Chamber Welcomes Release of Energy Strategy

11 December 2006

Chamber Welcomes Release of Energy Strategy

The Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce today welcomed the Government’s release of a draft energy strategy, and the two associated discussion papers on reducing greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors of the economy post 2012, and on transitional measures to encourage renewable energy or limit greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity and industrial energy sector.

“There is much detail in these papers that we will need to study carefully. However, we welcome their release and look forward to ongoing discussion with Government about their content,” said Chamber CEO Charles Finny.

“There are some aspects of today’s announcement that we can welcome immediately – a long overdue strategy for New Zealand shipping is an example, as is recognition of the importance of security of supply. There are other aspects which cause some initial concern – a relative lack of focus on impacts on international competitiveness in the Transitional Measures paper is one of these. Likewise we wonder why proposals to change existing RMA processes are being proposed only for wind and geothermal generation projects” Charles Finny continued.

“We welcome the release of these papers and the discussion and consultation that will follow. It is imperative that this consultation be held and that the policies that result have general buy-in from both business and the wider community. We need to continue to strive for a national consensus on the way forward. The Chamber looks forward to playing a full role in the consultation process and the development and design of policy that follows this consultation,” Charles Finny concluded.

ENDS

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