Refinery closure another blow to regional jobs
The decision by Refining NZ to close the Marsden Point refinery is understandable but disappointing, says 天美直播
鈥淭his continues a worrying trend of de-industrialisation and job losses in the regions,鈥� says chief executive John Carnegie.
鈥淩ecent examples include the closure of the Norkse Skog papermill in Kawerau, Methanex mothballing their Waitara Valley plant and New Zealand Steel reducing production.
鈥淲hile there are many domestic and global factors at play, the high cost of energy has been an element in all of these decisions.
鈥淲e are worried things will only get worse as our appetite for energy grows but economic and reliable renewable alternatives are not yet available.
鈥淲e all want to see a smooth transition to lower emissions, while protecting local jobs and keeping energy affordable and reliable.
鈥淭o help achieve this we鈥檇 like to see an Energy Accord between the Government and industry. This could encourage the investment needed to close our emerging energy gap.鈥�