National’s energy plan

Nationalwill repeal the Resource Management Act, promote the use of carbon capture and storage, and back ‘‘responsible’’ mining if it wins next month’s election. Jonathan Young, National’s spokesman on energy and resources, announced the party’s energy and resources policy at Pace Engineering in NewPlymouth yesterday, calling it a ‘‘pragmatic’’ approach. If elected, National would adopt a ‘‘fuel neutral’’ approach to energy policy, focus on reducing all energy emissions, and reverse the oil and gas ban announced by the Government in April 2018. The policy highlighted howthe country had to be open to all technologies as part of a transition to a net-zero emissions economy, Young said. National would support the development of newopportunities like hydrogen, and would allowfor carbon capture and storage to be recognised in the Emissions Trading Scheme. He said National considered natural gas to be a strategic resource to ensure stable pricing and availability. The party also supported ‘‘responsible mining’’, which could showa net, positive contribution to the economy and environment.