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Energy
Ministry for the Environment (MfE)
The Ministry is actively involved in the energy sector. It is charged with several elements of the government’s Climate Change programme, including coordinating cross government policy development. The Ministry is also involved through the development of national instruments and guidance under the Resource Management Act (RMA) for example.
Policy advisers are working towards a National Policy Statement for renewable electricity generation and a National Environmental Standard for electricity transmission. The Ministry is also contributes via Ministerial Call-Ins under the RMA for nationally significant energy proposals.
The National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation 2011 sets out an objective and policies to enable the sustainable management of renewable electricity generation under the Resource Management Act 1991. It complements the New Zealand Energy Strategy and New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy.
The Government’s climate change programme focuses on building partnerships with business, community both international and local, Maori and local government groups as well as working closely with other government departments and Crown agencies in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Advisers are involved in producing New Zealand’s reporting on emissions and reductions to meet the Kyoto Protocol obligations. The Ministry also hosts the Emissions Trading Group. For more information visit the Climate Change website.
MfE does work with the Ministry of Economic Development and The Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority as required.
Ministry of Economic Development
The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) is now the lead department advising the government on energy supply and demand, energy efficiency, conservation and the use of renewable energy sources. MED also led a large group of agencies in delivering the New Zealand Energy Strategy.
MED works with the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority and also monitors its performance under the Public Finance Act.
In addition, MED is the primary advisor on the operation and regulation of specific markets and industries, including energy.
More information is available from the Ministry of Economic Development’s Energy website.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA)
EECA was established as a Crown entity under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000. Its purpose is to promote energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the use of renewable sources of energy in a sustainable manner. EECA’s functions are to assist and advise the Minister and any other functions conferred on it by other Statutes. EECA also develops and implements the New Zealand Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy.
For more information visit the EECA website.
Last updated: 12 April 2011
