The New South Wales Government has ordered the state’s electricity retailers to itemise the impact of the carbon tax and renewable energy schemes on energy bills.
Electricity prices in the state are continuing to rise beyond the general rate of inflation.
One factor in the increases is renewable energy programs such as the Solar Bonus Scheme.
Premier Barry O’Farrell says he is also worried about the impact of the Federal Government’s carbon tax.
He says consumers are entitled to know exactly how much of their bill relates to the tax and green energy schemes.
The Premier says the Government has written to the state’s three major electricity retailers advising them they will soon have to detail that information.
“The Federal Government claims that it won’t have a huge impact upon power prices, but we beg to differ on the basis of Treasury estimates,” Mr O’Farrell said.
“The public will be able to determine that, because on their power bills after the the first of July next year, the detail of how much the carbon tax is pushing up power prices will be made available.”
Greens MP John Kaye says Mr O’Farrell is not telling the whole story.
“If Mr O’Farrell is serious about letting consumers know what’s driving up the cost of their electricity bills, he should also include the $17.9 billion of wires and poles spending,” he said.
“That’s far greater than the money that’s being spent on renewable energy or the cost of the carbon price.”
