ETS will devastate families, increase emissions

ETS Bill will devastate Kiwi families while increasing NZ’s CO2 emissions

Struggling Kiwi families will be $3000 a year poorer if the Emissions Trading Scheme is passed, the Petroleum Exploration and Production Association (PEPANZ) has warned.

“Research shows quite clearly that passing the ETS Bill could result in 22,000 job losses for New Zealanders,” Association executive director, John Pfahlert, said today.

“That will cut a $3,000 hole in each Kiwi household’s annual spending.

“Even if you thought that sacrifice was worth it, the sad truth is the radical measures proposed in the Bill won’t affect climate change one iota.

“In fact, the real irony is that the restriction on new thermal generation, which is part of the Bill, has actually been shown to increase, rather than decrease, New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions.

“So, all this Bill will do is ensure Kiwi families and businesses will suffer for nothing more than symbolism and political ideology.”

Mr Pfahlert said other effects of passing the ETS include a 15% jump in power prices in the short term and a 40%-50% hike over the next 15 years.

“Add that to the financial impact of thousands of job losses and then see how happy the average household is.”

The respected Wall Street Journal says New Zealand is already a ‘low carbon dioxide emitter’and that meeting its Kyoto targets ‘will be hard’ because we already use a wide range of hydro power and renewable energy.

“If we’re serious about reducing the impacts of climate there are far more sensible approaches than this scheme which has been rushed through Parliament and which shows rash disregard for the effects on Kiwi families and small businesses who will suffer most,” Mr Pfahlert said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media