Electricity favoured energy for Chch

Press, 3 June 1982, Page 7

Electricity favoured energy for Chch

Electricity is the only practicable energy alternative in Christchurch, according to a study commissioned by the Energy Research and Development Committee. The report also recommends that an energy advisory group under the auspices of the Canterbury United Council be set up. The advisory group would contain representatives of energy production and supply authorities and urban and rural consumer groups.

The report, called “Canterbury Regional Energy Study,” was prepared by the

Christchurch town-planning and engineering consultancy firm of Gabites, Porter and Partners.

“Air pollution has for many years been a problem in the main urban area of Christchurch, and is of particular concern to the air pollution committee of the United Council,” says the report. “Burning solid fuels in open domestic fires, for space heating in winter months, is one of the primary causes of the pollution.

“The closing of the gas works will remove that form of energy for domestic space heating and for any industrial and commercial processes. Replacement energies are likely to be mainly either electricity, coal, or liquefied petroleum gas. In the absence of plentiful coke supplies and unless clean-burn-ing, solid fuel appliances can be introduced on a wider scale than at present, any substantial increase in coal burning, particularly by the domestic sector in winter, may have significantly detrimental effects on already unacceptable pollution levels. • “The most practicable alternative, therefore, is increased use of electricity for these purposes, which while

being a sensible environmental solution, would also further incline the domestic sector in the main urban area to a dependance on a single energy form at a price subject to national variation. “The level .at which domestic electricity tariffs are set in the Christchurch urban area may justifiably be seen to warrant special consideration in such circummstances?’ the report says. The development and production of ethanol from biomass has considerable potential, it says. “Consideration of the opportunity costs for alternative crop production, and the extent to which national policies may be introduced to encourage petrol blending, or substitution, are two important aspects which will need to be determined before such potential can be pursued. “Energy is but one of the many inter-related issues facing the Canterbury region. By its very nature, it is a central .foundation for the implementation of policies affecting employment and the environment and as such demands priority for attention,” the report says.