The Oil Drum: Australia/New Zealand | The Bullroarer

The Bullroarer - Tuesday 19th February 2008

Posted by Phil Hart on February 19, 2008 - 1:17am in The Oil Drum: Australia/New Zealand
Topic: Miscellaneous

Here we go again - Predictions of NZ Power Shortages

It is almost as predictable as changing seasons that at about this time of year there will be warnings of coming power shortages, the Nelson Mail said in an editorial on Tuesday. In wetter years they are more muted, in dry years like this one, they are louder.

Chevron gets going after Oz cyclone

Chevron has resumed full operations at Barrow and Thevenard Islands today as Tropical Cyclone Nicholas passed to the west of Barrow Island yesterday, but over 200,000 barrels per day of output from other producers remained shut in.

Report reveals climate shame

Ku-ring-gai residents are among the worst culprits in greenhouse gas emissions, according to a council report which seeks to slow the march of global warming.

Last week the Courier revealed Ku-ring-gai Council had increased its greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent of 1996 levels, despite its 2002 commitment to reduce emissions by 20 per cent of 1996 levels. A council spokesperson said their emissions had risen twenty per cent since 1996 but only one per cent since 2002.

2005 plan to fix Cook Strait cable warned of risk

National Party Energy spokesman Gerry Brownlee says Labour was warned in 2005 that there was an 'unacceptable' risk posed to the security of New Zealand's electricity supply due to the condition of the Cook Strait cable.

"In 2005, Labour's Electricity Commission was considering a significant plan to repair the Cook Strait cable by 2010. In the conclusion the documents say the medium term 'risk profile is unacceptable'. "Yet, last week David Parker said the partial shutdown of the cable was a 'surprise' and Helen Clark said yesterday 'eyebrows have certainly been raised'.

Oil Search profits plummet

Australian-listed Oil Search reported its first decline in profits in five years due to higher exploration costs and tax rates that resulted in 32% fall last year.

Mayors call for Transit rethink on North road funding

NORTHLAND'S mayors have called for a review of Transit New Zealand's national road funding formula, which they claim fails to consider the cost of roading projects in different areas.