ESPERANCE GAS
DISTRIBUTION COMPANY
566. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the minister representing the
Minister for Energy:
I refer to the recent notification
received by customers of the Esperance Gas Distribution Company, EGDC, about
its impending withdrawal of service.
(1) When was the government first
notified of EGDC's intention to withdraw services?
(2) What discussions have taken place between the
government, Esperance shire council and EGDC regarding its withdrawal
from supplying reticulated gas to Esperance? Please table details and dates of
the respective meetings.
(3) What steps is
the government taking to ensure that the Esperance community is not left
disadvantaged and without critical services such as heating, cooking appliances
and hot water?
(4) What steps is the government taking to assist
businesses that may be impacted by the withdrawal of services?
Hon ALANNAH MacTIERNAN
replied:
I
thank the member for the question. The following information has been provided
to me by the Minister for Energy.
(1) Energy Policy WA understands that a letter to
customers has been sent by EGDC that flagged it will confirm with the
government its position on gas retailing and distribution services by the end
of September 2021.
(2) The
government has been in discussions with Infrastructure Capital Group, the owner
of EGDC, over the past year regarding the activities in Esperance.
(3)–(4) I have asked Energy Policy WA to work with Horizon
Power and recommend available options to facilitate the future
continuity of energy supplies to homes and businesses within Esperance if EGDC
decides to abandon its gas retail customers. This will include the
consideration of time frames for the implementation of these options and any
likely impacts on consumers' bills.