July 2019
Launch of "Powering to 2050: A Vision for Natural Gas in New Zealand"
This week PEPANZ will be launching our new publication "Powering to 2050: A Vision for Natural Gas in New Zealand."
It sets out our vision for how natural gas can play a thriving role in 2050 and support a sustainable, affordable and reliable energy system.
Please let us know if you are interested in attending the launch event in Wellington this Wednesday 31st July, or would like a copy of the publication.
Nominations open for 2019 Petroleum Conference Awards
The New Zealand Petroleum Conference Awards provide a unique opportunity for the industry to recognise and celebrate success stories. Nominations are now open in four categories:
Award for Exceptional Health, safety and Environmental Leadership
Award for Excellence in Community Partnership and Engagement
Award for Outstanding Innovation in Oil and Gas
Hall of Fame
There are no entry forms to fill in - just click the nomination button and send an email outlining the project or initiative in a few short paragraphs.
ICCC report confirms importance of natural gas
The importance of natural gas in keeping power prices down and reducing emissions has been confirmed by the Government’s Interim Climate Change Committee (ICCC) in their report on the challenges of reaching 100% renewable electricity.
They conclude that moving completely away from natural gas would be enormously costly to New Zealand households and for little environmental gain.
Instead, the ICCC recommends greater priority is giving to electrification of transport and heat processes.
PEPANZ agrees with the report and it’s pleasing to see the Government does too, saying they will be flexible and careful to avoid major price hikes.
Greenpeace protest criticised
PEPANZ has publicly criticised Greenpeace's building climb in Wellington last week, calling it "ignorant grandstanding."
“New Zealand needs new sources of natural gas to keep electricity prices down and help decarbonise the economy,” says PEPANZ CEO Cameron Madgwick.
“Greenpeace should be supporting exploration for natural gas given how it is helping replace coal and lower emissions all around the world.
“Disrupting the public and wasting police time with dangerous stunts doesn’t help anyone.”
Finalists announced for Deloitte Energy Excellence Awards
The finalists for the 2019 Deloitte Energy Excellence Awards have been announced today, including the PEPANZ-sponsored Community Initiative of the Year. They are:
- Beach Energy "It’s time to talk Taranaki" – a collaborative community wellbeing initiative
- Genesis Energy "School-gen programme" - delivering hands on tools, activities and resources
- Unison "Greatest supporter programme" - making sport accessible
- First Gas "Community collaboration" - Pariroa Pipeline Bypass Project
Veteran energy journalist (semi) retires
Taranaki energy journalist Neil Ritchie is now semi-retired after a 30 year career mostly covering the energy sector.
His interest in energy arose when he worked as a press secretary for then Energy Minister Bill Birch during the 1980s during the 'Think Big' era.
He then joined the Taranaki Daily News in New Plymouth, primarily as energy reporter, during the mid- 1980s. He later went fulltime freelance, writing for a wide range of publications as well as Port Taranaki and Venture Taranaki.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time covering several decades of developments in the broad energy sector -- be that oil and gas, hydro, electricity, geothermal, even wind. I still write the occasional quarrying and mining story for some New Zealand publications."
Profile: Rob Lieffering joins SLR team
Rob Lieffering has joined the SLR Consulting team in Nelson as a Principal Planner, bringing a wealth of knowledge in the resource management and petroleum sectors.
Rob has 25 years of experience and expert knowledge of the RMA and EEZ Acts. He has extensive experience in resource consent decision making, including many decisions made as an Independent Hearing Commissioner.
PO Box 25259, Wellington 6146
