Two lignite plants is two too many

Two new lignite plants in New Zealand are two lignite plants too many, said Green Party Energy spokesperson, Dr Kennedy Graham today.

Dr Graham was commenting on yesterday’s announcement that Solid Energy is proceeding with two lignite-conversion plants in Southland next year. The state-owned enterprise would trial one plant to convert lignite and biomass to synthetic crude oil. The second would produce briquettes.

"Solid Energy’s announcement is further evidence that this country is on the wrong economic path under the John Key Government," said Dr. Graham.

"When New Zealand has so much potential to develop renewable energy to suit most of our energy needs, to stumble down the path of greater carbon emissions is sheer lunacy.

"The smart money is on renewables for a clean economy and a stable climate."

Dr Graham argued that state-owned enterprises should be operating within a national energy strategy that encourages the development of wind, solar, and tidal power, not coal.

"If a true price won carbon were in place today, Solid Energy could not economically justify building these plants," said Dr Graham.

"The people of Southland deserve a better future than being told their job security lies in choking their kids on coal dust and condemning them to a dangerously heated planet.

"I call on Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee to stop this economic and environmental gamble with taxpayer money before construction of the plants begin. Even now it is not too late," said Dr Graham.