The ACT Greens have criticised ''misleading'' marketing of GreenPower electricity schemes and called for them to be coordinated by the federal government and exempted from carbon tax liability.
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GreenPower customers pay higher power bills in exchange for their provider purchasing the equivalent amount of electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar farms. Many GreenPower customers have been angered by not being exempted from power bill increases linked to carbon pricing.
In a submission to a Senate inquiry into electricity prices, Greens MLA Shane Rattenbury said GreenPower customers should be spared higher costs linked to the carbon tax.
''In investigating the issue further, it has become clear that there are significant issues with GreenPower's operation and management, which are placing unfair price pressures on GreenPower customers,'' he said. Mr Rattenbury also said it was misleading for GreenPower schemes to be marketed as reducing the carbon emissions of the people who purchased them. ''Currently, GreenPower customers do have carbon liabilities, yet GreenPower marketing suggests that, by switching to GreenPower, consumers can reduce their personal emissions.
''In fact, GreenPower customers are reducing the emissions intensity of electricity purchased by the retailers, and, subsequently, reducing the carbon price liability of all electricity customers not specifically their own.
''It should be made clear to consumers that GreenPower is a donation scheme only and claims such as 'Make the switch and cut your greenhouse gas emissions today' and 'You can cut your household greenhouse gas emissions by around 50 per cent' should be withdrawn to avoid further confusions.''
ACT Greens believed the Climate Change Authority should take over the administration of state and territory GreenPower schemes.
