The ACT is to block all new fossil fuel gas connections in Canberra with a new legal framework established to end the connections.
Welcoming the passage of Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction (Natural Gas Transition) Amendment Bill, Minister for Water, Energy and Emissions Reduction, Shane Rattenbury said preventing new gas connections was the next necessary step in transitioning Canberra to be a zero emissions city.
“This legislation marks a significant milestone in the ACT’s energy transition, setting the framework to prohibit new gas connections in the ACT,” Mr Rattenbury said.
“The first step in phasing out gas completely is to prevent the installation of any new gas,” he said.
“Utilising the legislative framework established in the legislation, I expect regulation to be in place by the end of the year, prohibiting new gas connections in new suburb or new infill developments.
“Now that the ACT is powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity, our next energy challenge is addressing emissions from fossil fuel gas, with gas currently making up about 20% of our emissions.”
Mr Rattenbury said the regulation was anticipated to commence later this year, and that by 2045 Canberra would be an all-electric city, using renewable electricity.
For Canberrans who are looking to start their gas transition journey and go all-electric, he said there were a range of resources, information and support available at www.energy.act.gov.au.
“Research shows that electricity is the most efficient, affordable, and feasible energy source to replace fossil fuel gas use,” the Minister said.
“This is why the ACT Government is encouraging Canberrans to make their next appliances electric as the territory moves away from fossil fuel gas.”
