No STOS Maui Appeal but CJT mission lives on

No STOS Maui Appeal but CJT mission lives on

Climate Justice Taranaki (CJT) will not file an appeal on the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)’s decision to grant Shell Todd Oil Services a 35 year consent to expand its operations at the Maui gas field.

“This is in no way an endorsement of EPA’s decision. Legal opinion we have received indicates that there are arguments on which we could appeal on a point of law.

During the submission and hearing processes, we articulated strongly to the Decision Making Committee the extensive scientific, logical and ethical grounds on which to substantially limit the consent duration, to require a bond and indemnity insurance and to develop a decommissioning plan. None of these were included. How can the Ministry of Environment possibly claim that EPA is being too precautionary?” asked Catherine Cheung, Climate Justice Taranaki.

“As the recent performance reviews on EPA pointed out, a large number of staff don’t know what the organisation’s mission is. Many also believe that EPA exists to support applicants, ministers or decision making committees, not the public which it is ultimately accountable to.

No wonder the current political climate and ‘justice’ system are so hostile to us and others who want change for public good,” said Cheung.

“Given the high costs and how weak and disjointed current environmental laws are, we decided not to appeal, but to regroup, gather forces and continue our work. Our mission is to change the system to one that speaks truth to power, recognizes the limits of our planet, and empowers communities to become sustainable and resilient to the impacts of climate change,” concluded Emily Bailey, Climate Justice Taranaki.

ENDS

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