Oil and gas – we need to talk

On his recent visit the acting prime minister Winston Peters was asked what percentage chance is there for oil and gas exploration in the Great South Basin.

He gave no definitive answer. In order to reduce our carbon emissions we need to reduce the use of carbon in our energy supply, fossil fuels and methane being the cause of our biggest emissions

The dilemma is presented in opinion article ‘‘Zero carbon for Southland not so simple’’ (August 13) and the letter on climate change (August 16) which puts the question our grandchildren may ask of us: ‘‘What did we do here in Southland when we learned how serious climate change was?’’

The National Party’s, business as usual, approach last year granted the Great South Basin joint venture parties an extension to drill an exploration well in PEP Block 50119 in the Great South Basin and under revised permit conditions. This must be implemented by July 11, 2019.

See Shell New Zealand website :https://www.shell.co.nz/about-us/locations-and-projects/exploration.html

Shell also says: ‘‘We are very grateful to the communities of Otago and Southland for the way in which they have engaged with us so far.

‘‘We will ensure that open and honest engagement with all interested parties continues as the project matures towards the drilling campaign.’’

Shell leave New Zealand at the end of the year, on-selling this permit to OMV.

Any public meeting needs to include this conversation.

It didn’t work for Shell in Dunedin on April 8 2013 so they came to Southland.

Denis Bartley