Ministry for energy

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32702, 3 September 1971, Page 3

Ministry for energy

. (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 2. An independent Ministry of energy respiirces is to be set up by legislation to co-ordinate policies, planning and administration of fuel and power.

The first stage will be the immediate establish* ment of a small Energy Resources Commission to assume responsibility for, co-ordination and to prepare the legislation setting up the Ministry. Announcing this in a statement today the Minister of . Mines (Mr Shelton) said that for some time the Government had been tnring to find the best means of ensuring co-ordination in this important sector of the economy.

“The fuel and power committee of the National Development Conference encountered this problem in attempting to put together an over-all forecast of demand for fuel and power." Mr Shelton said.

“The committee recommended that, not excluding the possibility that a Ministry may be established tn due course, the Government should appoint an advisory council of industry representatives and officials.

“The Fuel and Power Council has now been established for some time, and has set up working parties on research and statistics. There are also a number of committees, of officials working on specific problems.

“The Fuel and Power Council and these committees are providing a useful forum for debating energy matters, and for providing the Government with a consensus,of views. There is, however, also a need for strong resources' of expertise and research capacity if the complex studies required by the Government as a basis for energy sector decisions are to be undertaken.

“A great deal of work remains to be done to ensure that the most effective use is

made of statistical data in forecasting the growth of demand for energy, and in providing the Government with co-ordinated advice on alternative ways of meeting the demand at national, regional and local levels.

The Government is satisfied that these functions can only be carried out effectively by a separate and independent Ministry. However, its nature and structure require further consideration. Singleness of purpo'se is essential if the energy industries and the public are to accept the impartiality of the development planning to be undertaken.

“The first stage of setting up the Ministry will be the immediate establishment of an Energy Resources Commission, which will be a small autonomous unit.

“This Energy Resources Commission will continue to build up a framework of statistical and background information, and will commence substantive work on the co-ordination of energy policy, provide administrative services for the Fuel and Power Council, and be responsible for the preparation of legislation to establish the Ministry itself. “The Government expects that the commissioin, with the advice and assistance of a special committee of officials and of the Fuel and

Power Council, will have legislation ready for introduction in the 1972 session of Parliament,” Mr Shelton said.