Submissions
The NZGA has made submissions to local and central government on policy relating to geothermal development and energy use in New Zealand.
Recent Submissions
Submission on the United States Blue Ribbon Panel Geothermal Report
This was an invited submission on a report on recommended US direction in geothermal research and funding. It was recommended that attention be given to policy aspects around permitting, and market failure aspects around direct use, possibly including a low temperature programme. It supported some funding of drilling and exploration programmes while recognising that it was developers responsibility to bring projects to a decision point. The international workload was pointed out as a means of sustaining any geothermal company. Alignment with IPGT research on EGS was encouraged. We encouraged the expansion of the pool of competent personnel to achieve growth.
Further Submission on Proposed Waikato Regional Policy Statement (November 2010)
This was a structured further submission on the proposed RPS, expressing support or opposition to various other submissions in the areas we had already submitted on. This covers the permitting environment for most of New Zealand's high temperature fields.
Submission on the International Partnership on Geothermal Technology Exploration paper
This was an invited submission on an IPGT white paper on exploration. This paper was supportive of efforts to develop robust exploration models. Encouragement was given for a common code for geothermal reserves and resources estimation.
Further Submission on Proposed Bay of Plenty Regional Policy Statement
This is a structured further submission on the proposed RPS, expressing support or opposition to various other submissions in the areas we have already submitted on. This covers the permitting environment for the balance of New Zealand's known high temperature fields (with the exception of Ngawha).
Submission on the Proposed National Policy Statement on Indigenous Biodiversity
This noted that geothermal systems are associated with rare habitats and species, and that protection efforts are underway through complete field protection (in some cases) or targeted reinjection (in some cases). It supported an ongoing flexible approach to ‘like-for-like’ mitigation. It was noted that some wording was particularly restrictive, and if mishandled could have major unintended consequences for geothermal development in general, for the economy, and for Maori developers who are active parties in most geothermal developments.
All Submissions
NZGA submissions are listed in descending date order in the following table and may all be downloaded.
| Date | Submission On | Topic | Type | Size |
Aug 2011 |
US Blue Ribbon Panel Geothermal Report |
A solicited paper giving an NZ perspective on proposed US geothermal funding. |
131KB |
|
Jul 2011 |
Proposed Waikato RPS |
A structured further submission reinforcing earlier points |
148KB |
|
Jul 2011 |
IPGT Exploration Paper |
A solicited support paper |
111KB |
|
May 2011 |
Proposed Bay of Plenty RPS |
A structured further submission reinforcing earlier points |
215KB |
|
May 2011 |
Proposed NPS on Indigenous Biodiversity |
A paper calling for caution because of unintended effects |
172KB |
|
Mar 2011 |
IPGT High Temperature Downhole Tools paper |
A solicited supportive paper with some practical advice |
129KB |
|
Feb 2011 |
Environment Waikato Draft Regional Policy Statement |
A broadly supportive paper |
120KB |
|
Feb 2011 |
Bay of Plenty Draft Regional Policy Statement |
This referred back to the earlier paper and sought alignment with EW Operative RPS |
81KB |
|
Sept 2010 |
NZ Energy Strategy / Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy |
A generally supportive submission but noting the lack of substance |
151KB |
|
Aug 2010 |
Climate Change Regulations Amendment |
Supportive submission but advocating greater rigour in wording and justification |
128KB |
|
July 2010 |
International Partnership on Geothermal Technology |
Unsolicited letter supporting NZ joining this leading-edge geothermal research partnership |
19.5KB |
|
Apr 2010 |
MED Geothermal Barriers Paper |
A dialogue with MED on geothermal barriers |
192KB |
|
Mar 2010 |
Environment Bay of Plenty Regional Policy Statement |
This submission emphasised the key role of geothermal energy as an energy source to be encouraged |
316KB |
|
Oct 2009 |
Climate Change Response (Moderated Emissions Trading) Amendment Bill 2009 |
NZGA was concerned about dilution of price signals under the amended ETS |
132KB |
|
Sept 2009 |
Draft Climate Change Regulations 2009 details |
This submissions addressed specific issues related to thresholds to avoid capture of non-industrial direct use, and to default emissions factors. |
149KB |
|
Jul 2009 |
Draft Climate Change (Stationary Energy and Industrial Processes and Unique Emissions Factor) Regulations 2009 |
NZGA comments on specific provisions mainly focused on the need for thresholds (and impacts without these) and unreasonableness of general default emissions factors and of the associated price signals being sent. |
214KB |
|
Dec 2008 |
Draft Climate Change (Stationary Energy and Industrial Processes) Regulations 2008 |
NZGA comments on specific provisions mainly related to geothermal measurement aspects. |
69.3KB |
|
Oct 2008 |
NPS on Renewable Electricity Generation |
Comments on the Government's draft National Policy Statement related to renewable electricity |
95.8KB |
|
Mar 2007 |
NZES, TM and NZEECS |
Combined submission
on government energy and climate change policy
frameworks |
106KB |
|
Dec 2006 |
PCE Questionnaire |
Response to a PCE
questionnaire on renewable energy and energy
efficiency |
60KB |
|
Mar 2006 |
Transmission National Policy Statement |
Comments on the
proposed National Policy Statement and National
Environmental Standards related to transmission |
117KB |
|
Feb 2006 |
Geothermal Well Taxation |
NZGA submission on treatment of geothermal wells for taxation purposes |
110KB |
|
Feb 2006 |
NZGA Position Statement |
A key document outlining broad NZGA views on geothermal development in New Zealand |
222KB |
|
Feb 2004 |
Waikato Regional Plan |
Statement of Evidence for the proposed Waikato Regional Plan and Regional Policy Statement |
90KB |
|
May 2003 |
Waikato Regional Plan |
Comments on the geothermal sections of the proposed Waikato Regional Plan and Regional Policy Statement |
61KB |
|
May 2003 |
EECA Renewable Energy Program |
NZGA submission to EECA proposing key target market activities to increase the uptake of renewable energy produced by the Geothermal sector |
133KB |
|
| May 2003 |
Commerce Committee Inquiry into the Electricity Industry |
Submission on the Commerce Committee Inquiry |
39KB |
|
Sept 2002 |
Bay of Plenty Regional Land and Water Plan |
Further Submission on Bay of Plenty Regional Land and Water Plan |
15KB |
|
Jun 2002 |
Draft National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy |
NZGA Further Submission on the Government Draft National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy |
17KB |
|
May 2002 |
Bay of Plenty Regional Land and Water Plan |
Submission on Bay of Plenty Regional Land and Water Plan |
14KB |
|
| Dec 2001 |
Draft National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy |
NZGA Further Submission on the Government Draft National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy |
15KB |
|
Dec 2001 |
Draft National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy |
Initial submission on Draft National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy |
11KB |
|
Dec 2001 |
MfE: Climate Change |
Submission on Climate Change to the Ministry for the Environment |
15KB |
|
Nov 2001 |
Post Winter Electricity Review |
Submission on Post Winter Electricity Review |
32KB |
|
May 2001 |
Draft National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy |
NZGA Submission on Draft National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy |
22KB |
|
Jun 2000 |
MfE: Environmental Performance Indicators |
Ministry for the Environment Environmental Performance Indicators. Proposal for Indicators of the Environmental Effects of Energy |
18KB |
|