Media Release

28th June, 2013

Environment Commissioner releases smart meters report update

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Dr Jan Wright has released an update to her 2009 report, Smart electricity meters: How households and the environment can benefit.

The update describes the reaction to the original report, including the Government’s response to the Commissioner’s recommendations.

Dr Wright says that the continued lack of leadership in the electricity sector is concerning.

“In 2009 there was an opportunity to standardise the new digital electricity meters and make them really smart. This would have provided a basis for reductions in peak electricity use and benefitted the environment, along with householders.

“Four years on there is substantial funding going into research to make our electricity grid smarter, but technology alone is not enough. We also need to re-examine how we regulate our fragmented electricity system.”

Dr Wright’s update report, is available here. The original report is available here.

ENDS

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