Follow science not electricity hysteria

Relating to the petition "on the rising cost of electricity" currently circulating around the Central Coast, I would like to make some observations and comments.

Australian electricity prices are amongst the lowest in the world, while our per capita income is amongst the highest.

We are the second largest emitters of CO2 in the world.

A price on carbon pollution would provide a disincentive to use coal-fired electricity.

As a country, we can easily afford higher energy prices.

I am a sustainability consultant and an energy assessor, and I regularly see extremely wasteful practices of energy consumption in housing.

I have data that shows some individuals have energy consumption that is 90 times the energy consumption of other individuals in their usual lifestyles.

A way to make a carbon tax work is to charge a differential price for energy based on quantity of consumption.

The higher the consumption of energy, the higher the price paid per unit of electricity.

There is therefore an incentive to not waste energy.

The money earned could be used to subsidise the vulnerable, and also to retrofit inefficient houses.

With the current options of housing design and technology available, at little cost, it is possible to pay nothing for electricity, without compromising comfort.

Our house is one such example amongst many other householders living a low- carbon lifestyle.

To ensure a quality of life for future generations, current generations need to reduce energy consumption.

The Liberal party position is completely out of touch with the needs to reduce carbon pollution, and would do well to be guided by science rather than hysteria.

Email, 2 Jan 2011 Ian Garradd, Woy Woy