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

 

Government Plan To Replace Coal Use Welcomed, But Concerns Remain

Coal Action Network Aotearoa today gave a cautious welcome to the Government's announcement of a $70 million investment to increase electrification of industrial and process heat in the lower South Island.

"Continued mining and burning of coal and other fossil fuels in the midst of a climate crisis is criminal," said Tim Jones of Coal Action Network Aotearoa. "So we welcome the news that the Government is making a commitment to replace coal-burning heat plant in the South Island with renewable sources of energy."

"However, major concerns remain. Firstly, we have too many cows, polluting too much water and using way too much synthetic fertiliser - all of which is a major contributor to the country's greenhouse gas emissions. Along with replacing coal, we need to be moving agriculture away from the present industrial dairying model which has done so much harm.

Secondly, using biomass sourced from wood waste is another source of renewable energy provided forests are replanted - and it frees up electricity for other uses. We hope the Government will not neglect the role of sustainably sourced biomass in replacing fossil fuels."

Turning to the Government's announcement of an $30 million investigation into a pumped hydro storage scheme at Lake Onslow, Tim Jones said "We do need more storage so we can shut down Huntly's coal plant, and we shouldn't even be thinking about new gas as backup, but we are being cautious right now because we are unclear about the impacts, including the effect on the Teviot flathead, a highly endangered native galaxiid fish. Also, the water from this scheme must not be used for irrigation to create yet more dairy farms in country that is not suitable for dairying."

"Is it time we stopped mining and burning coal in Aotearoa? Absolutely. But in replacing coal, we need to make sure that we're not creating other environmental problems," said Tim Jones.

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.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 

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.