LNG terminal New Zealand slammed as ‘worst of both worlds’

Plans for a new LNG import terminal have ignited fierce debate, with critics warning the project could lock New Zealand into higher emissions and rising energy costs while benefiting major industrial users.

LNG plan ‘worst of both worlds’, environment watchdog warns

Watchdog warns LNG plan risks higher costs and emissions

The Government’s planned $1 billion gas import terminal could raise energy prices and carbon emissions, Parliament’s environment watchdog has warned in a letter to the energy minister.

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The liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, which Energy Minister Simon Watts has said would be paid for through a levy on electricity, is an attempt to provide a new source of gas to the power sector in dry years, as domestic reserves dwindle. But Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton said the gas could be used more widely and drive up prices for consumers.

“Your recent announcement that electricity consumers will have to foot the bill for an LNG importation facility raises the possibility that not only will we lock ourselves into a higher emissions pathway but will do so in a way that exposes us to higher energy costs – the worst of
both worlds,” he wrote.

Newsroom

A billion-dollar gamble framed as energy security

We are in such crazy territory now.

A massive $1 billion corporate welfare deal for the Gas industry to produce more climate changing emissions has been framed as a ‘solution’???

Just so we are clear, we will pay for an expensive Gas Plant to aid the four big power providers to avoid real investment into sustainable energy by taxing us while increasing emissions that will continue to dangerously warm the planet while extreme weather events hit us???

That’s the solution???

Just so we are clear:

Greenpeace labels LNG plan ‘dirty, dumb and expensive’

Just so we are clear:

LNG terminal decision is dirty, dumb and expensive – Greenpeace

Greenpeace is slamming the Luxon government’s announcement it will build a liquid natural gas (LNG) import terminal, calling it a dirty, dumb and expensive decision that will leave New Zealanders subsidising more climate pollution through higher electricity bills.

The decision comes despite the expected high cost and high emission intensity of imported LNG. Building the LNG terminal is expected to cost $1 billion, while the cost of imported LNG is expected to be around twice as much per gigajoule as gas from existing onshore reserves.

Officials warn economic damage is already locked in

Just so we are clear:

Most economic damage from gas crisis ‘locked in’, officials warn

Big industrials are slated to close or switch off gas whether the proposed LNG terminal goes ahead or not, new modelling has found

Newsroom

Economic concerns over LNG terminal viability

Just so we are clear;

Luxon has done a poor job of selling $1 billion LNG terminal and India trade deal – Matthew Hooton

Global industry analysts wonder whether New Zealand is being scammed by offshore gas producers, who seem to have successfully convinced Watts, Luxon and MBIE bureaucrats to build an over-specced plant that is really about them securing a 365-days-a-year market in New Zealand.

If Methanex closes, there may be a surplus of gas in New Zealand anyway. Perhaps the new plant is really about subsidising Methanex and protecting the profits of the majority-Government-owned gentailers?

NZ Herald

Corporate welfare dressed up as energy policy

Hooton nails it like he always does. This is a giant corporate welfare deal for the Gas industry that seems to have conned the Minister and the Prime Minister!

Households don’t use LNG!

Industry uses LNG!

Specifically Fonterra in winter to dry out milk powder.

That takes huge amounts of power from the grid which is why there’s a general energy shortage in August!

This is just naked corporate welfare that we are all paying for!

This makes no economic sense, no long term planning, while costing us directly while energy prices continue to rise and create more climate change emissions as we get slammed by extreme weather created by that global warming!

It’s like if you took all the wrong moves and put it into one giant deal.

The fact Watts and Luxon are lying directly to our faces over it being a tax or levy is an embarrassment.

The fact Watts and Luxon are claiming it will only cost $1 billion is an embarrassment.

The fact this will all be an expensive cost that will only make things worse is an embarrassment.

You Right Wing Hate Trolls are the first to scream ‘trougher’ for any public spending yet are silent like frightened mice over this fiasco!

Don’t dare lecture the Left about economy mis-management again!

The question isn’t whether New Zealand needs energy security. The question is whether we secure it by doubling down on fossil fuels, higher emissions and corporate subsidies — or by investing properly in renewables, resilience and a climate-safe future.

The LNG terminal New Zealand debate ultimately comes down to a defining choice: whether to double down on fossil fuel dependency and rising costs, or to invest in a resilient, renewable energy system that protects both households and the climate.