Greens say sustainable energy report lacks urgency

The Green Party has welcomed the intent and content of the Government's Sustainable Energy discussion paper, but says it still lacks a sense of urgency.

Energy Minister Pete Hodgson today released a discussion document leading to a six-month consultation process.

"The Greens welcome 'Sustainable Energy' because it is by far the best analysis of the energy issues and challenges facing New Zealand that any Government has ever produced," said Jeanette Fitzsimons, the Green Party's co-leader and energy spokesperson.

"But it does not convey the sense of urgency that is needed if New Zealand is to make a relatively smooth transition to a sustainable energy future.

"A key example is Peak Oil. Both the Minister's introduction and the 'Energy Tomorrow' section acknowledge that global oil production is going to peak in the foreseeable future and that the cheap supply of oil will cease at that point.

"Yet it still appears to accept oil price forecasts that many experts think are way too optimistic. Treasury is still saying prices will soon fall to $19 a barrel; the Ministry of Economic Development is saying they may have to revise their forecast up to $30. But the world oil price is currently $54 - what if it never falls again?

Ms Fitzsimons said forecasts that Peak Oil would happen as soon as 2010 may be "extreme" but there was growing support for this view among geological and market experts, with some even bringing it forward to 2006.

"So this document should be asking 'what if?' What if oil peaks in the next decade? What if the next international climate change round imposes much tougher limits on carbon emissions? What if we don't find enough natural gas to replace the depleted Maui fields?"

She said there were no such scenarios in the discussion paper for people to react to and discuss.