Mr Tizard rules out nuclear power option

Press, 12 July 1985, Page 26

Mr Tizard rules out nuclear power option

NZPA special correspondent Paris The International Energy Agency (1.E.A.), which in April recommended that New Zealand consider the option of nuclear energy, has been told in no uncertain terms that the idea is a non-starter.

The Minister of Energy, Mr Tizard, told the I.E.A.’s annual ministerial meeting, “New Zealand does not have a nuclear power programme nor any plans in this direction.” He said this was for a number of reasons, includ-

ing the availability of alternative energy resources.

It was also because of a deep-rooted public attitude “which it is not appropriate to spell out here, but of which you will all be aware.”

Mr Tizard said that New Zealand had always been supportive of I.E.A. policies, largely because its small size and distance from world markets had made it particularly vulnerable to any sort of disruption to essential energy supplies. He said that New Zea-

land’s gas-to-gasoline plant, due to come on stream within a few months, would make a “small but very significant contribution” to supply stability in that region. Mr Tizard also said that with an expected tightening of oil supplies in the 1990 s and an increasing reliance on Middle Eastern supplies, I.E.A. countries should put particular emphasis on increased co-operation on energy research and development, energy, and the environment and structural adjustment.