Smith Nick: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Smith Nick: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:608;Page:5469] 
9.  
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (NZ National—Nelson) 
 to the  
Minister for the Environment 
: What advice has she received on how the Resource Management Amendment Bill (No 2) will help New Zealand address the current energy crisis? 
Hon PETE HODGSON (Minister of Energy) 
 on behalf of the 
 Minister for the Environment 
: The Minister has received no specific advice. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: Given that on 11 April 2003 Meridian Energy specifically wrote to the Minister and pointed out concerns about clauses 7 11 18 32 41 54 61 63 67 75 76 and 80 of the bill and notably said that those changes will create additional obstacles to the granting of the necessary approvals for the construction or operation of the types of projects referred to above why has the Minister not listened to New Zealand’s largest generator of electricity—and very significantly a State company? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: The Minister for the Environment happens to know the views of Meridian Energy very well. Meridian Energy wishes to have planning rules that are easier than they are or will be as does anyone who wants to get on with big projects. The problem that Meridian Energy needs to face is that this Government will always go for a balance. The Resource Management Amendment Bill (No 2) reduces costs on the legislation as it is currently in the books. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: In the middle of an energy crisis why has the Government ignored the advice of Meridian Energy and instead chosen to invest $600 million of public money building generating stations in Australia rather than in New Zealand and why does he not listen to the sensible advice of Meridian Energy about the sorts of resource management laws we need? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: Speaking in defence of Meridian Energy I remind the House that Meridian Energy is about to invest over $1 billion in Project Aqua subject to consents and will make a further investment announcement tomorrow. 
David Parker 
: Is the Minister preparing any work to assist with future energy generation proposals? 
Gerry Brownlee 
: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. You cannot possibly rule that that question could be answered by the Minister for the Environment. I accept that it is a question that would ordinarily go to the Minister of Energy but the Minister is currently speaking as Minister for the Environment who has no responsibility for energy planning at all. 
Mr SPEAKER 
: If the member wishes to rephrase his question he can do so. 
David Parker 
: Is the Minister preparing any work in connection with proposed changes to the Resource Management Act that would assist with future energy generation proposals? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: As the Minister of Energy advised earlier in this question time amendments to the Resource Management Act will be introduced soon to smooth the path for renewable energy developments. 
Hon Ken Shirley 
: Does the Minister for the Environment accept any responsibility whatsoever for resolving the current energy crisis or does she adhere to the doctrine enunciated clearly by her Cabinet colleague Chris Carter that her sole responsibility is for the environment? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: Many aspects of government are working well together to reduce the social and economic risk that may face this country in the future if it does not rain and if we do not sufficiently save. 
Jeanette Fitzsimons 
: Is resource consent necessary to install solar water heating insulate buildings install more efficient lights size industrial motors correctly establish a secondary market in saved electricity use gas directly instead of in power stations or convert industrial boilers to wood waste; and does the Minister agree that more supply is only part of the answer to the power crisis? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: From memory apart from the possibility of a consent needed to switch from some other fuel to wood waste the answer to all of those questions is absolutely no. 
Larry Baldock 
: How significant is the Resource Management Act as a cause of the electricity crisis given that the resource consents have already been approved for at least two separate gas-fired electricity generation plants and that their construction has been delayed by the need to secure new post - Maui Gas supply contracts? 
Hon PETE HODGSON 
: That is precisely the point. I thank the member for his question. Since 2000 1300 megawatts of new electricity generation have been consented in the last 3 years. That is enough new generation for 8 years. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: I seek the leave of the House to table both the submission of Meridian Energy on the problems with the Resource Management Act for the energy sector and also of the Petroleum Association of New Zealand.