Coal seam gas (CSG) advocates are running a fear campaign against a backdrop of soaring electricity prices in New South Wales. They claim that unless CSG development in NSW goes ahead, household gas bills will triple.
This is a frightening idea, given the stress already caused by electricity price hikes.
Over the past four years the average power bill in NSW has gone up by 69% on top of inflation. Users face a further 18% price hike this year.
Welfare groups say they are providing record levels of assistance to people unable to pay power bills. Sue King, the director of advocacy at Anglicare, told the July 13 Sydney Morning Herald: “People are choosing between heating and eating.” St Vincent de Paul said help on electricity bills now makes up 28% of all the aid it provides.
Now, people in NSW have been told to accept CSG development or face another rise in the cost of living.
Green Left Weekly
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