Oil Rig appears in the Majestic Centre as EPA hearings about Māui gas field begin

Passers-by were left in no doubt about why an oil rig had suddenly appeared in the Majestic Centre on Willis St this morning. Signs and a huge banner extending the length of their in-door waterfall explained Oil Free Wellington’s opposition to Shell Todd Oil Services marine consent application: “You can’t live on a dead planet with a dead ocean.”

Shell Todd Oil Services have applied to continue their extraction of fossil fuels in the Māui gas fields for 35 years. The consent will be decided by the EPA, who began the hearings today at the Majestic Centre. The hearings will continue for four days in Wellington, with a further three days scheduled in New Plymouth.

The EPA have received 380 submissions opposing the marine consent, with most concerned about the risks to the marine environment and the need to rapidly move away from fossil fuels if we are to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

“As our friends in Taranaki have submitted, there is clear scientific evidence that fossil fuel mining is a sunset industry and needs to be phased out and replaced by clean renewable energy as soon as is practicable,” said spokesperson Michelle Ducat. “There is no justification in accepting a consent to prolong this natural gas field for another 35 years. This is just a plan to squeeze out as much profit as they can before they are finally made to stop trashing the atmosphere.”

Ms Ducat went on: “Instead of their current application Shell Todd Oil Services should be submitting a detailed plan for the decommissioning of the Māui A and B platforms, for clean energy alternatives, and for a just transition for those who currently work in the industry. With the ongoing divestment from fossil fuels by organisations such as the Dunedin city council, fossil fuel exploration is becoming a twilight industry.”

While climate change poses long term effects of ocean acidification and severe weather events, Oil Free Wellington is also concerned that there is not enough evidence about the current impacts of the Māui gas field operations. Spokesperson Michelle Ducat says the cumulative effects of the contaminants discharged and the impact on critically endangered Māui dolphin need to be examined.

“We hope the EPA can ensure the threat to Māui dolphins is fully assessed. With only 55 dolphins left, and mining and oil activities listed as a risk to their recovery, it is absurd for Shell Todd to claim their drilling will not have an effect.”

“It is time to really focus on what it means to maintain the “life-sustaining capacity of the environment” - one of the key purposes of the EEZ Act under which Shell Todd Oil Services are applying for marine consent. It’s time to say no to the risky business of fossil fuel mining.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media