coal Archive

  • Catherine Delahunty

    Denniston too precious to mine - by Catherine Delahunty



    I am concerned that the interim decision of the Environment Court does not rule out the mining of the Denniston Plateau. The interim decision of the Environment Court acknowledges that the Denniston Plateau has high biodiversity values which would be impacted by mining and that the situation is too close to call. However the decision [...] read more
    March 28, 2013 2:53 pm - 9 Comments
  • Gareth Hughes

    Lignite coal to stay in the hole - by Gareth Hughes



    I am celebrating today after the news that Solid Energy will be dropping its Lignite project in Southland. This is a win for the climate and our environment and for Southland. read more
    February 22, 2013 3:50 pm - 20 Comments
  • Gareth Hughes

    Tell Southland District Council to keep the coal in the hole - by Gareth Hughes



    Southland District Council is calling for submissions on its proposed District Plan. This is your chance to tell the Southland District Council that you want a sustainable and prosperous future for Southland, and call on it to make new mining and drilling for lignite coal and coal seam gas a prohibited activity. read more
    February 19, 2013 8:55 pm - No Comments
  • Gareth Hughes

    Solid Energy’s future is in clean energy - by Gareth Hughes



    There hasn’t been a great deal of good news lately for Solid Energy. What does the future hold? read more
    February 7, 2013 12:25 pm - 163 Comments
  • Julie Anne Genter

    Cycling to Southland – Prelude - by Julie Anne Genter



    Gareth’s already blogged about the Keep The Coal in the Hole summer festival, and I’m excited to be attending. As the new transport spokesperson, I decided to take a bit of time during the summer holiday to travel to the festival in the most climate-friendly means possible. I’ll be leaving by ferry from Wellington on [...] read more
    January 12, 2012 2:02 pm - 9 Comments
  • Gareth Hughes

    Keep the Coal in the Hole Summer Festival - by Gareth Hughes



    The main target is lignite coal mining in Southland an issue the Greens have been strong in opposing. Lignite is bad for the environment and our economy instead we should be pursuing modern renewable energy solutions, not 19th Century coal. read more
    January 9, 2012 12:15 pm - 7 Comments
  • Gareth Hughes

    Play the ‘Keep the coal in the hole’ Tetris game - by Gareth Hughes



    Today I launched a Member’s Bill and a tetris-like computer game as a part of our campaign to keep dirty lignite coal in the hole. Lignite is bad for the environment and our economy. We should be pursuing modern renewable energy solutions, not 19th Century coal. First the serious part. The Climate Change Response (Low [...] read more
    May 26, 2011 2:26 pm - 3 Comments
  • frog

    Old King Coal fights back - by frog



    Coal Cares™ is a brand-new initiative from Chevron, one of America’s proud family of coal companies, to reach out to American youngsters with asthma and to help them keep their heads high in the face of those who would treat them with less than full dignity. For kids who have no choice but to use an inhaler, Coal Cares™ lets them inhale with pride. Puff-Puff™ inhalers are available free to any family living within 200 miles of a coal plant… read more
    May 19, 2011 8:55 am - 11 Comments
  • Gareth Hughes

    Hansen “climate change a moral issue” - by Gareth Hughes



    Last night, along with several hundred other concerned Wellingtonians, I attended Dr. James Hansen’s lecture on climate change. James Hansen is an esteemed atmospheric physicist, and has been called the ‘grandfather of climate change’. Evidently his reputation preceded him as the crowd packed out two lecture theatres at Victoria University’s Law School. One of the [...] read more
    May 17, 2011 8:48 pm - 9 Comments
  • Gareth Hughes

    Stop the lignite-mare - by Gareth Hughes



    Lignite is at the New Zealand coal-face of the environmental crisis. It is well and truly on the agenda with top climate scientist James Hansen, currently touring NZ, urging us to keep the coal in the hole. State-owned Enterprise Solid Energy and the L&M Group are currently either planning or at the permitting stage (behind [...] read more
    May 16, 2011 11:13 am - 11 Comments
  • frog

    Jeanette says we must keep the coal in the ground - by frog



    The Herald ran a very compelling op-ed by Jeanette Fitzsimons yesterday, suggesting that from a climate perspective our priority must be to keep most of the remaining fossil fuel in the ground. For 35 years I have been wrong about how to prevent climate change. It’s time I confessed. For 35 years I have worked [...] read more
    November 3, 2010 6:57 pm - 51 Comments
  • Catherine Delahunty

    Nightmare at Nightcaps – a coal mine in town - by Catherine Delahunty



    I never knew what Nightcaps was. Nightcaps have had coal mining since the late 1880s and have experienced tragedy as well as identity through coal mining. read more
    June 24, 2010 11:35 am - 13 Comments
  • frog

    Big Gerry treads lightly on Solid Energy privatisation plans - by frog



    Earlier today, Solid Energy Chair John Palmer advocated, in a presentation before the start of the NZX Annual Meeting in Wellington, the partial privatisation of Solid Energy. We want a Yes or a No, Gerry, not your equivocation! read more
    June 17, 2010 7:15 pm - 10 Comments
  • frog

    Love it, Don’t mine it - by frog



    This week saw the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day. There have been events marking the occasion all around the country, many sponsored by the Green Party. These culminate today with events in Auckland, Thames, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin. Our Green MPs will be there and invite you to join them in sending [...] read more
    April 24, 2010 6:03 am - 5 Comments
  • Kennedy Graham

    Coal and Sustainable Energy: An exciting essay topic - by Kennedy Graham



    To the CEO of Solid Energy: Dear Sir, I understand that your corporation is sponsoring an essay competition for schoolchildren in Southland, West Coast, Canterbury and Waikato. The essay, up to 1500 words, must address “The Role of Coal in Sustainable Energy Solutions for New Zealand.” read more
    March 13, 2010 10:20 am - 21 Comments
  • frog

    Global concern at Nats’ plan to mine national parks - by frog



    Scrutiny of Government plans to mine our conservation lands is deepening internationally. And it’s got people hot on Facebook too. The Sunday Star Times ran a powerful feature on the weekend called “Picture imperfect”. It looks at international concern at New Zealand’s environmental performance, including National’s plan to mine conservation land: IT’S JUST a stock-take [...] read more
    December 7, 2009 8:30 pm - 10 Comments
  • frog

    Chalking Nick in Nelson - by frog



    Chalking the opinion of many on the streets of Nelson this morning and challenging Nick Smith, who welcomed Schedule 4 thus: “This Bill at long last puts some pegs in the sand in some very significant areas of New Zealand and says to the mining industries of New Zealand: “These are no-go areas.”…” read more
    October 27, 2009 2:31 pm - 7 Comments
  • frog

    Minister Smith please stand up - by frog



    Nick has been surprisingly silent on the decision of Ministers Brownlee and Groser to do a stock-take of our premiere conservation land for its mining potential. Was he consulted? We know he was given a copy of Brownlee’s speech prior, but did he read it? Does he support it? What’s up, Nick? read more
    October 4, 2009 9:11 am - 22 Comments
  • frog

    Frog Week with Gerry and Tim - by frog



    It’s frog week! My favourite week of the year. But this one comes under a large grey cloud. My local native frog rellies have not been faring well for a while. They’re threatened by all sorts already. But now they have a new predator – Gerry with his sidekick Tim. All New Zealand’s native frog species are now threatened by mining. read more
    September 29, 2009 6:02 am - 3 Comments
  • frog

    Undermining our most generous gifts - by frog



    On 23 September 1887 – 122 years ago yesterday – Te Heuheu Tukino of Tuwharetoa gifted the mountains of Tongariro, Ngaruhoe and Ruapehu to the people of Aotearoa…. This anniversary was sullied by the fact that the Crown is now considering the Park’s mining potential. read more
    September 24, 2009 2:30 pm - 12 Comments
  • frog

    Minister mining for inspiration - by frog



    An avid frog reader has sent in this photo of the Minister of Energy and Resources, Gerry Brownlee, mining inspiration from a quality resource. read more
    September 14, 2009 9:09 am - 33 Comments
  • frog

    Recommended Sunday listening - by frog



    Some great listening and viewing this morning on NZ environmental issues. Podcasts and on-demand TV means those who slept in haven’t missed out – so enjoy. RadioNZ’s Insight doco at 8am was on carbon offsetting. Reporter Ian Telfer narrated a well-rounded look at the benefits and risks inherent in the largely-unregulated voluntary carbon market. Includes [...] read more
    July 26, 2009 12:15 pm - 23 Comments
  • frog

    Solid Energy: 100% Pure Greenwash - by frog



    You’d be forgiven for thinking Solid was in the business of environmental enhancement, with a bit of mining on the side! Alas, it’s an illusion. read more
    May 13, 2009 7:00 am - 10 Comments
  • frog

    Divine retribution? - by frog



    Since we’ve had a few negative posts on developments in Happy Valley recently, here’s one to cheer up those of you who, like me, think coal sux and wetlands are cool. It’s been raining on the Coast - not just cats and dogs but tigers and seals! The rain has apparently caused a massive slip on the [...] read more
    April 30, 2009 7:01 am - 9 Comments
  • Jeanette Fitzsimons

    To Save Happy Valley Coalition, From Jeanette - by Jeanette Fitzsimons



    I was absolutely gutted yesterday to hear that Solid Energy has moved into our beautiful valley to begin its destruction. I wish I could be here [in Christchurch] with you today. I want to celebrate all the people who have kept vigil at the camp, walked five hours to get there in hard weather, given [...] read more
    April 26, 2009 8:01 pm - 70 Comments
  • frog

    The Government’s Earth Day celebration? - by frog



    Well, the Government really got into the spirit of Earth Day yesterday, a day to “inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment”. However, it’s focus was a bit below the layer of earth that sustains life, and was all about celebrating coal. First, the Minister of Conservation announced he’d redrawn the boundaries of Otago’s [...] read more
    April 23, 2009 8:27 am - 59 Comments
  • frog

    Happy Valley heating up - by frog



    Here’s a bit of an update of what is happening in Happy Valley at the moment from a local: It’s very noisy in Happy Valley these days, with 2 drill rigs and a water pump pounding away. They’re all within 200m of the protest camp. Solid Energy is drilling 35 test holes to give them [...] read more
    March 17, 2009 9:00 pm - 2 Comments
  • frog

    Coalergy: Smudge - by frog



    I suppose this could just as well star Gerry Brownlee, the way he goes on about sexy coal and carbon capture and storage…. read more
    February 9, 2009 3:34 pm - 1 Comment
  • frog

    Conservatives call for effective ban on thermal generation without CCS - by frog



    The debate in the UK has been slowly heating up since the middle of last year, when a right-wing think tank called on the Labour government to impose gradually reducing emissions standards for all power plants. The effect would have been a ban on new coal plants without Carbon Capture and Storage, (CCS), while allowing [...] read more
    January 30, 2009 10:52 am - 3 Comments
  • frog

    Carbon Capture and Storage not right for NZ - by frog



    Now that Gerry “Sexy Coal” Brownlee holds the Energy portfolio, it’s time to look once again at his favourite meme. Should we be investing in new coal fired generation, in the hopes that Carbon Capture and Storage, (CCS), will rescue us from the emissions downside? Recently published research says that CCS is questionable at best [...] read more
    January 29, 2009 3:54 pm - 8 Comments
  • frog

    Save Happy Valley celebrates 3rd anniversary - by frog



    The Save Happy Valley Coalition celebrated the occupation’s 3rd anniversary on the weekend. The valley is home to endangered kiwi and snails in a precious forest-edged red tussock wetland. Destroying this special place to mine coal that will contribute to climate change is doubly criminal. While the occupation has so far protected the valley from [...] read more
    January 27, 2009 9:43 am - 1 Comment
  • frog

    Imminent extinction for august snail - by frog



    The Department of Conservation says that the powelliphanta augustus snails are not faring so well in their new homes. Up to 40% mortality is evident in the new populations established just within the last 2 years.Over 6000 snails have been gathered up and thrown in DOC fridges for the crime of daring to live on [...] read more
    November 28, 2008 3:39 pm - 13 Comments
  • frog

    Don’t look back, Don - by frog



    Don Elder waxed poetic about the prospects for NZ coal this week at Solid Energy’s maiden annual meeting in Auckland. We have more coal resource energy per capita than Saudi Arabia has oil. In a world of increasing demand, and increasingly constrained supply of energy, New Zealand is now the lucky country. Sorry, Don, but [...] read more
    November 26, 2008 11:24 am - 59 Comments
  • frog

    Solid Energy fires up coal seam gas generator - by frog



    It is an interesting proof of concept that unfortunately emphasises the least efficient use of the coal seam methane resource. Scoop captured the press release: Speaking today at Solid Energy’s Annual Meeting in Auckland, Chief Executive Officer, Dr Don Elder says that in a first for New Zealand, coal seam gas is now producing enough [...] read more
    November 24, 2008 4:32 pm - 17 Comments
  • frog

    CoalFinger - by frog



    This summer, from the people who bought you the dairy conversion of John Key’s electorate office, comes the latest blockbuster: Here’s the CoalFinger website and its international quit coal campaign. read more
    November 2, 2008 7:16 am - 3 Comments
  • frog

    An unusual request - by frog



    I just received this email this morning: Dear Sir/Madam, This is mathew gary and I will like to order coal. Do get back to me with the types and cost for the ones you do carry and let me know if there is an extra cost when using visa or master card. Kindly get back [...] read more
    September 18, 2008 9:29 am - 6 Comments
  • frog

    Pike River Coal Mine gets a Gold Star from DoC - by frog



    Yeah, great work with the ducks and trees; now about all those carbon emissions… But the climate is not DoC’s responsibility of course, it’s just the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff for the 25% of biodiversity the IPCC estimates may go extinct by the end of the century… At least the Greens made [...] read more
    September 15, 2008 5:34 pm - No Comments
  • frog

    Dirty ol’ Arctic - by frog



    According to the American National Science Foundation coal burning, primarily in North America and Europe, has contaminated the Arctic and is potentially affecting human health and ecosystems in and around Earth’s polar regions. Detailed measurements from a Greenland ice core showed pollutants from burning coal–the toxic heavy metals cadmium, thallium and lead–were much higher than [...] read more
    August 21, 2008 11:07 am - 1 Comment
  • frog

    A dangerous untruth - by frog



    A company called E.ON is using some familiar scare tactics in order to win approval for a new coal fired electricity plant in the UK. The Guardian reports that E.ON says the lights will go out without their station and that they can ‘clean up’ the coal by buying offsets. E.ON’s claims for coal are [...] read more
    August 2, 2008 4:02 pm - 10 Comments
  • frog

    Stuff inflames coal miles debate - by frog



    In a delicious attempt at greenwash, Stuff’s article on clean Pike River coal makes for hilarious reading. It claims that because Pike River has (wisely) decided to load the trains with coal a little closer to the mine, somehow there has been a miraculous reduction in emissions associated with the coal. Here’s the byline: CLEANER [...] read more
    June 18, 2008 4:02 pm - 8 Comments
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