Federal Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon today welcomed the announcement that two organisations in the Hunter electorate will receive funding to improve energy efficiency.
Maitland City Council will receive $646,607 to implement 38 projects over 32 sites that will increase the energy efficiency of non-residential council and community use buildings and facilities. The projects will result in 1,269,155 mega joules of energy savings a month.
YMCA of Sydney will receive $369,528 to implement 57 efficiency measures at five community sport and recreation centres, one of those being the Kurri Kurri Aquatic Centre.
Mr Fitzgibbon said these are great examples of the innovative projects being funded by the carbon price under the Clean Energy Future package.
The second round of grants under the Clean Energy Future package will receive a total $110 million.
Todays announcement shows how the carbon price is funding smart, cost-effective improvements in low income households, community facilities, councils and businesses across Australia, Mr Fitzgibbon said.
Improving energy efficiency across the economy is central to our Clean Energy Future. It will play a pivotal role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting energy costs and boosting productivity.
Grants are being provided through three of the Clean Energy Future programs:
The Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) provides co-funding to upgrade local government and community facilities such as museums, recreation centres, town halls and libraries with better amenities like lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning;
The Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP) provides practical advice and energy efficiency upgrades that will benefit around 33,000 low income households across Australia;
Energy Efficiency Information Grants (EEIG) deliver tailored advice for small to medium sized businesses and community groups on ways to cut their energy use.
A list of grant recipients and further details about the programs is available at http://ee.ret.gov.au/energy-efficiency/grants.
