‘Action taken on most petrol plant recommendations’

Press, 5 August 1981, Page 12

‘Action taken on most petrol plant recommendations’

PA Wellington Action is under way on most recommendations by the Commission for the Environment to the Government over the proposed synthetic petrol plant ’in Taranaki, says the Minister of National Development (Mr Birch). The commission's audit of the environmental impact report on the plant contains recommendations to the Synthetic Fuels Corporation and to the Government.

Most of the recommendations relating to the. plant infrastructure for which the Government had accepted responsibility were already being acted bn. said Mr Birch. “The Government believes that the arrangements developed will meet the concerns of ’the local authorities and the people of the North Tarahaki region,” he said.

‘‘The Government has noted the recommendations in the audit regarding its energy and liquid fuels strategy. It was surprised that the Commission for the Environment had not given more recognition to the research already undertaken on alternative fuels, compressed natural gas and alcohol blends, and to the Government’s on-going research programme in these areas.

"The commission also seems not to have recognised the practical impediments to implementing the other alternative fuel options on a major scale in the short term.

“The Government already puts considerable emphasis on the development and implementation of the longerterm transport fuel alternatives — compressed natural

gas and alcohol-based fuels — and the only barriers to faster progress are those of technical and economic practicability," Mr Birch said.

“The Government is very aware of the concerns expressed about atmospheric pollution frem motor vehicles generally and lead levels in petrol, in particular. The Government has decided that synthetic petrol produced at Motonui should be lead-free, and blended with refined petrol at Marsden Point. i'iZ'?.,-

"When the Marsden refinery expansion comes on stream in late 1984 the lead level in petrol will be reduced from 0.84 grams per litre to 0.45 grams per litre. The progressive introduction of alternative fuels . : . will improve the situation further.

“However, if the lead content of petrol were to be

totally .eliminated, as the Commission for the Environ- < ment recommends. New Zea- ■’ land would need to increase its imports of crude oil by 160.000 tonnes per year at a cost of ?60 million. This--would be an. unjustified ■ economic penalty in New?; Zealand's circumstances.

“A programme to determine lead levels in blood in | New Zealand will be under- Z taken by the Government as a prerequisite to any further major decision on lead levels \ in, petrol. -The Government, none- S, theless, is constantly alert to the long-term desirability of achieving lower lead levels in petrol and, with the New Zealand Refining Company. * is examining whether a further reduction over-all will j,. be possible when the leadfree blendstock from Motonui is available,” Mr Birch said.