12 June 2013e

BANZ MEDIA STATEMENT

Renewable Energy Bill

The Bioenergy Association supports the introduction of legislation that encourages the use of bioenergy for the production of electricity as this will provide employment and economic growth opportunities for rural areas.

Speaking today, Mr Brian Cox, Executive Officer of the Bioenergy Association of New Zealand (BANZ) said that “The introduction of the Renewable Preferences Members Bill into Parliament by Moana Mackey would encourage industry to look at the opportunities we have to use currently wasted biomass from forest harvest operations as an energy source for manufacturing.”

Mr Cox added “Already the wood processing sector has recognised the energy cost savings that have been gained from using biomass for the production of heat and electricity. Most wood processors now use bioenergy as a primary on-site energy source. The next step is for manufacturers who use a lot of energy to also move to using bioenergy.”

“There is a lot of wasted biomass from forestry and organic matter currently going into landfills that is already available to replace the use of fossil fuels. Once we have used all of that we can then also grow a lot more trees in our hill country areas.”

The bioenergy sector has identified in its published New Zealand Bioenergy Strategy that 25% of New Zealand’s consumer energy could come from biomass and other organic matter by 2040.

Mr Cox added that “The recent work by Woodco and its release of a forestry and wood processing strategy shows that the forestry and wood processing sector is already considering the business opportunities from bioenergy. It would be great if the Government could also recognise the employment and economic growth opportunities for rural areas and include bioenergy within its Business Growth Agenda.”

Mr Cox said “It is encouraging that opposition parties are embracing the benefits from renewable energy by introducing this Bill. We hope that the Government recognises that such opportunities will create employment and economic growth for all New Zealand.”

ENDS

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