Press release: Advance copy of the Government's New Zealand Energy Strategy
: Coal Action Network Aotearoa
Sunday 3rd April
FOR IMMEDIATE USE

The Coal Action Network Aotearoa (CANA) is today releasing a draft of the Government's replacement New Zealand Energy Strategy, which it obtained recently.

"One of the first things the current Government did when it came to power was to announce its intention to replace the previous Government’s New Zealand Energy Strategy, which made some moves towards favouring renewable energy systems over the burning of fossil fuels, and the associated New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy," said CANA spokesperson Frances Mountier.

"We have obtained what appears to be a very recent draft copy of the current Government’s New Zealand Energy Strategy - recent enough that is shows Hekia Parata rather than Gerry Brownlee as the responsible Minister. The previous Government's detailed strategy has been watered down to a 40 page glossy booklet that we have decided to make available on our blog as of today:

http://coalactionnetworkaotearoa.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/nz-energy-strategy-nzeecs-v12-21-march-11-1.pdf

"This document clearly shows that the Government's stated commitment to reducing New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions is a sham. Its top priority is stated as being to develop petroleum and mineral fuel resources ahead of other priorities like developing renewable energy resources, and embracing new energy technologies," Ms Mountier explained. "This approach, which is demonstrated by the present Government's enthusiasm for mining lignite and handing out deep water oil drilling permits regardless of the environmental consequences, is completely incompatible with reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and will instead lead to major increases in emissions."

"This glossy brochure shows how little this Government cares about the environment and about climate change," concluded Ms Mountier. "No amount of smiling faces or pretty graphics can make up for the ugly reality."

ENDS

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