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Electric Trains saved after all
EDS has welcomed the announcement by State-owned Enterprises Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters, Hon Phil Twyford and Hon James Shaw that Government intends to reverse the earlier decision by Kiwirail to abandon electric trains on the North Island Main Trunk Line in favour of diesel locomotives.
“The Kiwirail decision to replace electric with diesel was an anomaly given the Government’s commitment to emission reductions,” said EDS CEO Gary Taylor.
“This announcement will be especially welcomed by the trade union movement, given the train refurbishment will be happening locally.
“It also means that the electrified network will be retained and no longer be at risk of being removed altogether.
“Along with other key stakeholders, including unions and Wellington Regional Councillor Roger Blakely, we lobbied Ministers to intervene and now they have. The announcement today represents a victory for common-sense and shows the Government really is committed to its climate change policies and is prepared to intervene when others threaten to go off the tracks.
“We understand that the new diesel trains that were bought by Kiwirail before the change of government will be deployed elsewhere to replace old and inefficient diesel locomotives.
“The decision also shows very clearly that Government is totally joined-up in its approach to climate change with 3 Ministers covering state-owned enterprises, transport and climate change, making this announcement. This is very encouraging and bodes well for our transition to a low carbon economy,” Mr Taylor concluded.
ends
Environmental Defence Society
EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.
Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand
through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non-
profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.
EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It
operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together
the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.
EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental
Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.
EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.
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