Albany’s Gas Exit and Who Pays

A gas company in Albany, Western Australia, is pulling out of the market, forcing residents and businesses to choose between bottled gas or electric within three years — with no clear plan for who pays the steep transition costs. As gas usage nationwide declines, experts warn governments must act now to avoid costly chaos, yet billions are still being poured into aging pipelines instead of modernizing the electricity grid. For local restaurateur Les Palmer, whose 26-year-old business relies on gas-powered equipment, the forced switch is financially and operationally impossible. Meanwhile, the WA Energy Minister demands ATCO shoulder some responsibility, arguing the company knew the network’s age and chose not to invest — highlighting the growing tension between corporate decisions and community impact as Australia navigates its energy future. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/d05779a26f43d83d