The federal government has committed $67 million towards investment in new energy efficiency measures in what it says will reduce the bills of businesses and households.
The Energy Efficient Communities Program will provide $50 million in more than 2500 grants to eligible businesses and community organisations to help them save energy by either installing new equipment or by reviewing and improving their energy management.
Eligible small businesses will be able to claim grants of up to $20,000, high-energy using businesses up to $25,000, and community groups up to $12,500.
A statement from Minister for Energy Angus Taylor said, “We are also taking steps to expand the National Australian Built Environment Rating System to include more types of commercial buildings, such as schools, industrial buildings and retail stores”.
“This will improve and increase energy efficiency in this sector by allowing building owners to understand and benchmark their energy use.”
“We are also investing in the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings by broadening resources to help homes become more energy efficient, examining options to apply Energy Rating labels to heating appliances, and reviewing the Commercial Building Disclosure Program to expand it to even more high-energy use buildings.”
“Together, this investment will deliver an abatement of 63Mt of carbon, ensuring we make a meaningful contribution to our emissions.”
The energy efficiency measures are the latest in the Morrison Government’s energy pledges this week, which include $1.38b for Snowy 2.0 and $56m for the Marinus Link.
