Oil and gas legislation creates major uncertainty
Workers and communities have once again been ignored with the Government rushing through a law change tonight ending new offshore oil and gas exploration permits, says the Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand (PEPANZ).
鈥淭he people most affected by this decision haven鈥檛 been listened to and now face real uncertainty,鈥� says PEPANZ CEO Cameron Madgwick.
鈥淭he Government鈥檚 own advisors say this decision will cost the Crown billions of dollars and will more than likely increase emissions, but it鈥檚 the human cost that is most striking.
鈥淭housands of New Zealanders work in the industry and nearly 400,000 天美直播s and businesses rely on natural gas and LPG which now has a very uncertain future.
鈥淓xperts warned this move will increase the cost of electricity to New Zealanders but this has been ignored. This is not good news for households struggling with the rising cost of living.
鈥淲e need natural gas as a transition fuel towards a lower carbon economy. Turning off the tap when we have nothing concrete to replace it with is dangerous and irresponsible.
鈥淭housands of people have raised their concerns through our 鈥楨nergy Voices鈥� campaign and we will now be talking to them about the way forward from here.鈥�