PART 3: SIGNIFICANT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
12.2 Energy Issues, Objectives, Policies and Methods
Introduction
The use of energy in all its forms in the District is vital to the wellbeing of the community and the maintenance and development of the District’s economy. While Council has no direct management functions for energy resources, its responsibility for sustainable resource management means that the Council is interested in the protection, use, or development of resources that are in some way affected by the production, transmission, or use of energy. Resources include natural resources from which energy may be produced, such as flowing water, and physical resources such as sites or locations and facilities for energy production or transmission.
The Council is able to consider and address in the Tasman Regional Policy Statement, issues such as:
(i) any significant adverse effects of land uses that are associated with the production, transmission, or use of energy; or
(ii) any adverse effects of energy resource development on water, rivers, the coast or environmental contamination.
The District is endowed with a sunny and moderately windy climate, suitable for solar or wind power electricity generation. While hydropower electricity is produced at the Cobb power station and a few small-scale hydropower generating facilities, most of the District’s electricity demand is met by the major South Island hydropower installations, through the national transmission grid. The national grid feeds electricity to the substation at Kikiwa, from where it is distributed to the Tasman, Nelson, Buller and Marlborough districts. The link to Kikiwa has finite capacity. The future cost of increasing supply to these four northern districts through additional national grid facilities is expected to encourage consideration of options for local production and distribution of electricity. Deregulation of the national supply and transmission monopolies could increase electricity prices, because of the relatively large distances involved in power transmission and the relatively small local markets.
The District imports petroleum fuels for transport and industrial uses, and coal for industrial and domestic heating. A feature of the local demand for petroleum fuels is the relatively higher proportion of diesel usage than in other areas, because of heavy haulage transport, particularly for forest products.
There are two significant energy issues that the Council considers need to be addressed in the Tasman Regional Policy Statement. They are:
(i) the environmental effects of energy resource development, particularly electricity generation; and (ii) the need to promote efficient energy uses.
The environmental effects of using imported petroleum fuel, including its likely contribution to the greenhouse effect and associated climate change, has been considered by the Council. The Council recognises that fossil carbon in petroleum fuels passes into the atmosphere and is a significant contributor to the greenhouse effect.
However, the effects of petroleum fuel use are a global issue. In the District, as in the country at large, there is no easy substitute for petroleum fuels, therefore measures such as economic instruments or voluntary reductions may not be effective and may carry their own adverse social and economic effects. The Council believes that policy to encourage or influence the development of renewable alternatives to current hydrocarbon fuels, as well as policy to address present fossil fuel usage, is a government responsibility.
The pursuit of energy efficiency may result in a switch from one form of energy to another, increasing demand for that form of energy and potentially increasing the environmental effects of obtaining or using that form of energy.
Issue 12.1
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF ENERGY RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
The District has potential for the production of energy from a number of natural and physical resources.
Conflicts may arise where there are other resource values that may be adversely affected by such development.
Electricity may be generated by hydropower, tidal, wind or solar power means, where, except for solar power generation, the kinetic energy of flowing water or air may be tapped. There are a few large rivers in the District with potential for significant hydropower generation, and many smaller waterways may be suitable for small- scale hydropower facilities to serve single properties or small communities. While water is a renewable resource, there may be a limited number of sites or locations from which to economically produce electricity.
This applies to rivers and is likely to apply also to tidal power generation. Such sites are therefore a significant energy resource in association with the flowing waters.
However, most of the rivers and streams in the District having hydropower potential also support often significant wildlife, fisheries, scenic and other natural values. Most hydropower technologies, including run of the river methods of generation, interfere with flows by diversions or dammings and adversely affect such values. Reduced flows in river reaches may restrict habitat, and fish passage is usually difficult to achieve effectively. The visual effects of the reduced flows or of structures may also have significance. Tidal energy is a potentially significant source of electricity, however, there does not appear to be sufficient investigation to demonstrate feasible development at any site around the District’s coastline.
There are long term tradeoffs to be made concerning the continued provision for natural or instream values associated with river or stream sites, and the uptake of such sites for hydropower generation. Increasing interest in hydropower generation in the District can be expected as a result of the deregulation of the electricity supply market.
Sites for wind power or solar power generation are also likely to be limited. Key effects are the visual and noise effects of large structures such as turbines, and the use of space for these facilities. Again some choices will need to be made about the extent and location of such activities.
Transmission of energy requires linear sites or corridors crossing a variety of land uses and parts of the coastal marine area. The visual effects of transmission structures and lines are a key issue. Continuity of such activities is an important consideration, and the Act protects lawfully established land uses where their effects remain similar in character, intensity and scale.
The question of relocation of transmission facilities could arise if an upgrade, replacement or duplication would have effects different from those of the existing facilities, taking the work outside the protection of the Act. The need for relocation would only arise for a transmission work requiring a resource consent or a requirement to designate land for the work. Relocation could only be implemented if an alternative location was available where the transmission line would have less adverse effects.
While there are no significant petroleum or coal resources in the District, there is potential for a significant stream of wood or other plant biomass for liquid or gas fuel conversion in the future. Already, significant quantities of wood waste are available and used for industrial heating. Co-generation or the joint production of heat and electricity, is a future possibility. Conversion of organic wastes such as stock effluent into biogas for heating or even fuel purposes is also an option. The environmental performance of sites or plants for conversion or co-generation would need to be established, in order to manage contaminant discharges and other adverse effects.
Addressed by Objective 12.1 and Policy 12.1.
Related issues are Issues 7.2, 8.2.
Section 12: Other Significant Resource Management Issues 1 July 2001
Issue 12.2
PROMOTION OF EFFICIENT ENERGY USES
The Council has an interest in the promotion of efficient uses of energy where these are able to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse environmental effects. As well, the achievement of energy efficiency may reduce the rates of growth of energy demand, and the need to establish new energy generation facilities or pursue options, together with their possible adverse effects.
Energy efficiency may be seen within a wider context than simply thermal efficiency, or the avoidance of heat loss. Energy efficiency can include the minimisation of energy costs embodied in resources that are needed to establish or maintain structures, settlements, transport networks or other developments. Energy efficiency in transport may involve choices between different fuels, or the location and form of transport networks, or transport mode (e.g. rail). Reductions in adverse effects such as environmental contamination (for example, smoke, waste heat) or the use of finite natural resources, as well as achieving community safety, health and convenience are all possible benefits of energy efficiency. There are strong connections between energy efficiency and waste minimisation aims and methods.
Achieving energy efficiency in built development may involve consideration of location, siting or design of buildings, and the use of materials or technology. Energy efficiency in transport may involve choices between different fuels or the location and form of transport networks, or transport mode (e.g. rail). The transport and urban development sections of the Tasman Regional Policy Statement address this issue.
While the national Building Code sets the performance requirements for energy efficient buildings, there is a need for wider promotion of voluntary energy efficient measures in all types of built development, particularly in buildings for industrial and domestic use, and including improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings.
For new buildings, passive energy efficiency can be achieved through location and siting to the weather, and design features may take advantage of solar power or minimise the need for other forms of heating. Retrofitting or refitting existing buildings with new materials or methods of insulation or heat generation is an important area for promotion.
Addressed by Objectives 5.6, 12.2 and Policy 12.2.
Related issues are Issues 5.1, 7.1.
Objective 12.1
The use and development of natural and physical resources for the generation and distribution of energy, in a manner which is efficient and which avoids, remedies or mitigates any adverse effects on the environment.
Objective 12.2
Conservative and efficient use of energy, and reduced dependence on non-renewable energy resources.
REASONS:
Energy use and development is a necessary part of community wellbeing. There are opportunities for energy production, transmission, and use that are both efficient and able to be continued without significant adverse effects on natural and physical resources. The Council wishes to maximise uptake of such opportunities.
Addresses by Issues 12.1, 12.2; achieved by Policies 12.1, 12.2.
Related objectives are Objectives 5.6, 7.1, 8.2.
Objective 12.3
No risk of contamination from radioactive material or irradiating apparatus.
REASONS:
Use of radioactive material, principally as an energy generating source, is seen to have unacceptable contamination risks for Tasman District, and the presence of such material or of apparatus, particularly in connection with this use, is opposed.
Addresses Issue 12.3; achieved by Policies 12.3, 12.4.
Related objective is Objective 11.4.
Policy 12.1
The Council will seek to provide for the continuation of energy generation, transmission, or use opportunities, while avoiding, remedying or mitigating the adverse effects of such actions on natural, heritage and amenity values of resources.
EXPLANATION AND REASONS:
The Council recognises the need for continuity in energy supply. Council wishes to ensure that the limited stock of resources that may be required for or affected by energy production, transmission, or use is protected to an appropriate degree, where those resources also have important public uses or values.
METHODS OF IMPLEMENTATION:
(i) The Council will liaise with organisations and individuals having energy supply interests, in order to remain informed concerning national and local energy market conditions and outlook, and the long term options and implications for energy production within the District.
(ii) The Council will develop policies and rules in its regional and district plans and make decisions on resource consent applications to provide for appropriate energy production, transmission, or use activities, including hydropower electricity, that do not adversely affect natural, heritage and amenity resource values of resources, including instream values of water bodies and the natural character of the coastal environment.
ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS:
(i) Continuity of energy supply including electricity from either national or local sources.
(ii) Protection of significant natural values of water bodies, the coast and other significant resource values.
PERFORMANCE MONITORING INDICATORS:
(i) Assessed significance of changes to water bodies or other sites affected by energy generation, transmission, or use.
Implements Objective 12.1, to address Issue 12.1.
Related policies are Policies 5.1, 5.6, 7.4, 8.2, 12.2.
Policy 12.2
The Council will promote the use of energy efficient materials, technologies, designs and locations for buildings and developments.
EXPLANATION AND REASONS:
Energy efficient buildings and other developments avoid unnecessary energy use, provide economic benefits and so help to reduce the need for new energy sources or for building materials or other resources that may involve
Section 12: Other Significant Resource Management Issues 1 July 2001
METHODS OF IMPLEMENTATION:
(i) The Council will advocate and promote methods of incorporating energy efficient materials, technologies, designs and locations into built developments and will liaise with organisations and parties having energy management interests.
(ii) The Council will develop policies and rules in the District Plan that require the consideration and incorporation of energy efficient features in built developments including, for example, continued access to solar energy.
(iii) (i) and (ii) apply to renovations as well as to new building, and include:
(a) lighting;
(b) insulation;
(c) heating and ventilation;
(d) passive solar design;
(e) appliances;
to the extent allowed by the Building Act.
(iv) The Council will act to pursue energy efficiency in its operations.
ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS:
(i) An increased level of energy efficiency in built development.
(ii) Energy efficient building features that contribute to reduced environmental contamination or waste generation.
PERFORMANCE MONITORING INDICATORS:
(i) Rate of uptake of energy efficiency in built development.
(ii) The extent to which energy demand can be reduced, and the production outputs achieved with less energy consumption.
Implements Objective 12.2, to address Issue 12.2.
Related policies are Policies 5.1, 5.6, 12.2.
Policy 12.3
The Council will prohibit:
(a) the generation or use of radioactive material;
(b) the generation of energy from radioactive material or irradiating apparatus; and (c) the transport, storage or disposal of radioactive material or waste;
in Tasman District except where:
(i) the transport, storage, or use of radioactive material, or the use of irradiating apparatus for medical, educational, or research purposes; or
(ii) the disposal of radioactive material or waste;
is undertaken in accordance with the Radiation Protection Act 1965.
Policy 12.4
The Council is opposed to the presence of nuclear powered or nuclear equipped vessels in the waters of the Tasman District.
EXPLANATION AND REASONS:
The use of radioactive material or irradiating apparatus is principally in connection with energy generation or supply, elsewhere in the world. Apart from particular medical, educational or research purposes, potential energy generation uses of such material or apparatii are considered to have unacceptable risks of contamination or other environmental damage in Tasman District. The Council will prohibit or oppose such uses or activities to the extent of its resource management powers.
METHOD OF IMPLEMENTATION:
(i) The Council will advocate to the government that energy-related uses of radioactive material or nuclear technology be kept out of Tasman District.
(ii) The Council will develop policies and rules in its district and regional plans and make decisions on resource consent applications to prohibit or restrict radioactive material and nuclear technology in activities within Tasman District in accordance with the policies.
ANTICIPATED ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS:
(i) Continued low or no risk of contamination or other environmental damage from radioactive sources.
PERFORMANCE MONITORING INDICATORS:
(i) Incidence of radioactivity from nuclear sources or technology present at any time in Tasman District.
Implements Objective 12.3, to address Issue 12.3.
Related policy is Policy 10.8.
Section 12: Other Significant Resource Management Issues 1 July 2001