DEUN On National's Energy Policy

Domestic Energy Users Network On National's Energy Policy

The energy policy just released by the national party is a worrying return to ‘think big’. “It's about security through surplus of generation”, says Molly Melhuish of DEUN (Domestic Energy Users Network), “Surplus power will be soaked up by energy-intensive industries, as has happened since the late 1960s while any overseas borrowing to build energy and other infrastructure projects will further burden the taxpayers.”

“Domestic consumers would face ever-increasing price rises, as fuel prices rise towards international levels. Lpg prices have doubled this year because of new contracts based on international prices. Price rises have already driven increasing numbers of domestic consumers into energy poverty. Meanwhile the political parties fiddle while the people freeze!” says Mrs Melhuish.

DEUN calls on all parties to achieve energy security instead through energy efficiency, solar energy, and diverse renewable energy supply throughout the country. Household energy efficiency would improve peoples' health, reduce their power bills, provide sustainable employment throughout the country, and reduce government's Kyoto obligations which taxpayers must pay for.

Energy costs will continue to rise, because of peak oil and climate change. Sustainable, affordable household energy can only be achieved through a massive programme of energy efficiency, funded from windfall profits from domestic power bills. DEUN policy states that at least half the funding to mitigate energy poverty must be invested in household energy efficiency that will protect householders permanently from peak oil price rises and climate change impacts.

ENDS

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