Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Energy solution in broad daylight


7 May, 2003
Energy solution in broad daylight

Green Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said the Government should look to the heavens to help solve the energy crisis - and she's not talking about praying for rain.

"Now is the time to invest in solar water heating and I call on Minister Pete Hodgson to get the ball rolling by offering a solar heating installation subsidy to households and businesses which would see them saving far more than the 10 per cent target in energy this winter," said Ms Fitzsimons.

"A household with electric hot water could expect to save a quarter of its total power consumption over a year and 15 to 18 per cent during the winter months with a suitable, competent solar installation."

"A good installation could earn as much as 15 per cent a year on the capital invested and for householders that is all tax-free, unlike investing in banks, and it will go on saving power for at least 20 years.

"Solar water heating can be even more cost effective for businesses like motels and farm dairy sheds.

"More immediately, if the hot water is turned off by the power companies, solar users won't suffer from cold showers.

Ms Fitzsimons said a large scale Government tender to install units in all suitable public sector buildings over five years was important to allow the solar industry to build production capacity and train more installers.

She will question the Minister in the house today over his dismissal of solar water heating as a significant contribution to saving energy.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

"The Government's Renewable Energy Strategy has set a target of 10,000 units installed every year, yet there has been little progress on this.

"Given the potential of this neglected opportunity I cannot understand why Minister Pete Hodgson said in the house last week 'when one starts to do the arithmetic one finds that they are not usually useful'. He needs to think again."

"The public sector must take the lead with a widespread installation programme in suitable buildings like hospitals, state houses and school swimming pools.

"Government power consumption would be significantly reduced and the solar industry can begin to operate on a cost-effective economy of scale."


ENDS

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.