{news} Fw: USGP-INT: NZ Greens release Energy Policy calling for Peak Oil awareness

[Justine McCabe]

FYI,
Justine
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(forwarded by: Leenie Halbert Green Party of Louisiana)

05.25.05

NZ Green Party releases comprehensive Energy Policy calling for Peak Oil 
Awareness

To read the comprehensive Policy, click here:

http://greens.org.nz/searchdocs/PR8708.html


A summary of the Greens Party’s 2005 Energy Policy

Key initiatives at a glance

* Half a million solar water heating panels
* Sustainable Energy Commission
* Alternatives to pylons
* One-stop energy advisory shop for households
* No new coal
* Pay for what you use – no fixed charges

Critical Energy Issues facing New Zealand
* Peak oil
* Climate change
* Maui depletion
* Growing demand
* Fuel poverty
* Short-term thinking

Our Vision

1. Energy services reliably and affordably provided from renewable energy.
2. Smarter use of energy, with less waste and less adverse effects
3. All New Zealanders play a part in shaping our energy future


Getting there – The Greens’ proposals to address the six key issues above

Peak Oil – facing up to the end of cheap oil

1. Acknowledge the issue, inform the public and plan the transition
2. Act now to prepare for the future: fuel efficiency standards for 
vehicles, develop biofuels, invest in public transport, cooperate 
internationally


Climate change - facing up to the risk of global catastrophe

* Make it clear there will be no new use of coal for energy, cap CO2 
emissions from electricity generation, and introduce a carbon charge
* Plan a transition to renewables, continuing the use of carbon credits for 
renewables and create a minimum ‘green energy’ contribution for electricity 
sales
* Significantly improve energy efficiency (see below)


Maui depletion – facing up to the end of cheap gas for electricity 
generation

1. Increase use of gas directly for heating and cooking rather than 
electricity
2. Install half-a-million solar water heating panels over five years and 
expand training in solar building design
3. Plan better for wind energy and encourage the use of waste wood as a fuel
4. Accelerate R&D into wave, current and tidal energy


Growing demand – facing up to the need to use energy smarter

1. Strengthen the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority and 
accelerate the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy
2. Encourage SOEs to develop business strategies based around energy 
efficiency and stable energy demand
3. Increase energy efficiency standards for buildings, upgrade the building 
code to encourage solar design in new buildings, and require home energy 
labelling at time of sale
4. Expand support for home energy efficiency retrofits
5. Increase energy efficiency standards for appliances and products
6. Initiate a Government leadership programme for energy efficiency in 
public buildings and vehicles
7. Require Land Transport New Zealand to ensure its decisions support the 
transition to a sustainable energy future


Fuel poverty – facing up to the fact that everyone needs a warm home

1. Remove fixed charges for household power
2. Insulate and damp-proof more homes and create a local home advisory 
service with a focus on energy efficiency
3. Install solar water heating on low-income homes
4. Investigate ‘progressive pricing’

Planning and coordination – facing up to the need to think beyond tomorrow

* Electricity Commission becomes Sustainable Energy Commission with a 
mandate to look at all fuels, and ensure consumers and small producers have 
input to decisions.
* Require new large capital projects to be tested against sustainable 
alternatives
* Independent review of Transpower’s expansion plans and ensure Transpower 
focuses on alternatives to expanding transmission lines
* New electricity market rules:
* Facilitate distributed generation
* Facilitate demand side participation in market
* Net metering or billing
* Dry winter conservation plan




Tell   US   Congress   to   wake   up!   Sign   the   Peak  Oil
Awareness--Solutions  for a Post Carbon Economy Petition go to:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/EndofOil/petition.html