Early Maui depletion chance to break the habit

13 November 2001

The Green Party said today that news that the Maui gas field may run out two years early highlighted the urgent need to move to renewable sources of energy.

"With the finalising of the Kyoto protocol in the weekend, New Zealand has committed to reducing its emissions back to 1990 levels.

"Instead of looking for new gas fields to run the two new gas power stations that the Government has allowed to go ahead, New Zealand would be wise to invest in clean renewable technologies like wind power.

"Government-owned power companies have made significant profits the power crisis and the resulting price hikes for electricity. It's time to reinvest some of that money in cleaner energy production which will allow us to meet our Kyoto limits."

Ms Fitzsimons said natural gas is an inefficient source of electricity and a polluting one in terms of greenhouse gases.

"Even using the best technology available, nearly half of the gas is wasted when electricity is produced, and some of the older power stations waste nearly two-thirds.

"What gas remains should be directed to homes and industry use where it is much more efficient."

"It's time to break the habit rather than find a new oil or gas fix," said Ms Fitzsimons. "We urgently need to clean up our energy use and the early depletion of Maui gives us one more reason to do it sooner rather than later."

ENDS

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