❓ Mr Marlborough asks about energy conservation advice during hot weather. Mr Ripper provides tips for households and announces a new sustainable energy development office, while also criticising a previous initiative.
AnsweredQoN 538Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
POWER CONSUMPTION, HINTS
Given the onset of hot weather and the likely spikes in power consumption, does the Government have any advice for the public about steps it can take to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Mr RIPPER
Given the onset of hot weather and the likely spikes in power consumption, does the Government have any advice for the public about steps it can take to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions? Mr RIPPER
AnswerView source ↗
The member is quite right; there is always a summer peak in power consumption, usually in March, which exceeds the winter power consumption spike. In fact, last summer, power consumption reached 2 538 megawatts on one day. That was not just the shredding machines operated by the former Government after the election; it came from home temperature control and refrigeration, which accounts for more than 40 per cent of electricity use in most homes. Every citizen and household can play a role in energy conservation; and that, of course, delivers flow-on benefits for the environment. We expect power use to rise as people rely heavily on airconditioners, and as refrigerators have to work harder to keep food cold. Mr Barnett: Do you subscribe to natural power? Mr RIPPER: The problem with the natural power initiative is that no-one subscribes to it! It has 450 customers. That initiative by the former Minister for Energy was a huge success! He was definitely a failure as Minister for Energy when it comes to that matter. There are things that people can do, other than subscribe to the former Minister for Energy’s failed natural power scheme. Western Power advises that households can reduce power consumption in a number of ways; for example, make sure the fridge thermostat is working; defrost the freezer when the ice is five millimetres thick; keep curtains closed to prevent heat gain; clean airconditioner filters regularly; turn down the hot water thermostat; and use cold water in the washing machine. Every citizen and household can cooperate to reduce electricity use. Western Power has produced a booklet entitled “Smart ways of using electricity”, which is available to members if they want to give their constituents a few tips. The Government also has a responsibility. The Government must take steps to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a couple of weeks, I will announce the formation of a sustainable energy development office. That office will have responsibility for developing a range of energy conservation-energy efficiency measures, and for promoting renewable energy. Once again, with that announcement, we will be honouring an election commitment.
Mr RIPPER replied: The member is quite right; there is always a summer peak in power consumption, usually in March, which exceeds the winter power consumption spike. In fact, last summer, power consumption reached 2 538 megawatts on one day. That was not just the shredding machines operated by the former Government after the election; it came from home temperature control and refrigeration, which accounts for more than 40 per cent of electricity use in most homes. Every citizen and household can play a role in energy conservation; and that, of course, delivers flow-on benefits for the environment. We expect power use to rise as people rely heavily on airconditioners, and as refrigerators have to work harder to keep food cold. Mr Barnett: Do you subscribe to natural power? Mr RIPPER: The problem with the natural power initiative is that no-one subscribes to it! It has 450 customers. That initiative by the former Minister for Energy was a huge success! He was definitely a failure as Minister for Energy when it comes to that matter. There are things that people can do, other than subscribe to the former Minister for Energy’s failed natural power scheme. Western Power advises that households can reduce power consumption in a number of ways; for example, make sure the fridge thermostat is working; defrost the freezer when the ice is five millimetres thick; keep curtains closed to prevent heat gain; clean airconditioner filters regularly; turn down the hot water thermostat; and use cold water in the washing machine. Every citizen and household can cooperate to reduce electricity use. Western Power has produced a booklet entitled “Smart ways of using electricity”, which is available to members if they want to give their constituents a few tips. The Government also has a responsibility. The Government must take steps to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a couple of weeks, I will announce the formation of a sustainable energy development office. That office will have responsibility for developing a range of energy conservation-energy efficiency measures, and for promoting renewable energy. Once again, with that announcement, we will be honouring an election commitment.
The member is quite right; there is always a summer peak in power consumption, usually in March, which exceeds the winter power consumption spike. In fact, last summer, power consumption reached 2 538 megawatts on one day. That was not just the shredding machines operated by the former Government after the election; it came from home temperature control and refrigeration, which accounts for more than 40 per cent of electricity use in most homes. Every citizen and household can play a role in energy conservation; and that, of course, delivers flow-on benefits for the environment. We expect power use to rise as people rely heavily on airconditioners, and as refrigerators have to work harder to keep food cold. Mr Barnett: Do you subscribe to natural power? Mr RIPPER: The problem with the natural power initiative is that no-one subscribes to it! It has 450 customers. That initiative by the former Minister for Energy was a huge success! He was definitely a failure as Minister for Energy when it comes to that matter. There are things that people can do, other than subscribe to the former Minister for Energy’s failed natural power scheme. Western Power advises that households can reduce power consumption in a number of ways; for example, make sure the fridge thermostat is working; defrost the freezer when the ice is five millimetres thick; keep curtains closed to prevent heat gain; clean airconditioner filters regularly; turn down the hot water thermostat; and use cold water in the washing machine. Every citizen and household can cooperate to reduce electricity use. Western Power has produced a booklet entitled “Smart ways of using electricity”, which is available to members if they want to give their constituents a few tips. The Government also has a responsibility. The Government must take steps to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a couple of weeks, I will announce the formation of a sustainable energy development office. That office will have responsibility for developing a range of energy conservation-energy efficiency measures, and for promoting renewable energy. Once again, with that announcement, we will be honouring an election commitment.
Mr Barnett: Do you subscribe to natural power? Mr RIPPER: The problem with the natural power initiative is that no-one subscribes to it! It has 450 customers. That initiative by the former Minister for Energy was a huge success! He was definitely a failure as Minister for Energy when it comes to that matter. There are things that people can do, other than subscribe to the former Minister for Energy’s failed natural power scheme. Western Power advises that households can reduce power consumption in a number of ways; for example, make sure the fridge thermostat is working; defrost the freezer when the ice is five millimetres thick; keep curtains closed to prevent heat gain; clean airconditioner filters regularly; turn down the hot water thermostat; and use cold water in the washing machine. Every citizen and household can cooperate to reduce electricity use. Western Power has produced a booklet entitled “Smart ways of using electricity”, which is available to members if they want to give their constituents a few tips. The Government also has a responsibility. The Government must take steps to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a couple of weeks, I will announce the formation of a sustainable energy development office. That office will have responsibility for developing a range of energy conservation-energy efficiency measures, and for promoting renewable energy. Once again, with that announcement, we will be honouring an election commitment.
Mr RIPPER: The problem with the natural power initiative is that no-one subscribes to it! It has 450 customers. That initiative by the former Minister for Energy was a huge success! He was definitely a failure as Minister for Energy when it comes to that matter. There are things that people can do, other than subscribe to the former Minister for Energy’s failed natural power scheme. Western Power advises that households can reduce power consumption in a number of ways; for example, make sure the fridge thermostat is working; defrost the freezer when the ice is five millimetres thick; keep curtains closed to prevent heat gain; clean airconditioner filters regularly; turn down the hot water thermostat; and use cold water in the washing machine. Every citizen and household can cooperate to reduce electricity use. Western Power has produced a booklet entitled “Smart ways of using electricity”, which is available to members if they want to give their constituents a few tips. The Government also has a responsibility. The Government must take steps to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a couple of weeks, I will announce the formation of a sustainable energy development office. That office will have responsibility for developing a range of energy conservation-energy efficiency measures, and for promoting renewable energy. Once again, with that announcement, we will be honouring an election commitment.
The Government also has a responsibility. The Government must take steps to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a couple of weeks, I will announce the formation of a sustainable energy development office. That office will have responsibility for developing a range of energy conservation-energy efficiency measures, and for promoting renewable energy. Once again, with that announcement, we will be honouring an election commitment.
Mr RIPPER replied: The member is quite right; there is always a summer peak in power consumption, usually in March, which exceeds the winter power consumption spike. In fact, last summer, power consumption reached 2 538 megawatts on one day. That was not just the shredding machines operated by the former Government after the election; it came from home temperature control and refrigeration, which accounts for more than 40 per cent of electricity use in most homes. Every citizen and household can play a role in energy conservation; and that, of course, delivers flow-on benefits for the environment. We expect power use to rise as people rely heavily on airconditioners, and as refrigerators have to work harder to keep food cold. Mr Barnett: Do you subscribe to natural power? Mr RIPPER: The problem with the natural power initiative is that no-one subscribes to it! It has 450 customers. That initiative by the former Minister for Energy was a huge success! He was definitely a failure as Minister for Energy when it comes to that matter. There are things that people can do, other than subscribe to the former Minister for Energy’s failed natural power scheme. Western Power advises that households can reduce power consumption in a number of ways; for example, make sure the fridge thermostat is working; defrost the freezer when the ice is five millimetres thick; keep curtains closed to prevent heat gain; clean airconditioner filters regularly; turn down the hot water thermostat; and use cold water in the washing machine. Every citizen and household can cooperate to reduce electricity use. Western Power has produced a booklet entitled “Smart ways of using electricity”, which is available to members if they want to give their constituents a few tips. The Government also has a responsibility. The Government must take steps to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a couple of weeks, I will announce the formation of a sustainable energy development office. That office will have responsibility for developing a range of energy conservation-energy efficiency measures, and for promoting renewable energy. Once again, with that announcement, we will be honouring an election commitment.
The member is quite right; there is always a summer peak in power consumption, usually in March, which exceeds the winter power consumption spike. In fact, last summer, power consumption reached 2 538 megawatts on one day. That was not just the shredding machines operated by the former Government after the election; it came from home temperature control and refrigeration, which accounts for more than 40 per cent of electricity use in most homes. Every citizen and household can play a role in energy conservation; and that, of course, delivers flow-on benefits for the environment. We expect power use to rise as people rely heavily on airconditioners, and as refrigerators have to work harder to keep food cold. Mr Barnett: Do you subscribe to natural power? Mr RIPPER: The problem with the natural power initiative is that no-one subscribes to it! It has 450 customers. That initiative by the former Minister for Energy was a huge success! He was definitely a failure as Minister for Energy when it comes to that matter. There are things that people can do, other than subscribe to the former Minister for Energy’s failed natural power scheme. Western Power advises that households can reduce power consumption in a number of ways; for example, make sure the fridge thermostat is working; defrost the freezer when the ice is five millimetres thick; keep curtains closed to prevent heat gain; clean airconditioner filters regularly; turn down the hot water thermostat; and use cold water in the washing machine. Every citizen and household can cooperate to reduce electricity use. Western Power has produced a booklet entitled “Smart ways of using electricity”, which is available to members if they want to give their constituents a few tips. The Government also has a responsibility. The Government must take steps to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a couple of weeks, I will announce the formation of a sustainable energy development office. That office will have responsibility for developing a range of energy conservation-energy efficiency measures, and for promoting renewable energy. Once again, with that announcement, we will be honouring an election commitment.
Mr Barnett: Do you subscribe to natural power? Mr RIPPER: The problem with the natural power initiative is that no-one subscribes to it! It has 450 customers. That initiative by the former Minister for Energy was a huge success! He was definitely a failure as Minister for Energy when it comes to that matter. There are things that people can do, other than subscribe to the former Minister for Energy’s failed natural power scheme. Western Power advises that households can reduce power consumption in a number of ways; for example, make sure the fridge thermostat is working; defrost the freezer when the ice is five millimetres thick; keep curtains closed to prevent heat gain; clean airconditioner filters regularly; turn down the hot water thermostat; and use cold water in the washing machine. Every citizen and household can cooperate to reduce electricity use. Western Power has produced a booklet entitled “Smart ways of using electricity”, which is available to members if they want to give their constituents a few tips. The Government also has a responsibility. The Government must take steps to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a couple of weeks, I will announce the formation of a sustainable energy development office. That office will have responsibility for developing a range of energy conservation-energy efficiency measures, and for promoting renewable energy. Once again, with that announcement, we will be honouring an election commitment.
Mr RIPPER: The problem with the natural power initiative is that no-one subscribes to it! It has 450 customers. That initiative by the former Minister for Energy was a huge success! He was definitely a failure as Minister for Energy when it comes to that matter. There are things that people can do, other than subscribe to the former Minister for Energy’s failed natural power scheme. Western Power advises that households can reduce power consumption in a number of ways; for example, make sure the fridge thermostat is working; defrost the freezer when the ice is five millimetres thick; keep curtains closed to prevent heat gain; clean airconditioner filters regularly; turn down the hot water thermostat; and use cold water in the washing machine. Every citizen and household can cooperate to reduce electricity use. Western Power has produced a booklet entitled “Smart ways of using electricity”, which is available to members if they want to give their constituents a few tips. The Government also has a responsibility. The Government must take steps to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a couple of weeks, I will announce the formation of a sustainable energy development office. That office will have responsibility for developing a range of energy conservation-energy efficiency measures, and for promoting renewable energy. Once again, with that announcement, we will be honouring an election commitment.
The Government also has a responsibility. The Government must take steps to conserve energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In a couple of weeks, I will announce the formation of a sustainable energy development office. That office will have responsibility for developing a range of energy conservation-energy efficiency measures, and for promoting renewable energy. Once again, with that announcement, we will be honouring an election commitment.
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