Making environmentally sound choices

A geothermal power station near Taupo is the first project to be fast-tracked under National’s
streamlined Resource Management Act.

Part of our reforms was establishing the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to centralise
and streamline decision making on nationally significant proposals.

Contact Energy's proposed 240-megawatt station near Taupo could provide power for up to
180,000 Kiwi homes. National’s objective is to do these major projects once and do them
properly.

Under the amended RMA, Contact Energy applied directly to the EPA without a call-in from a
regional or territorial authority. A decision on the application must be made within nine months
of public notification.

Streamlining the RMA, and the establishment of the EPA are part of our strategy to encourage
the development of renewable energy.

For more information visit: http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/first+epa+request+referred+board+inquiry