Archive for February, 2009

Greenhouse Gas Calculations To Be Re-Done

Environment Minister Nick Smith is calling on officials to re-calculate NZ’s greenhouse gas emissions because they are growing more slowly as a result of the global economic recession. He says the Govt will not set short-term targets for reducing emissions until he has an accurate picture of what future emissions will be. The Govt’s goal […]

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Business NZ Report Takes Axe To Electricity Commission

The Electricity Commission is portrayed as a fish out of water in just about every area of its current remit, in a report prepared for Business NZ’s Large Companies Group by the economic consultancy, LECG. Among three authors of the report is former Treasury Secretary and ACT Parliamentary candidate Graham Scott, whose deeply critical assessment […]

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Brownlee Seeks Fast Track To Reform Electricity Market Governance

Pattrick Smellie, Associate Editor
• Electricity governance targeted.
• Struggle to control prices.
• Environmental outcomes less vital.

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee used his first major speech to the electricity industry, in Auckland this week, to outline his intention to use a newly published Business NZ report as the blueprint for a Ministerial working party on the way the […]

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Environment Ministry Faces Job Cuts

Jobs will be cut and programmes scrapped under a review which will shave more than a quarter off the Environment Ministry’s budget. Environment Minister Nick Smith says job losses will be inevitable if the Ministry is to keep within its 2009-10 budget of $56m set by Labour, down from $75m in the 2008-09 year. It […]

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Greenhouse Gas Calculations To Be Re-Done

Environment Minister Nick Smith is calling on officials to re-calculate NZ’s greenhouse gas emissions because they are growing more slowly as a result of the global economic recession. He says the Govt will not set short-term targets for reducing emissions until he has an accurate picture of what future emissions will be. The Govt’s goal […]

Read more ...

Brownlee Seeks Fast Track To Reform Electricity Market Governance

Pattrick Smellie – Associate Editor
• Electricity governance targeted.
• Struggle to control prices.
• Environmental outcomes less vital.
Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee used his first major speech to the electricity industry, in Auckland this week, to outline his intention to use a newly published Business NZ report as the blueprint for a Ministerial working party on the way […]

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Outdoor Air Quality Still Wanting - Especially Down South

NZ’s outdoor air quality is improving, but fewer than half (42 %) of the country’s monitored airsheds complied with national standards for airborne particulate matter in 2007. A new report from the Ministry for the Environment says “compliance with the national standard has increased from 31 % in 2005. However, 18 of the non-complying airsheds […]

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Wind Now Europe’s Fastest Growing Energy Source

New information shows more wind power was installed in the EU than any other electricity-generating technology in 2008. The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) says wind power provided 43% of new capacity - or almost 2GW - compared with 35% for gas, 13% for oil, 4% for coal and 2% for hydro power. The US […]

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Green Ribbon Nominations Open

Environment Minister Nick Smith is calling for nominations in the nine categories of the annual Green Ribbon Awards, celebrating environmental champion. Categories are: Community action for the environment - young people; Urban sustainability; Community action for the environment - volunteers and not-for-profit organisations; Sustainable land use; Businesses making a difference; Making a difference to household […]

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Wind Now Europe’s Fastest Growing Energy Source

New information shows more wind power was installed in the EU than any other electricity-generating technology in 2008. The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) says wind power provided 43% of new capacity - or almost 2GW - compared with 35% for gas, 13% for oil, 4% for coal and 2% for hydro power. The US […]

Read more ...