Message from the Minister for Energy

It is with great pleasure that I commend to you the Sustainable Energy Development Office's e-newsletter, Sustainable Energy Matters.

One of the most compelling questions facing our society today is how can we make real steps towards a more sustainable society. Energy is central to that question and increasing the sustainability of energy supply and use is clearly one of the means that we have of making that transition.

The renewable energy and energy efficiency industries are growing and have the potential to create new jobs and to contribute to the State's economy. They can also play an important role in reducing pollution and other environmental impacts of the energy that we use.

An effective strategy for a sustainable energy future requires an integrated approach across government, industry and the community. Through the Sustainable Energy Development Office, the Western Australian Government is encouraging the growth of Western Australia's sustainable energy industries by promoting increased adoption of renewable energy technologies and the increased uptake of energy efficiency products and practices.

I encourage wide discussion on the issue of sustainable energy among the 1,800 stakeholders who will receive the first edition of this newsletter and I look forward to reading subsequent editions over the years covering the many important topics in this area.

Hon Eric Ripper
Minister for Energy

Builders Go Solar

Dale Alcock, Scott Park, Rural Building Company, National Homes, WA Housing Centre, Plunkett Homes, Ross Squire Homes, Homestart, Commodore Homes and other housing construction companies are laying the foundation for Western Australians to take advantage of the State's abundant sunshine by specifying solar hot water systems as standard in their house range. With new homes currently making up around 75% of the applications for the State Government's Solar Water Heater Subsidy and the Western Australian housing market booming, the subsidy is set to deliver enormous savings on home energy consumption and power bills.  More info...

Saving Energy

The Department of Agriculture is showing leadership in environmental management by becoming the second State Government agency in Western Australia to put in place a 'Greening the Department' initiative. Part of this initiative will help the agency meet its energy reduction targets set by the State Government through the Energy Smart Government program. The Energy Smart Government program has the potential to save millions of dollars as participating agencies work to achieve a 12% reduction in their non-transport related energy use by 2006/07.  More info...

Retail Outlets Reach for the Stars

The Sustainable Energy Development Office is working in partnership with Betta Electrical, Harvey Norman, Myer Megamart, Retravision and Rick Hart to promote high energy efficiency and high star-rated appliances to consumers as part of the national Reach for the Stars program.  More info...

Councils Help to Save Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The Local Councils of Cambridge, Cottesloe, Nedlands, Mosman Park, Peppermint Grove and Subiaco have joined forces in the Coastal Climate Saver project to help reduce energy and water usage by those communities. The project involves the distribution of compact fluorescent lamps and water efficient tap valves to local residents at discounted prices, through funding assistance provided by the Sustainable Energy Development Office Grants Committee.  More info...

Energy Smart Products and Services

Are you looking for energy efficient or renewable energy products or services but don't know where to find them? Are you looking to promote your sustainable energy business? The Sustainable Energy Development Office has created a web-based Energy Smart Directory to help you look for suppliers of sustainable energy products and services and to know where to find them. The Directory currently lists more than 200 Western Australian companies supplying a diverse range of sustainable energy products and services throughout Western Australia.  More info...

Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Forum to be held on 12 November

The Australian Building Greenhouse Rating is a national initiative that involves using a software tool to assess the greenhouse gas emissions generated by office buildings. The scheme provides accredited assessments of the greenhouse energy intensity of office buildings by awarding a star rating on a scale of one to five. The higher the star rating, the more energy efficient the building and the lower the energy operating costs.  More info...
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