The NSW Public Accounts Committee is travelling to Tamworth to receive input to its Inquiry on the Economics of Energy Generation.
Tamworth has historic links to power generation given that in 1888 it became the first town in Australia to provide municipal electric street lighting.
"The Minister for Energy asked the Committee to conduct the inquiry due to concerns about long-term energy security for NSW," Committee Chair, Jonathan O'Dea said.
"The subject is also particularly topical given the substantial increases in power prices, including one effective from 1 July."
The Committee has taken evidence from key stakeholders such as researchers, electricity retailers, the coal industry and alternative energy providers, including those promoting solar, gas, wind, geothermal and nuclear power.
Input is also being received from individuals through the newDemocracy Foundation's model of a Citizens' Policy Jury. In brief, invitations were sent to randomly drawn addresses in Tamworth and environs and in Greater Sydney, including northern suburbs, with a population profile by age and gender used to generate final groups of around 30 in both locations.
"The Citizens' Policy Juries have had access to a wealth of information and will report after four meeting dates," Mr O'Dea said.
"The third meeting will be held on Saturday 21 July and will be open to the general public between 9:00 and 10:30 at the Tamworth Community Centre. Visitors can hear from participants and see how the process works.
"The final meeting will be held next month and early feedback indicates the deliberative outcomes and final recommendations may be surprising to many," Mr O'Dea concluded.
