A Gift To Rodney From John Key
Yesterday the National Party released its pro-gas energy policy; I think it’s timely to take a look at how planned fossil fuel projects play out in the communities affected….
When the Government announced its proposed climate legislation in October last year, many residents of the Rodney District North of Auckland breathed a sigh of relief, because the proposal included a target of 90 per cent renewable generation by 2025 and a ban on state-owned enterprises building new fossil fuel generated power plants. Then came proposals for an emissions trading scheme (ETS) and ten-year moratorium on new thermal generation for all electricity generators. It looked like Genesis Energy’s proposal for a new gas-fired power station in Rodney would die a quiet death. At the time, Energy Minister David Parker stated on Radio NZ that the moratorium meant Rodney Power Station would not proceed. Finance Minister Michael Cullen said “We do not need that amount of additional thermal capacity given what we are told is available in terms of wind, geothermal and hydro”.
Read more »
