Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Energy spokesperson
Many Tasmanians are concerned and confused by about the mixed messages they’re getting from the government about the energy crisis, and what their role is.
We know very well we're in the midst of a crisis, but no one is really sure if it's okay to switch on their heaters as the weather gets colder.
There are simple, low cost solutions like sealing up houses, and turning down hot-water cylinder and heater thermostats, that will help use less power and save money.
The best case scenario is that we’re going into winter with less electricity generation capacity than our annual average. Minister Groom needs to be straight about how he plans to deal with the big spikes in energy use in the colder months.
The job of the Minister is to have a conversation with everyone. Minister Groom should be talking to the major Industrials, small businesses and household users about how we can help ease the energy burden in the coming winter months.
While Minister Groom would've breathed a sigh of relief that the Basslink fault was found, we still have many more months of energy insecurity. Even if Basslink is fixed by the mid-June estimate, our dams are still bare.
Minister Groom boxed himself into a corner months ago by refusing to contemplate power rationing, well before knowing how the situation was going to unfold.
As winter approaches, it's time to drop the weasel words and be honest with Tasmanians about what to expect, and what they can do to help themselves.