Monday June 18, 2012 WarrandyteCAN Electricity Bulk Buy

During 2011, Warrandyte Climate Action Now instigated an energy bulk buy scheme in conjunction with an intermediary. 
It was this intermediary, Power Group Purchasing, which raised a tender and solicited response from energy retailers.

We quickly found that we had entered a minefield and to get a suitable offer from energy retailers proved quite difficult as tariffs were
extremely volatile and subject to change before we were able to bed down a concrete offer.  However, recently we felt we had a positive offer that could be recommended and proceeded to arrange an information evening  so that the selected tenderer, Simply Energy, could explain its offer and respond to questions arising from individual circumstances.

Before we were able to advise respondents to the bulk buy scheme of the proposed evening,
we received word that Simply Energy was withdrawing its offer.  This has left us without an offer that can be recommended.  Therefore we advise you that an energy bulk buy scheme for Warrandyte and surrounding areas will not be proceeding, at least not under the auspices of WarrrandyteCAN.  WarrandyteCAN is extremely disappointed that after all the effort that the Group has put into this project together with investing considerable expenditure that it will not be proceeding.

One thing we have learned from this exercise is that the retail energy market is very volatile with prices and promotional offers changing
regularly in response to competitive action.  However, retailers are open to individual negotiation, given the intense competition for market share.

If we are to offer any advice for your ongoing benefit it is that you should talk to your current energy retailer on the basis that there
are very competitive offers around.  You might  advise the retailer that you are considering moving your business, if you have identified better options advertised online or in other media.  We have been regularly advised that retailers will very quickly accommodate any existing competitive offer.

Alternatively, there are a number of established energy brokers who will recommend an energy retailer based on your particular circumstances. 
You can find details of brokers on line and it’s then just a matter of giving them a call. 
Here are a few online brokers able to help identify the best offer for you, relative to your current position but there are several to choose from and we don't necessarily recommend any particular one: Switch Wise           Go Switch            Energy Quotes

WarrarndyteCAN recommends an investment in Green Energy. 
The following brokers (linking to their Green Energy website page) offer information on how retailer’s packages accommodate Green Energy.    Switch Wise            Go Switch

WarrandyteCAN thanks you for your patience and again we are apologise that this bulk buy scheme will not proceed.  Wayne Rankin, President.

Thurs 14 June 2012

Information Update:  WarrandyteCAN sent the Shadow Minister for Families, Housing and Human Services, Federal Member for Menzies the Hon Kevin Andrews MP a letter late May updating him on local survey responses to 100% Renewable Campaign on promoting Big Solar.  The survey results are set out below.  The following reply was received:

"Dear Mr Rankin and Committee Members

Thank you for your letter regarding the WarrandyteCAN climate action group and providing me with the community survey results.  I have read them with interest.  Yours sincerely Kevin Andrews"

Big Solar Survey Results

Questions and Responses -  Warrandyte
(WarrandyteCAN Sustainability Expo April 21, 2012)
[1] Did you know that large scale solar power plants have been built in other parts of the world? (We had a model and large photos of a concentrated solar thermal plant in Spain to point to).
Most people (82.9%) answered yes they were aware that large solar power stations had been built in other countries. (15.8%) answered no they did not know that. 1.3% answered I don’t know if I knew that.
[2] Should we build them here in Australia?
(90.2%) said yes. (1.2%) said no, (4.9%) said “I don’t know” and (3.7%) said they were “not sure”.
[3] “Last year the government set up a new $10 billion dollar fund to support investment in projects like this. Do you support this sort of government funding for big solar”.
(92.6%) said yes, (2.5%) said no, (1.2%) said “I don’t know” while (3.7 %) said they were “not sure”.
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Questions and Responses - La Trobe
(Shopping Centres- Emerald (March 17, 2012), Upwey (March 17), Belgrave (March 25), Monbulk (March 31), Kallista (March 31), Upper Ferntree Gully (April 7) and Berwick (April 14)

[1] Did you know that large scale solar power plants have been built in other parts of the world? (We had a model and large photos of a concentrated solar thermal plant in Spain to point to).
Most people (71.6%) answered yes they were aware that large solar power stations had been built in other countries. (25.2%) answered no they did not know that. 0.8% answered I don’t know if I knew that and (2.4%) said they were not sure if they knew that.
[2] Should we build them here in Australia?
(91.7%) said yes. (2%) said no, (1.6%) said “I don’t know” and (4.7%) said they were “not sure”.
[3] “Last year the government set up a new $10 billion dollar fund to support investment in projects like this. Do you support this sort of government funding for big solar”.
(95%) said yes, (1.6%) said no, (0.4%) said “I don’t know” while (3%) said they were “not sure”.

Wednes 13 June 2012

I’m writing to you this morning from Morwell in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley - home of Hazelwood, Australia’s dirtiest power station.  We’re meeting with unions, local representatives, community groups, businesses, the university and other community leaders, about replacing Hazelwood and what a sustainable, prosperous future for this region can look like.

There are just over two weeks until the June 30 deadline for negotiations to Replace Hazelwood and other dirty power stations across Australia.

So this week is crucial.  We need to convince the government to deliver on their promise, and replace 2000MW of polluting brown-coal fired power stations.
We’ve just heard that Indigo Shire Council in North East Victoria became one of the first councils to pass a motion in support of replacing Hazelwood.

Yesterday 62 volunteers handed out over 35,000 flyers about the campaign at 30 train stations across Melbourne. And more volunteers have begun letterboxing across Victoria. Click here to help with letterboxing  Today, there will be stunts in Brunswick, Melbourne and in Torquay on Victoria’s Surf Coast,

One person attending will be Mr. Darren Cheeseman, the MP for Corangamite. He has received over 7,000 petitions. Now, he’s showing his support for replacing Hazelwood with clean energy and will join the action in Torquay.  Now we need YOU to join in this week’s action, and take our demands right to the top. Can you call the Prime Minister Julia Gillard and ask her to deliver on her commitment to replace 2000MW of brown coal-fired power stations?

It's really easy, and will only take two minutes. Just dial (02) 6277 7700. When the receptionist answers the phone, say:

"My name is ______. I live in________
I'm calling to ask the Prime Minister to deliver on her commitment to close 2000 megawatts of brown coal-fired power and to replace it with clean energy. Thank you"

Make the call so Julia Gillard knows just how wide support for replacing Hazelwood is. The pressure’s on around the country – but what about your town or suburb? She needs to hear from people in Seymour Victoria, Dubbo NSW and Birkdale in Brisbane, Queensland.  With your messages of support flowing in, the Prime Minister will know that the community want Hazelwood replaced with clean energy.

Together we’ve shown that this is a national issue with support across the community. We’ve encouraged councils and politicians to speak out. Your actions have helped keep the government at the negotiating table. Now in these final two weeks let’s make sure they close the deal.  Victoria McKenzie-McHarg, Environment Victoria.