11. CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National—West Coast - Tasman) Link to this
to the Minister of Energy and Resources
Has he received any reports about bio-diesel production in New Zealand?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister of Energy and Resources) Link to this
Yes, I have. I am advised that last month Mobil Oil New Zealand Ltd started to retail a B5 bio-diesel blend at the pump in the Bay of Plenty on a trial basis. The bio-diesel and the B5 blend is produced from tallow that is sourced from the meat-processing industry in New Zealand. The trial provides another chance for the fuel to be part of the choice available to motorists in a world where we are trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
Yes, I have. I am advised that the Environmental Risk Management Authority has approved an application from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority to allow E85, which is an 85 percent ethanol blend, for use in New Zealand cars. The approval paves the way for flexi-fuel cars—which cost little more than an ordinary petrol vehicle—to be more widely used in New Zealand. The approval will eventually allow oil companies to offer at the pump other options for flexi-fuel vehicle owners, thereby further reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
Yes, I have. When the Government moved to repeal the biofuels sales obligation last year, Pete Hodgson said that it would do enormous economic damage to a burgeoning industry and that it would be the end of a biofuels industry in New Zealand. I am very pleased to announce to members today that the Opposition has been proved wrong—the biofuels industry is growing and thriving in New Zealand today.
Charles ChauvelWhat advice, if any, has the Minister had on how much more biofuels development there would be had his Government not vandalised the biofuels obligation?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
The member asking that question seems to be completely without any understanding of the point of having biofuels in New Zealand. The previous Labour Government could not guarantee that biofuels sold under its obligation were produced sustainably. I believe that some 40 million litres—or approaching 40 million litres—of biofuel will be produced in New Zealand this year; that is far more than was projected while the member’s Government was in office.