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2008: New Energy Technologies
INCENTIVISING NEW ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
New energy technologies will be required to help New Zealand make the transition to a low-carbon economy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
The Labour Government’s policy is flawed in a number of areas:
• There are significant uncertainties about the cost and effectiveness of biofuels. Compulsory blend requirements begin before sustainability standards have been determined.
• Our use of solar water heating is low compared to other countries. The number of new installations has declined due to excessive regulation.
• There is no support for electric vehicles. These are presently classified as diesels and subject to road-user charges.
National favours an approach to biofuels and new energy technologies that focuses on incentives rather than compulsion.
To give these technologies a kick-start, National will exempt electric vehicles from road-user charges.
We will also reinvigorate the solar water sector and encourage heat pump technologies for water heating where energy savings are comparable to solar.
OUR PRINCIPLES
• Resource use must be based on sustainability.
• Economic growth and improving the environment can and must go hand in hand.
• Good science is essential to quality environmental decision-making.
• People respond best to change when engaged and given incentives.
• New Zealanders have a unique birthright to access and to enjoy our special places.
NATIONAL’S PLAN
1. Biofuels
• Dump Labour’s Biofuels Bill.
• Apply a consistent tax incentive for sustainable biofuels, exempting ethanol and biodiesel from excise and road-user charges in proportion to the blend (i.e. a 10% blend will get a 10% exemption).
• Develop a process for approving sustainable biofuels to gain tax exemption, taking into account net greenhouse gas emission reductions, impactson biodiversity, and effects on food supply.
2. Solar and Heat Pump Hot Water Systems
• Provide a $1,000 grant for new and existing households to install solar water systems.
• Remove the price regulation model in the current scheme, leaving homeowners to determine best value for money.
• Require open reporting on the performance of systems and a warranty system from manufacturers to ensure quality.
• Extend the grant scheme to include heat pump hot water technologies where energy performance is as good as it is from solar power.
• Remove the requirement to obtain a building consent. Regulate quality by requiring systems to be fitted by accredited installers.
3. Electric Cars
Exempt electric cars from road-user charges.
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