Labour supports twenty-first century smart meters

Labour Associate Energy spokesperson Chris Hipkins supports the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment’s announcement in favour of smart metering on electricity in the twenty-first century.

“Gerry Brownlee is continuing to oppose smart meter technology, which would lead to fewer power plants, lower carbon emission rates and a more credible 100% pure image,” says Chris Hipkins.

“What’s more, the public ought to have more control over their power bills at home. Gerry Brownlee must get with the twenty-first century. That begins with specifying a standard for domestic smart metering of electricity.

“Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Jan Wright, has come out in support of smart meters. Wright said smart meters are as important in the twenty-first century as modern infrastructure such as roads and broadband.

“Gerry Brownlee has ignored previous recommendations from the commissioner by saying ‘the ripple control system on home water heating to manage peak load’ is good enough.

“But as the Labour Party has said before, that’s a bit like saying you don’t want an iPod because you still have a perfectly good collection of 78s.

“The Labour Party completely supports the commissioner. Smart meters represent the future of monitoring electricity. That’s because smart grids use digital technology to upgrade the current system, which allows for much closer control of our electricity supply.

“The National government is doing major damage New Zealand’s 100% pure brand. First, they opened our most precious conservation land to mining; then they allowed the Japanese to conduct whaling in nearby waters. Now the National government is neglecting our environmental obligations by overlooking twenty-first century technology on monitoring electricity.

“The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment is an expert in electricity technology. She has come out against the government, which is terribly embarrassing for them.

“The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment made the announcement at the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee today, to which she made a submission on the Electricity Industry Bill”, says Chris Hipkins.

ENDS

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