier Jacinta Allan denied it was a backflip, saying the softened rules were in response to stakeholder feedback. "We've come back with a package that is about slashing household energy bills," she told reporters at a home at Reservoir in Melbourne's north on Tuesday. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will still be required to be built all-electric from January 1, 2027, as previously planned. Similar requirements are on the way for all residential and large commercial buildings and hotels in Sydney's CBD from the start of 2026. Minimum energy efficiency standards are also coming for Victorian rental properties and public housing from March 2027, including mandatory electrification of hot water systems and heaters at expiry. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast for southeastern states by 2029. The state government said its policies will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. However, fewer customers on gas will eventually push up network distribution costs for those left behind. Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio argued it wasn't an immediate problem as state gas connections are rising and Victorian residents are predicted to still be using more gas than every other state combined by 2035. "It's a bit of scaremongering by those people who want to protect their interests," she said. "Everybody wins from this." The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra was unconvinced, describing the imposition on landlords as "class warfare" and disputing the government's claim of cheaper power bills. "The government's writing cheques on electricity that it may not be able to cash," Mr Guerra told Melbourne radio station 3AW. The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer blanket bans but argued the rules created a risk of unnecessary red tape and added pressure on households and regulators. Opposition energy spokesman David Davis said the reforms were a continuation of the Allan government's "war on gas" and consumer choice. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria, Rewiring Australia and Climate Council all hailed the changes for cost, pollution and health reasons.
The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Home gas appliance replacement bans eased, pushed back
Home owners won't be forced to replace gas heaters and hot water systems with electric models when they break down under revised state rules. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a draft policy from December, Victorian households were expected to have to switch gas hot water and heating appliances to electric versions at the end of their life. The preferred option excluded gas cooktops. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for upgrades that are too expensive or cannot fit, allow broken-down gas hot water heaters to be repaired and let systems be removed and reinstalled during renovations. In another backdown, those who own and live in their own home will no longer be subject to replacement bans for gas heating. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Electric hot water systems would save households about $330 a year or $520 for those with solar, according to government estimates. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will be required to be built all electric from January 1, 2027 as previously planned. Minimum energy efficiency standards will also be rolled out for rental properties and public housing, including mandatory replacement of hot water systems and heaters at the end of their lives with heat pumps and reverse-cycle air conditioners. There are no changes to end-of-life replacement gas appliances rules in existing commercial buildings, or the use of LPG by households and businesses. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast by the Australian Energy Market Operator for southeastern states by 2029. The government said its reforms will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. Premier Jacinta Allan hailed it as a win-win for households, industry and jobs. "It's good for industry, workers, renters and families," she said. "We are not just making sure Victoria has the gas it needs - we are reserving it for industry." The Greens accused Ms Allan of scaling back ambition on climate action by not including gas heaters on its replacement ban list. "This will lock people into higher bills and more pollution," state party leader Ellen Sandell said. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria and Rewiring Australia were more positive, saying the regulations set a benchmark for other states and would ease cost pressures on households and businesses. "Every Victorian with a gas bill landing on their kitchen table this winter knows how crazy gas prices have been getting," the council's chief executive Luke Menzel said. "We can't afford not to electrify our space heating in this state." The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer outright bans but argued the reforms still risk creating unnecessary red tape, administrative delays and added pressure on households and regulators. Home owners won't be forced to replace gas heaters and hot water systems with electric models when they break down under revised state rules. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a draft policy from December, Victorian households were expected to have to switch gas hot water and heating appliances to electric versions at the end of their life. The preferred option excluded gas cooktops. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for upgrades that are too expensive or cannot fit, allow broken-down gas hot water heaters to be repaired and let systems be removed and reinstalled during renovations. In another backdown, those who own and live in their own home will no longer be subject to replacement bans for gas heating. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Electric hot water systems would save households about $330 a year or $520 for those with solar, according to government estimates. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will be required to be built all electric from January 1, 2027 as previously planned. Minimum energy efficiency standards will also be rolled out for rental properties and public housing, including mandatory replacement of hot water systems and heaters at the end of their lives with heat pumps and reverse-cycle air conditioners. There are no changes to end-of-life replacement gas appliances rules in existing commercial buildings, or the use of LPG by households and businesses. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast by the Australian Energy Market Operator for southeastern states by 2029. The government said its reforms will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. Premier Jacinta Allan hailed it as a win-win for households, industry and jobs. "It's good for industry, workers, renters and families," she said. "We are not just making sure Victoria has the gas it needs - we are reserving it for industry." The Greens accused Ms Allan of scaling back ambition on climate action by not including gas heaters on its replacement ban list. "This will lock people into higher bills and more pollution," state party leader Ellen Sandell said. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria and Rewiring Australia were more positive, saying the regulations set a benchmark for other states and would ease cost pressures on households and businesses. "Every Victorian with a gas bill landing on their kitchen table this winter knows how crazy gas prices have been getting," the council's chief executive Luke Menzel said. "We can't afford not to electrify our space heating in this state." The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer outright bans but argued the reforms still risk creating unnecessary red tape, administrative delays and added pressure on households and regulators. Home owners won't be forced to replace gas heaters and hot water systems with electric models when they break down under revised state rules. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a draft policy from December, Victorian households were expected to have to switch gas hot water and heating appliances to electric versions at the end of their life. The preferred option excluded gas cooktops. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for upgrades that are too expensive or cannot fit, allow broken-down gas hot water heaters to be repaired and let systems be removed and reinstalled during renovations. In another backdown, those who own and live in their own home will no longer be subject to replacement bans for gas heating. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Electric hot water systems would save households about $330 a year or $520 for those with solar, according to government estimates. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will be required to be built all electric from January 1, 2027 as previously planned. Minimum energy efficiency standards will also be rolled out for rental properties and public housing, including mandatory replacement of hot water systems and heaters at the end of their lives with heat pumps and reverse-cycle air conditioners. There are no changes to end-of-life replacement gas appliances rules in existing commercial buildings, or the use of LPG by households and businesses. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast by the Australian Energy Market Operator for southeastern states by 2029. The government said its reforms will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. Premier Jacinta Allan hailed it as a win-win for households, industry and jobs. "It's good for industry, workers, renters and families," she said. "We are not just making sure Victoria has the gas it needs - we are reserving it for industry." The Greens accused Ms Allan of scaling back ambition on climate action by not including gas heaters on its replacement ban list. "This will lock people into higher bills and more pollution," state party leader Ellen Sandell said. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria and Rewiring Australia were more positive, saying the regulations set a benchmark for other states and would ease cost pressures on households and businesses. "Every Victorian with a gas bill landing on their kitchen table this winter knows how crazy gas prices have been getting," the council's chief executive Luke Menzel said. "We can't afford not to electrify our space heating in this state." The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer outright bans but argued the reforms still risk creating unnecessary red tape, administrative delays and added pressure on households and regulators. Home owners won't be forced to replace gas heaters and hot water systems with electric models when they break down under revised state rules. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a draft policy from December, Victorian households were expected to have to switch gas hot water and heating appliances to electric versions at the end of their life. The preferred option excluded gas cooktops. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for upgrades that are too expensive or cannot fit, allow broken-down gas hot water heaters to be repaired and let systems be removed and reinstalled during renovations. In another backdown, those who own and live in their own home will no longer be subject to replacement bans for gas heating. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Electric hot water systems would save households about $330 a year or $520 for those with solar, according to government estimates. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will be required to be built all electric from January 1, 2027 as previously planned. Minimum energy efficiency standards will also be rolled out for rental properties and public housing, including mandatory replacement of hot water systems and heaters at the end of their lives with heat pumps and reverse-cycle air conditioners. There are no changes to end-of-life replacement gas appliances rules in existing commercial buildings, or the use of LPG by households and businesses. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast by the Australian Energy Market Operator for southeastern states by 2029. The government said its reforms will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. Premier Jacinta Allan hailed it as a win-win for households, industry and jobs. "It's good for industry, workers, renters and families," she said. "We are not just making sure Victoria has the gas it needs - we are reserving it for industry." The Greens accused Ms Allan of scaling back ambition on climate action by not including gas heaters on its replacement ban list. "This will lock people into higher bills and more pollution," state party leader Ellen Sandell said. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria and Rewiring Australia were more positive, saying the regulations set a benchmark for other states and would ease cost pressures on households and businesses. "Every Victorian with a gas bill landing on their kitchen table this winter knows how crazy gas prices have been getting," the council's chief executive Luke Menzel said. "We can't afford not to electrify our space heating in this state." The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer outright bans but argued the reforms still risk creating unnecessary red tape, administrative delays and added pressure on households and regulators.
Perth Now
9 hours ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Home gas appliance replacement bans eased, pushed back
Home owners won't be forced to replace gas heaters and hot water systems with electric models when they break down under revised state rules. The Victorian government has ticked off sweeping electrification regulations for homes and businesses. Under a draft policy from December, Victorian households were expected to have to switch gas hot water and heating appliances to electric versions at the end of their life. The preferred option excluded gas cooktops. But the incoming rules have been altered to grant exemptions for upgrades that are too expensive or cannot fit, allow broken-down gas hot water heaters to be repaired and let systems be removed and reinstalled during renovations. In another backdown, those who own and live in their own home will no longer be subject to replacement bans for gas heating. The changes were supposed to come into force in 2026 but have been pushed back to March 2027. Electric hot water systems would save households about $330 a year or $520 for those with solar, according to government estimates. All new homes and new commercial buildings - other than industrial, manufacturing and agricultural buildings - will be required to be built all electric from January 1, 2027 as previously planned. Minimum energy efficiency standards will also be rolled out for rental properties and public housing, including mandatory replacement of hot water systems and heaters at the end of their lives with heat pumps and reverse-cycle air conditioners. There are no changes to end-of-life replacement gas appliances rules in existing commercial buildings, or the use of LPG by households and businesses. The revised home and business regulation changes were announced alongside a Gas Security Statement to avoid shortages forecast by the Australian Energy Market Operator for southeastern states by 2029. The government said its reforms will save just under 12 petajoules (PJ) of gas each year by 2029 and 44PJ by 2035, enough to meet 85 per cent of Victoria's forecast industrial demand. Premier Jacinta Allan hailed it as a win-win for households, industry and jobs. "It's good for industry, workers, renters and families," she said. "We are not just making sure Victoria has the gas it needs - we are reserving it for industry." The Greens accused Ms Allan of scaling back ambition on climate action by not including gas heaters on its replacement ban list. "This will lock people into higher bills and more pollution," state party leader Ellen Sandell said. The Energy Efficiency Council, Environment Victoria and Rewiring Australia were more positive, saying the regulations set a benchmark for other states and would ease cost pressures on households and businesses. "Every Victorian with a gas bill landing on their kitchen table this winter knows how crazy gas prices have been getting," the council's chief executive Luke Menzel said. "We can't afford not to electrify our space heating in this state." The Australian Pipelines and Gas Association welcomed fewer outright bans but argued the reforms still risk creating unnecessary red tape, administrative delays and added pressure on households and regulators.
