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

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Genesis “about to face the climate fight of 2016”

Genesis “about to face the climate fight of 2016” following revelations it will keep coal burning

Thursday, April 28: This morning it’s been revealed that Genesis Energy will be keeping the coal burners on at New Zealand’s last coal-fired power station until at least 2022, despite promising to turn them off by 2018.

Last year, immediately after Huntly Power Station’s owner Genesis announced that its coal burners would be closing, power companies including Meridian Energy began holding closed-door discussions to backpedal on the decision.

Greenpeace New Zealand climate campaigner Jeff Harrison says Genesis should prepare itself for “the climate fight of 2016”.

“Coal is the dirtiest fuel on the planet. We live in 2016, and we live in New Zealand,” he says.

“Electricity fat cats have got together like some sort of cartel to plot on how to keep coal alive, with zero regard for the climate crisis facing our communities, or the consumers that will have to pay higher costs.

“Rather than invest money in new power sources like wind farms, which are cleaner, cheaper, and create far more jobs than coal ever could, it’s easier for our power companies to stick to the status quo.

“These power companies do not have our best interests at heart. It’s a joke that Meridian Energy, the ringleader of the pack, calls itself a renewable electricity provider to its customers. Meridian Energy is misleading them.”

In New Zealand, coal generates less than 4% of our power yet accounts for 28% of our electricity pollution, with Huntly Power Station being the biggest single source of New Zealand’s carbon emissions.

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.

Harrison says electricity providers, including Meridian, already have consents in place to start building wind farms around the country.

“It’s shameful that our power companies are supporting dirty coal. They have a duty to us to look for cleaner and cheaper solutions,” he says.

“Just four months ago the Government went and made a whole bunch of promises in front of the world at the Paris Climate Conference. And now New Zealand is investing further in coal.”

-ENDS-

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... 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.