11. Question No. 11—EnvironmentMAUREEN PUGH (National) to the Minister for the EnvironmentQuestion No. 11—Environment11. MAUREEN PUGH (National) to the Minister for the Environment: Why has he declined Westpower's application to construct a run-of-river hydro scheme on the Waitaha River and is he aware that the Department of Conservation supported it?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS (Minister of Energy and Resources) on behalf of the Minister for the Environment: On behalf of Minister the decision was made in accordance with section 17U(3) and section 17W(1) of the Conservation Act. The Minister carefully considered all relevant material including submissions and reports before making the decision. The Minister notes for the benefit of the member that the Department of Conservation did not back the proposal nor did they have the legal authority to decide whether the concession should be approved or declined. In fact as the record shows the hearing commissioner who heard submissions on behalf of the Director-General of Conservation recommended that the application be declined. In declining the application the Minister said The area has near pristine levels of natural character and has a general lack of human modification and I believe the presence of the weir and intake structure above or within Morgan Gorge would significantly change the recreational experience of those who use the area and diminish the intrinsic value of the area."Maureen Pugh: What does he say to West Coast residents who pay some of the highest electricity prices in the country that this opportunity to produce clean renewable cheaper energy has gone and they will need to continue using coal and gas?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: On behalf of the Minister I would tell the residents of the West Coast that they shouldn't listen to such ridiculous scaremongering that this is a Government that is committed to a 100 percent renewable strategy and I would remind that member we're talking about a 20 megawatt run-of-river dam. There is currently 3 gigawatts of consented but unbuilt renewable generation in this country.Maureen Pugh: Has he had any discussion with the Minister of Energy—SPEAKER: Order! Order! I think the member might like to start rephrasing that question.Maureen Pugh: Has the Minister had any discussion with the Minister of Energy and Resources on the ability for New Zealand to double electricity generation over the next 30 years as forecast by Transpower if all of this increased generation is required to have less conservation impact than the Waitaha River proposal?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: On behalf of the Minister I can categorically assure that member that in regard to this decision I did not have any discussions with the Minister of Energy and Resources. I have however had many discussions more broadly around the ambitious and necessary work that this Government is undertaking in terms of 100 percent renewable energy. I will note for the member's benefit that I did have a conversation today with the Minister of Energy and Resources in preparing for this question. Hon Grant Robertson: Was it worthwhile?Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: It's always a worthwhile conversation but it was not in her capacity as the Minister of Energy and Resources.Maureen Pugh: How can New Zealand transition to 100 percent renewable electricity if proposals—that in the words of Westpower chair Mike Newcombe "We put up a proposal that ticks all the boxes: renewable sustainable energy long-term regional economic development boost careful environmental stewardship"—are declined?SPEAKER: Order! Too long.Hon Dr MEGAN WOODS: On behalf of the Minister yes we do want more renewables and that is why this Government has a commitment to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035. The National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation that was brought in by the last Labour Government but promulgated by National in 2011 does not mean that every application needs to be accepted. I would also note for that member's benefit that actually the economic benefits that the member is talking about are explicitly excluded from the things that the Minister could take into account when making this statutory decision."