Energy Cost Savings
I support the initiatives of Rewiring Aotearoa and Electrify Wairarapa to have the council adopt a Ratepayer Assistance Scheme to help with electrification upgrades and to grow the number of solar installations in Carterton. This will help reduce energy costs for our residents.
This is not a grant or a subsidy. It gives Carterton residents access to low interest long term loans. It is a scheme that has been endorsed by the minister of energy Simon Watts. It supports ratepayers by leveraging a council’s high credit rating and passing on the interest savings to ratepayers.
The proposed scheme would provide choice to ratepayers, supporting those on low and fixed incomes. It provides a cost-effective way to change appliances - such as gas water heating to electric. It also provides the ability for those to implement solar where they otherwise could not afford to.
The interest rates could be between 1 to 1.5% lower than standard mortgage rates.
© Simon Casey
