ADVANCE New Zealand
A new political design for our economic future

MEDIA RELEASE

Date: 9/08/2005 9:31:36 AM

Advance New Zealand calls for urgent investment in energy alternatives.

It is disgraceful that respective N Z governments over the past 30 years have failed to initiate the development of an alternative energy infrastructure. People now face considerable uncertainty about the future of energy supplies in regard to its cost and security of supply. That situation is also impacting on the wider economy as the rising cost of electricity and oil based products impacts on virtually every product we produce, distribute and consume.

The price of energy is today based on the vagaries of the global market which is influenced by those whose sole focus is on speculating what might or might not happen to affect supply and demand months or even years down the track. Obviously the current spiking of oil prices results from such speculation and while the share holders of the multinationals are banking the windfall profits, it is the consumer who is carrying the cost of enabling them to enjoy riding what is effectively a virtual economic rollercoaster.

There are a wide range of measures that can be used to reduce the dependence of our nation on imported energy. The reduction of consumption and a program of developing alternative fuels and technologies leading to self sufficiency are obvious and achievable steps that need to be taken.
Our Government carries a duty of care to those who they purport to represent and enabling speculators to profit on the back of a purely speculative situation constitutes a dereliction of that duty.

The next government needs to make available an interest free funding stream dedicated to researching and developing energy alternatives that are focused on the infrastructural needs of our economy and the people who are dependent on its performance, rather than actively contributing to the gross profiteering stemming from the current situation.

ENDS

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