Displace high CO2 fuels with LPG

August 3, 2004

Displace high CO2 fuels with LPG

New Zealand could help control its escalating greenhouse gas problem by displacing high CO2 fuels with cleaner-burning LPG.

The LPG Association said today that New Zealand could begin immediately to cut CO2 emissions if Government helped to encourage more use of LPG in the industrial and light commercial sectors.

“Displacing high CO2 industrial fuels with LPG is a low-cost and effective strategy that would have immediate environmental, energy efficiency and economic benefits,” Association executive director, Peter Gilbert, said.

The LPG Association was responding to the release of the Ministry of Economic Development’s Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions report. That report indicated energy sector CO2 emissions have risen 41 percent between 1990 and 2003.

Mr Gilbert said using LPG to displace coal would cut CO2 emissions by 33%. Displacing light fuel oil would mean a 17% reduction in CO2 emissions. Displacing heating oil would cut CO2 emissions by 12%.

Because LPG is virtually particulate-free, it would also help to control smog problems like those affecting Christchurch and other South Island areas. And LPG can also claim valuable energy efficiency advantages over diesel, light fuel oil and coal.

“Using LPG meets all the criteria and is a sensible option for helping to control our growing CO2 problem,” Mr Gilbert said.

“It’s in plentiful supply, it’s cost-effective and the environmental results are immediate. We shouldn’t ignore such an option, especially if our current strategies are not working.”

ENDS

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