Should the Regional Council help households to install sustainability improvements (e.g. solar panels, insulation, clean heating)?
Supporting households to
reduce their greenhouse gas
emissions, such as by increasing
the efficiency of their energy use
and increasing renewable electricity
generation, is part of the shift to a
low carbon future.
In Rotorua, we have run a ‘Hot Swap’ programme, in partnership with Rotorua Lakes Council, where ratepayers are offered a loan to replace old wood burners for cleaner heating technology to improve the city’s air quality.
We have the option of establishing a similar scheme for a wider range of sustainability initiatives for households across the region.
The issue
Energy use accounts for an estimated
10% of the Bay of Plenty’s greenhouse
gas emissions, mostly from national
grid electricity that is derived from
non-renewable sources. There is an
opportunity for households to help
reduce these emissions by increasing
the efficiency of their energy use, and
potentially generating at least part of
their own electricity with solar panels.
Installation of sustainability initiatives, such as insulation, efficient heating and solar panels, could contribute to a reduction in household energy demand and associated greenhouse gas emissions. It may also contribute to lower power bills and improved health due to warmer, drier and healthier homes.
We want to know whether you support Regional Council providing loans as incentives for households to install sustainability initiatives. We’re also interested in your views on the best model for such a scheme out of the options presented below.
The options
| Description | Level of Service Effects | Financial Effects | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1* | No additional funding allocated | Unchanged | No change |
| 2. | Provide low interest loans to households for installing sustainability initiatives | Increase | Approximately $20,000 per annum
increase in expenditure, the equivalent
to 0.07% increase in general rates, or on
average, $0.11 (incl GST) per rating unit.
This assumes interest charges cover the
administration costs of the scheme. |
| 3. | Option two, but also include partial grants for low income households | Increased | Approximately $60,000 p.a. increase
in expenditure, the equivalent to 0.21%
increase in general rates, or on average,
$0.34 (incl GST) per rating unit.
This assumes interest charges cover the
administration costs of the scheme for
interest bearing loans. Grants create rates
impact over and above marketing costs. |
| 4. | A combination of low interest loans+ no interest loans+ partial grants (for low income households) | Increased | Approximately $61,200 per annum increase
in expenditure, the equivalent to 0.21%
increase in general rates, or on average,
$0.35 (incl GST) per rating unit.
This assumes interest charges cover the
administration costs of the scheme for
interest bearing loans. Grants and
interest-free loans create rates impact
over and above marketing costs. |
*Preferred option
Make a submission
Let us know what you think. Make a submission on our plans for the next 10 years
