ACT speeds up consents to keep the lights on and costs down

ACT MP and Energy spokesperson Simon Court is welcoming the passage of the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill into law.

“ACT campaigned to end the ban on oil and gas exploration and to use New Zealand’s Crown minerals – including oil, gas, and coal – to keep our lights on and our economy moving,” Court said. “We also identified that the RMA made it virtually impossible to consent thermal electricity generation, even when it was critical for energy security.

“From today, gas and coal-fired power stations have the same one-year priority consenting pathway as wind and solar projects. That means generators renewing or seeking new consents for thermal plants won’t be bogged down in years of red tape. The race to net zero has made one thing clear – without reliable thermal backup, there’s a limit to how much renewable energy the grid can handle. When the wind doesn’t blow and the sun doesn’t shine, New Zealanders still expect to heat their homes, run factories, and keep the lights on. ACT is making sure they can.

“Experience here and in Australia shows that as more wind and solar comes online, the need for reliable backup grows, too. These reforms make it faster to consent that firming generation so homes and businesses can count on a secure power supply.”

ACT is also welcoming the requirement for specified energy or wood processing consents to be decided within a year, with extensions allowed, but never exceeding two years in total.

"We’re cutting years off the consenting process and removing uncertainty for major energy projects. That’s good news for the construction sector and especially ordinary New Zealanders who pay the compliance costs," says Mr Court.

“By speeding up projects and cutting red tape, ACT is helping to keep power prices and building costs under control.”