Hon
David Parker - 11/12/2006 - Energy and Climate
Change Minister David Parker today released the
Government's draft energy strategy, which proposes
that as much new electricity generation as possible
should be renewable.
Mr Parker said the energy strategy
aims to ensure New Zealand develops a sustainable
and affordable energy system which minimises greenhouse
gas emissions, and which will give New Zealand
an enduring competitive advantage over other countries.
"There is a lot the government
is already doing to encourage renewable generation,
lower emissions, and improve energy efficiency,
but the strategy and other studies make it clear
that more needs to be done.
"We are now developing
a series of long-term programmes which will make
a significant difference to energy security and
greenhouse gas emissions. Central to this is the
New Zealand Energy Strategy and the aim that new
electricity generation should be renewable, except
to the extent necessary to maintain security of
supply."
Other key elements of the strategy
include:
Introducing renewable fuels as substitutes for
petrol and diesel
Improving efficiency of the vehicle fleet, through
age/technology standards
Improving consumer choice through vehicle efficiency
information standards
Biofuels increasing over time and the introduction
of plug-in electric vehicles
Increasing support for public transport and non-motorised
forms of transport
Developing a New Zealand shipping strategy and
other different ways to move freight
More solar water heating
More energy efficient homes and buildings
Funding for the early deployment of marine-based
electricity generation such as wave or tidal,
worth $8 million over four years
Increasing competition in the electricity market
by reducing restrictions on generation and retailing
by lines companies
Creating a pathway for internalisation of fossil
fuel emissions in the electricity sector so costs
are met by those who create them
Consideration of RMA consent applications for
wind and geothermal electricity generation projects
in groups, to better compare national benefits
and environmental impacts.
"Promoting renewable energy is central to
New Zealand's future. The New Zealand Energy Outlook
to 2030 predicts oil use to increase by 35 per
cent and energy-related greenhouse gas emissions
to rise 30 per cent, if we do not change the way
we produce and use energy.
"New Zealand is in the
fortunate position of being able to produce large
amounts of low-emissions electricity from renewable
resources, such as hydro and wind, which are plentiful
and cheap by world standards.
"These proposals could
make a significant difference to New Zealand's
energy security and level of emissions, and put
us on a path to carbon neutrality. They are crucial
to transforming our economy, and to New Zealand's
identity as a clean, green nation."
Complementing the draft New
Zealand Energy Strategy are two additional discussion
papers. One is on the longer-term options for
addressing greenhouse gas emissions across all
sectors of the economy beyond 2012, and the other
proposes transitional measures to encourage renewable
energy and/or limit greenhouse gas emissions in
the electricity and industrial energy sector as
part of moving to the longer-term policy.
"To reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, New Zealand is likely to need a combination
of voluntary, price-based and regulatory measures,
some targeted towards individual sectors of the
economy and some for the economy as a whole,"
Mr Parker said.
"Strong input and buy-in
from all sectors is required to finalise and then
implement this strategy, and I welcome rigorous
debate on this important issue."
The closing date for submissions
on the draft strategy is 30 March 2007.
The Minister begins the process
for consultation on the draft strategy with a
series of briefings to stakeholders this week.
Ministry now consulting on proposed
water measuring device regulation
1 December 2006 - People can
now have their say on a new National Environmental
Standard that will provide greater information
about how much water is taken from our freshwater
resources.
The proposed National Environmental
Standard for Water Measuring Devices covers the
measurement of water taken from rivers, lakes
or aquifers as part of a resource consent. It
sets out the minimum requirements for installing
and using new water measuring devices, including
the transfer of data to regional councils.
A reference group of water users
– regional and district councils, urban water
authorities and irrigation and farming interests
– has helped prepare the proposed standard to
ensure it is a useful and practical tool.
The proposed Standard does not
apply to water supplied to households by water
supply authorities or community water supplies.
“We have received considerable
encouragement to develop this Standard,” says
Ministry for the Environment Chief Executive Hugh
Logan. “There is recognition that the more accurate
the information we have about our water use, the
better we can manage our precious freshwater resources.
“The government wants to improve
the efficiency of water use in New Zealand. Information
on actual amounts of water used is a key to demonstrating
efficiency.”
The development of the proposed
water measuring device standard is part of the
Sustainable Water Programme of Action’s implementation
package, agreed to by government this year.
“Water is one of our most precious
assets. Despite the abundance of rainfall in recent
weeks demand on freshwater resources is increasing
and, in some places at some times, exceeding what
is sustainable. We can no longer be complacent.”
A discussion document outlining
the content and rationale for the proposed Standard
is available on the Ministry’s website: www.mfe.govt.nz.
Anybody can make a submission.
Submissions close on 16 February 2007.
