Green Party Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons has welcomed the Government’s continued support for a raft of energy efficiency initiatives being developed by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.

The Green Party secured $3 million in additional Government funding for EECA in last year’s Budget, and this funding has now been secured in baseline for this and future years.

“Most importantly this funding allows EECA to continue developing and implementing the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy which is required by my Energy Efficiency Act passed last year,” said Ms Fitzsimons.

“Saving energy is the cheapest and easiest way to start combating climate change,” she said.

Under Energy Minister Pete Hodgson, EECA now has a draft National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy on the table and open for public submissions until June 1.

“Finalising the strategy will be a significant step toward meeting the obligations of the Act to save energy and encourage renewable energy sources,” she said.

Ms Fitzsimons said this year’s Budget will also enable EECA to continue working on Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPs) for selected classes of domestic appliances and electrical goods.

“There is also increased funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy grants and assistance. This includes the Energy Saver Fund which provides grants to low-income people for improving energy efficiency in their homes.

“This materially improves the comfort and health of these people by reducing illnesses caused by cold and damp.”

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>