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Cabinet Minute CBC Min (07) 18/16: Providing National guidance on Renewable Energy Projects through the Resource Management Act 1991

On 27 August 2007, the Cabinet Business Committee:

Background

  1. noted that in the future, more electricity will need to be generated from renewable energy sources, because of New Zealand’s international obligations with respect to climate change;
  2. noted that in November 2004 the Cabinet Economic Development Committee invited the Ministers for the Environment and Economic Development to report on the findings of a reference group, which was set up to look into the merits of a National Policy Statement for electricity generation [EDC Min (04) 24/5];

National Policy Statement on renewable energy

  1. noted that consultation on the findings of the Reference Group did not occur, but that consultation on the draft New Zealand Energy Strategy provided some support for a National Policy Statement on renewable energy;
  2. noted that a decision on providing national guidance under the Resource Management Act 1991 (the RMA) for renewable energy projects is required to finalise the New Zealand Energy Strategy;
  3. noted that the Acting Minister for the Environment considers that it is desirable to issue a National Policy Statement on renewable energy;
  4. noted that the Acting Minister for the Environment will consult with iwi authorities and other appropriate persons and organisations before preparing the proposed National Policy Statement;
  5. invited the Acting Minister for the Environment, in consultation with the Minister of Energy, to commence the process for preparing a proposed National Policy Statement on renewable energy and a report under section 32 of the RMA (cost-benefit evaluation), and to report on the progress of a draft National Policy Statement to the Cabinet Policy Committee by 5 December 2007;
  6. noted that the Acting Minister for the Environment intends to proceed with a Board of Inquiry process to produce a National Policy Statement on renewable energy;

Call-in powers under the Resource Management Act

  1. noted that applicants for renewable energy projects are expressing a growing interest in the Minister for the Environment’s call-in power under the RMA, and some seem to be unclear on the circumstances in which an application would be called in;
  2. noted that the Ministry for the Environment will provide further guidance on the call in powers under the RMA, setting out the need for early engagement;
  3. noted that there was little interest from submitters on the draft New Zealand Energy Strategy in a consolidated consenting process, which would enable a pool of projects to be called-in and considered by the same decision making panel;

Publicity

  1. noted that the Minister of Energy and the Acting Minister for the Environment intends to announce these decisions publicly.

Andrew Doube
Secretary

Reference: CBC (07) 177

Last updated: 20 March 2008