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Two members of the Electricity Authority have been reappointed, Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley announced today.

David Bull and Roger Sowry have both been reappointed for five years, effective 1 June 2012.

“Both have served on the Electricity Authority since its establishment in November 2010,” said Mr Heatley.

“The reappointments provide the Authority with continuity of expertise and experience,” he said.

An extra 41,000 New Zealand homes will be warmer, drier and healthier, thanks to the extension of the Government’s Warm Up New Zealand: Heat Smart programme.

The insulation programme has been extended in Budget 2012 to insulate a total of 230,000 homes.

“Up to another 120,000 New Zealanders will be better off from the health and energy efficiency benefits provided by an insulated home,” Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley says.

The 2012 EECA Awards winners prove that good energy use brings strong economic benefits, Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley said at the Awards ceremony in Auckland tonight.

Mr Heatley presented this year’s Supreme Award to national carrier Air New Zealand.

“Air New Zealand is a great exemplar of why New Zealand businesses have so much to gain from improving their use of energy,” Mr Heatley said.

A major project on the geology of Northland has come to fruition with today’s release of the 2011 aeromagnetic survey data, Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley said at a launch function in Paihia.

“The data will be a huge asset to Northland. It will give Northpland a real edge,” he said.

“We now have a rich database that will be invaluable for a wide range of engineering, scientific and public good science applications.

The Government welcomes the confirmation today of the conditional sale of the Pike River Coal Mine assets to Solid Energy, the Minister of Energy and Resources, Phil Heatley, said tonight.

“The sale, conditional on a number of mostly procedural matters including transfer of the mining permit, is a positive step towards determining the future of resource development at the mine,” he said.

Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley today welcomed the announcement of a $365 million refining expansion at Marsden Point in Whangarei that will create 700 new jobs.

“This is great news for the industry and the local community,” Mr Heatley said.

“Spending $365 million on this upgrade will mean 700 new jobs, higher energy efficiency and fewer carbon emissions. That’s fantastic news for Whangarei and for the energy industry in New Zealand.”

Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley has welcomed the launch of Petroleum Basin Explorer, a new petroleum exploration data portal developed by GNS Science.

“To realise the potential of our oil and gas resources, we must attract reputable operators who are willing to invest in exploration,” said Mr Heatley.

“Providing good quality information has been a key part of New Zealand’s strategy for attracting that investment. Launching the portal as the 2012 petroleum block offers are being finalised is perfect timing.

Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley today welcomed the launch in Canterbury of a campaign to raise energy awareness.

The Christchurch Agency for Energy (CAfE) has launched EA12, a public awareness programme for 2012, starting with events in April and May.

“I applaud CAfE’s initiative, which will help Cantabrians use energy more efficiently and encourage them to look for opportunities to use renewable energy.

Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley has welcomed the inquiry into fracking announced today by Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Jan Wright.

“I look forward to the results of this inquiry. It will enable us to move forward with confidence and a clear understanding of what’s fact and what’s fiction,” Mr Heatley said.

“This inquiry will enable us to consider all our options around fracking, from the consenting process through to work in the field.

The contribution of renewable energy sources to total annual electricity generation increased to 77 per cent in 2011 from 74 per cent in 2010, Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley announced today.

“This is another positive step towards the Government’s goal of 90 per cent renewable generation by 2025,” Mr Heatley said.

Wind generation increased to 4.5 per cent total generation in 2011, and geothermal generation increased to 13.4 per cent of total generation.

Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley heads overseas today to attend the 13th International Energy Forum Ministerial Meeting in Kuwait.

The IEF is the world’s largest gathering of Energy Ministers. Its 88 member countries account for 90 per cent of global oil and gas supply and demand. It is the world’s leading forum for producer/consumer dialogue within the global energy sector, and on energy issues affecting the world.

The Government welcomes the news of the sale of Pike River Mine to Solid Energy, Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley said today.

“This is a positive step towards a commercial re-opening of the mine. We expect Solid Energy to commit to use its best endeavours to recover the bodies of the deceased miners.

“Any plan for re-opening the mine and recovering the bodies will need to be safe and credible. The Government is not prepared to see any further lives lost at the mine,” says Mr Heatley.

The Government is asking New Zealanders for feedback on proposals to improve the legislation governing oil, gas and mineral permitting.

Minister of Energy and Resources Phil Heatley today released a discussion paper outlining the proposed changes to the Crown Minerals Act 1991, and associated regulations and programmes.

“Energy and mineral resources are major export earners for New Zealand and there is huge potential for them to contribute even more to the economy,” he said.

Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley today welcomed moves by the Ministry of Economic Development to consult on the exploration potential of the Northland region’s mineral resources.

The consultation process formally begins today on specific areas proposed to be included in a competitive tender for metallic mineral exploration permits. This is the first step of a new economic opportunity for the region, Mr Heatley said.

Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley has welcomed the latest “block offer” process for awarding oil and gas exploration permits in selected areas, released today by the Ministry of Economic Development. The 2012 proposed block offer covers 25 areas.

“While we don’t necessarily expect exploration to be undertaken in all the blocks on offer this year, this is an important step in developing New Zealand’s significant resource wealth,” the Minister said.

The Government is welcoming a likely $250 million a year increase to exports and the 500 additional construction jobs as part of the agreement announced this afternoon by the Todd Corporation and Methanex New Zealand to increase methanol production in Taranaki.

Methanex is entering into a 10 year contract with Todd that enable it to restart the second methanol manufacturing train at its Motunui facility, north of New Plymouth.