Solid Energy has plans to start mining lignite in Southland, turning low-grade coal into diesel, urea, electricity, and briquettes. If the projects go ahead, our carbon emissions will go through the roof.
We cannot develop a sustainable economy by subsidising activities that intensify climate change and dig up our environment in the process.
The Government should be looking for clean green energy solutions. We need to amend the ETS so that there's a price on all new activities that increase carbon emissions and support for sustainable alternatives.
Kennedy Graham, Green MP
6 comments:
Robert without letting out state secrets ....In your opinion is there a good chance that the present ES councilors will simply rubber stamp any consent application by Soild energy ...
I must admit with the vote re ES chairperson and deputy I am of the suspicous opinion that it wont matter what submissions are forwarded against the proposal of SE ...the majority will rubber stamp the consent.
Pauline - there will be no rubber stamping - the process is rigorous and the councillors are alert! You'd be very surprised where the balance lies in council now - surprised and pleased. The difficulty in this case is around the application for consent not being presented at all. SE may not need to extract or discharge water and may only need a 'discharge to air', the first proposal being 'small' and part of an existing site. Who knows. Not me. Yet. Submit like crazy :-)
It would seem that Invercargill, Gore and Environment Southland, plus Bill English and Eric Roy's - they all have a responsibility to reduce emissions in the Southland region, as other regions also have their responsibilities.
It would be interesting to see what Tim Shadbolt etcs climate strategy is, as well as other Mayors. Auckland and Wellington are setting up climate strategies and emission targets.
Agreed Anonymous.
I'll be watching closely for any statements from Shadbolt re the Mayoral meeting and their resolutions. He's not going to find it easy to walk that line down here, given the pressures but perhaps it'll be his chance to show some real spine.
Robert have consents already been applied for by SE ..sorry don't remember seeing in paper that submissions are called for .......
By the way my practical research this year is Changing coal to wood chips for commercial water heating is it a practical reality.
Pauline - not that I'm aware of.
You research sounds right down the alley I'm peering into also. I'd like to hear what you discover.
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