Auckland rail electrification will cut greenhouse emissions significantly

Green Media Release 13th April 2007

The Greens are calling on the Government to fast track the electrification of the Auckland rail network in order to reduce our national greenhouse emissions by more than 230,000 tonnes per year, and in the process reduce the bill to all taxpayers for carbon credits.

"The recent IPCC report made it clear that human caused climate change is accelerating and the impacts on New Zealand will be significant and overwhelmingly detrimental," says Russel Norman, Green Co-Leader.

"The electrification of the Auckland rail network will result in at least a 230,000 tonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per year by 2030, under the conservative assumptions of the plan put forward by the Auckland Regional Transport Authority .

"This would save taxpayers around $35m in carbon credits over a five year period assuming a very low figure of $30 per tonne for emission credits.

"The rail development plan will also save around $3.5 billion in roading construction costs by taking 30,000 people off the roads each weekday morning and afternoon – the equivalent of 24,000 fewer car journeys daily. This will also reduce congestion.

"The Auckland Regional Transport Authority need to make a decision soon as to whether they will buy clean efficient electric units or dirty diesel units, and the Government must step in to provide the funding certainty for an investment in electrification.

"By 2030 oil prices will have increased dramatically and Auckland will desperately need an efficient clean mass transit system that only electric rail can provide.

"It is in the interests of all New Zealanders for our largest city to have an efficient mass transit system as we will all benefit by the reduction in greenhouse emissions and road construction costs."

ENDS

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