Brownlee Admits Biodiesel Grants Scheme A Flop

Brownlee Admits Biodiesel Grants Scheme A Flop

Today's announcement by Gerry Brownlee that the biodiesel grants scheme will be extended to include blends of higher than 20 percent is a further admission that the National Government's scheme is a total flop, Labour's Associate Energy spokesperson Chris Hipkins says.

"When National repealed the biofuels sales obligation put in place by the last Labour government Gerry Brownlee claimed that biofuels would still play a big part in our 'energy mix' in the future, yet his replacement subsidy scheme has been a total disaster," Chris Hipkins said.

"Gerry Brownlee was warned when he pushed through the repeal of the biofuel sales obligation under parliamentary urgency in late 2008 that he was pulling the rug out from under the fledgling biofuel industry. He went ahead anyway. That's the type of approach New Zealanders have come to expect from Mr Brownlee. He's not interested in facts or research.

"As at the end of May this year less than $200,000 of the $36 million that has been set aside for the scheme had been taken up. It's been a total flop. Gerry Brownlee claimed the biodiesel grants scheme would create 240 jobs yet it's quite clear that was all bluster and very few jobs have eventuated,” Chris Hipkins said.

"How can Gerry Brownlee claim that the government is serious about encouraging the uptake of biofuels when National’s flagship policy in this area has been a total failure?

"It is becoming increasingly obvious that the government’s commitment to renewable energy is a complete sham. Not only has its flagship biodiesel scheme proved to be a total flop, but the Emissions Trading Scheme has been a shambles and National has continued to vote against measures to promote renewable energy.

"With this sort of track record, how can the Ministers expect New Zealanders to have any confidence in the National Government’s commitment to renewable energy and addressing the challenge of climate change?" Chris Hipkins said.

ENDS