Fitzsimons Jeanette: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Fitzsimons Jeanette: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:625;Page:20039] 
2.  
JEANETTE FITZSIMONS (Co-Leader—Green) 
 to the  
Minister of Energy 
: Does he expect that the Electricity Commission’s “thorough investigation of alternatives” to Transpower’s proposed 400kV transmission line between Whakamaru and Otahuhu will include the investigation of alternative fuels to reduce the need for electricity at peak hour in Auckland; if not why not? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Minister of Energy) 
: 
 Yes. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Can he confirm that 70 percent of the peak electricity demand in Auckland is from households and consists largely of power for cooking space heating and lighting on cold winter evenings; if so does he agree that any other fuel that could supply these needs in sufficient quantity would be a valid alternative to the 400kV line? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: Off the top of my head I cannot confirm the figures but I would tend to say that the experience of Christchurch is such that we would not want to shift to wood burners. 
Russell Fairbrother 
: What is the role of the Electricity Commission with regard to the proposed transmission upgrade? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: The commission is expected to assess Transpower’s proposal thoroughly in comparison with other alternatives. It is important to have security of supply but the commission will look at non-transmission options such as additional generation and improved energy efficiency as well as alternative transmission options. 
Hon Roger Sowry 
: Will the Government ensure that Transpower is able to purchase properties along the preferred route that Transpower intends announcing next month or will the Government expect property owners along the route to continue to live in uncertainty until the commission reports back—conveniently after the election? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: We certainly will not stop Transpower from buying properties on a willing seller - willing buyer basis. 
Peter Brown 
: Does the Minister accept that fundamentally we have a simple choice to make and that is basically that we can transport power to where it is needed or transport fuel to localised power stations; if he does accept that will he tell us which his preference is; if it is the latter—transporting fuel—which is his preferred fuel? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: No. 
Peter Brown 
: By answering “No” to that question is the Minister saying he thinks he can solve Auckland’s problems by introducing things like diesel generators to be on standby to run at peak times by having households switch to gas and by having energy-efficiency measures like low-energy lighting in every home? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: No. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Can the Minister confirm then that there will be a proper investigation of the extent to which peak electricity demand could be reduced by using gas as a direct fuel for household cooking heating and hot water rather than burning it inefficiently in power stations and then having to transmit the power north? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: Without necessarily having the negative bits at the end of the question yes. 
Rt Hon Winston Peters 
: How will any of the proposals presently before the Government be affected by the decision to float New Zealand’s largest energy network company Vector on the sharemarket within the next 6 months; and is this just another Labour sell-out? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: From memory that set-up was done when that member was in Government. But I want to make it clear that I do not think ownership is actually a factor in this. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Can the Minister confirm that the Green Party has been calling for just such an investigation of alternatives including energy efficiency direct use of gas cogeneration of heat and power and smarter peak-load management ever since the lines were first proposed? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: It has not been quite to the forefront of my mind but if the member gives me that assurance I of course accept it. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: What is the Minister doing right now to educate people in Auckland about the opportunities to use energy much more efficiently to keep their power bills down and avoid the construction of transmission lines? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I think at this particular time I am involved in a negative experience so far as climate change and the production of hot air go. 
Hon Dr Michael Cullen 
: Is it true that none of the parties now expressing in the House support for the transmission lines did so before the Government announced that the Electricity Commission was looking at the issue? 
Hon TREVOR MALLARD 
: I can confirm that—I think it was quite the opposite. But then flip-flop is the way the “Jandal Party” goes.