13th October 2006

Marsden B or 37,000 cataract operations - what's it to B?

The coal-fired Marsden B power station will cost the taxpayer $60 million per
year in carbon emissions if it is allowed to proceed, which could be used to pay for 5000 hip replacements, or 3000 coronary bypass operations or 37000 cataract removal surgeries, the Green Party says.

“If Mighty River’s Marsden B power station proceeds it will emit around 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. At the international price of NZ$30 per tonne of carbon dioxide, this will cost the country around $60 million per year to pay for the carbon credits to cover these emissions,” says Russel Norman, Greens’ Co-Leader.

“This money could be used to provide 37,000 cataract removals, or 3000 coronary bypass operations, or 5000 hip replacements,” Dr. Norman says, also the Greens’ Economics Spokesperson.

The Kyoto Protocol requires us to meet our commitments to reduce greenhouse emissions or to purchase carbon credits internationally to cover any emissions in excess of our targets.

“Why is the Government not stepping in to stop a state owned enterprise building a coal fired power station that will cost taxpayers dearly? We need renewable electricity generation not coal.

“Why is the Government moving at snail’s pace to put a price on carbon emissions that would reflect the real cost to the New Zealand taxpayer?

“Climate change is a real threat to our economy, environment and society. New Zealand’s per capita emissions are among the worst in the world. How can we ask others to cut their emissions if we won’t cut ours?

“What’s it to B: Marsden B and more climate change or 37,000 cataract operations?”

ENDS

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