Most sensible thing our government has said in a long time. Personally I prefer Hydrogen Cell over electric/hybrid for the motor car of the future, so this seems like a positive step. So being a suspicious person I guess there must be something nefarious lurking behind it. “If it seems too good to be true…”
Here’s the story from Radio NZ:
The government has continued its charm offensive in Taranaki following its decision not to issue any new offshore oil and gas exploration permits.
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters was in New Plymouth yesterday to announce funding for the development of hydrogen energy infrastructure in the province.
But some in the region say even more investment is required.
Mr Peters told civic, business and iwi leaders that he was aware the government’s climate change policy had caused confusion and anxiety in Taranaki.
And he promised to do better in the future.
“It’s our intention to make sure that it comes out with great clarity from here on in so no one is in any doubt of the critical role that Taranaki and its scientific advance when it comes to energy will play in the future.
“We know that this is the epicentre of that scientific knowledge.”
Mr Peters then announced a grant of about $1 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to Taranaki company Hiringa Energy which aims to develop zero emission hydrogen transport fuel.
The money will be used to scope the engineering and design of two hydrogen generation facilities, up to four mobile compressed hydrogen storage and distribution containers, and up to three refuelling stations.
