Security of supply and competitive pricing are UnitedFuture’s key policy goals. We support the current regulatory structure. Line companies should have the ability and incentive to build new generation capacity. In the interests of security of supply, we support the maintenance of reserve electricity generation capacity. The best generation is that which is the most reliable and can be consistently delivered at the lowest cost within full compliance with New Zealand’s high environmental standards.
Electricity
It is UnitedFuture policy to:
- Develop a National Energy Strategy;
- Invest in significant NZ inventions of new sustainable energy forms to ensure the innovation is not lost to NZ and is implemented as soon as practicable;
- Invest in small-scale localised electricity generation projects, reducing reliance on the national transmission grid;
- Adopt a national strategy, including private sector funding, to insulate all NZ homes, prioritising the homes of those on low and fixed incomes;
- Support the construction of more sustainable generation capacity as the way to reduce domestic electricity prices;
- Continue to upgrade the national grid to ensure security of supply;
- Convert Transpower NZ Ltd to a public utility, rather than a profit-driven SOE, with the sole objective of transporting power through the National Grid at the lowest possible long-term cost to the consumer;
- Make it easier and cheaper for micro-generators to connect directly to local electricity networks (including a requirement for lines companies and electricity retailers to trade with micro-generators at 'fair' market rates);
- Encourage the development of NZ owned and operated alternative energy schemes;
- Resist new big-scale hydro-electricity schemes that require the damming of untouched ‘wild rivers’ as almost occurred with the Mokihinui (and continues to threaten other rivers such as the Waitaha).
Oil and Gas
UnitedFuture believes every effort should be made to encourage rapid exploration and development of New Zealand's potential oil and gas reserves (within current environmental standards).
It is UnitedFuture policy to:
- Oppose a standard royalty rate on new offshore oil discoveries being fixed in advance. We believe that the general policy should be a zero royalty rate with the government reserving the right to apply a royalty, on a case-by-case basis, for any medium to large oil field discovered;
- Ensure there are more stringent environmental protections for all offshore drilling. This should include building the capability of Maritime NZ, greater resourcing for inspections (health & safety and environmental) to ensure regulations are strictly adhered to and the appropriate strengthening of legislation;
- Continue to allow "fracking" and offshore oil exploration as long as the environmental risks associated with these activities can be managed effectively, by ensuring that operational best practices are implemented and enforced through regulation.