EECA Consults on Energy Levy-Funded Activities

EECA Consults on Energy Levy-Funded Activities

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is seeking feedback on its proposed energy levy-funded activities for the 2018/19 year.

EECA receives part of its funding from levies collected from the engine fuel, electricity and gas sectors.

EECA’s Chief Executive Andrew Caseley says the proposed levies and funding programme highlight the opportunities where the greatest gains can be made in energy efficiency and carbon reduction.

‘We know that transport fuels and process heat requirements are key areas that need to be tackled in New Zealand’s energy use and emissions profile.’

‘Improving energy efficiency improves productivity, helps New Zealand meet its climate change goals to reduce emissions and saves consumers money.’

‘We estimate New Zealand could save about about 15-20 % of the country’s annual $18.5 billion in energy costs – so it’s a win-win.’

The levy part-funds activities that meet EECA’s statutory role to ‘encourage, promote, and support energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the use of renewable sources of energy’.

EECA is proposing to deliver programmes including technology demonstrations, a Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund, electric vehicle information campaign, work with large energy users to help reduce and decarbonise energy use, investment in improving the energy efficiency of commercial buildings and a programme to regulate the energy efficiency of appliances.

For the 2018-19 year the Authority is consulting on a total of $14 million from the following levies*:

• Petroleum or Engine Fuel Monitoring (PEFM) levy: $7.5 million (54%)

• Electricity industry levy: $5.2 million (37%)

• Gas Safety, Monitoring and Energy Efficiency (GSMEE) levy: $1.3 million (9%)

*The Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 extended the range of levies EECA can utlise to allow it to focus on opportunities where the greatest gains can be made in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The levy consultation document is here. More information on the levy funding programme can be found here

Consultation on the 2018/19 levy programme is open from 16 November to 15 December 2017. People who want to make a submission on the programme can email us at levyconsultation@eeca.govt.nz, write to us at EECA, 44 The Terrace, Wellington 6140, or fill out this survey.

ENDS

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is the Crown agency that encourages, supports, and promotes energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the use of renewable energy in New Zealand. EECA provides information to households through ENERGYWISETM energywise.govt.nz and to businesses through EECA BUSINESSTM eecabusiness.govt.nz

© Scoop Media