I was really impressed by Casey’s interview too. He was incredible to listen to, as it was all so natural, clearly evidence based and clearly a no brainer for Aotearoa. But I was particularly impressed with his inclusiveness and awareness of all people. Specifically, noting those of lower incomes and socio-economic status. Not letting the divide between rich and poor get even bigger.
A remarkable man and vision.
Thanks for ensuring more people know about it Nick. It certainly has me thinking and discussing more 😳
🤗 Actually in some circumstances people have more power OUTSIDE the system, and Mike Casey fits that role as far as I am concerned. Can't be accused of posturing for politics, and totally "walks the talk" in his advocacy. 👍 Can talk to ANY political side (including rural!) and has a specialist topic command of facts that is needed.
I agree Cindy. It’s critical to have competent and articulate folk outside the politics to help ensure focus and to avoid the groupthink / party political spinning while being whipped / corralled / controlled.
Totally agree Nick. It surely wouldn’t be hard to subsidise solar panels for home owners with funding that was to be spent on a gas terminal. Also cannot understand why our large industrial buildings are not covered in panels. If we need to be shown how China would readily help even demonstrating the drones used to clean the panels. Drill baby drill and his druncle though would be totally opposed on many levels, and especially China’s help.
👍💯 There are commercial/local body buildings in Aotearoa who have already done the solar-panels-on-roof thing, and I heard years ago of a remote-ish settlement down south that had a community scheme for their houses & garages because it cost so much to get a connection to the grid.
When Cabinet Ministers in the Coalition start cycling (electric bikes) to Parliament for a ‘busy day of debating’, I’ll believe they’re on the right track.
Well done Nick. A great article and Mike Casey’s wisdom should be shared widely.
China is light years ahead of the Capitalist block in the renewable energy market. Trump has even paid a $billion to scrap a wind farm. The Neoliberals know that we have reached a tipping point where the renewable energy market will skyrocket, China will win and capitalism will die. Bring it on!
the other alternative is that the oligarchs with all their wealth destroy the rest and retreat to NZ! Sounds far fetched, but there are supporters of this view who point to such as Musk and Thiel as proponents!
I test drove one of the new $30k BYDs the other day, same day I found out my 2010 VW needs a $2200 gearbox repair making it effectively scrap value until it’s fixed!
I’m a part time motoring journalist so I’ve driven a lot of cars, I’d definitely have a BYD for the daily driving.
Yes, last Thursday evening I cruised through the adverts for BYD cars - then again on the weekend. It was interesting to find all bar a couple in more remote locations had disappeared from the Saturday listings. And now cost has gone up by about $5,000. So the demand is there. But if production requires oil, and shipping requires oil, will the cost go up even more?
RNZ went to South Auckland Markets on the weekend to interview people, why don't they go to Takapuna markets? They didn't interview any airport cleaners but one guy works hard and said its all Trumps fault and we need to keep out of it!
Thanks for highlighting that interview Nick , as an EV owner only possible thanks to the Labour Govt and a massive privilege to have I fully agree we should be investing in solar technology as Australia does for its citizens. The upfront cost of installing home solar is massive and beyond the means of so many of us but especially those that would benefit most. I do think though that RUC need to be paid as a fair contribution to our roads maintenance but of course this lot made a right ham fisted job of determining that for electric vehicles. The irony for me of course is that my other ride is a dinosaur fuel diesel camper which also has RUCs!
Dan Nick, thank you so much for including everything that Mike Casey said on QNA yesterday! Mike had better ideas than anybody in politics at the moment – is there any possibility that he could stand at the next election preferably as Prime Minister?
Impressive interview. I have been following Mike Casey for a while now - surely commonsense will prevail soon? We have bought an EV, but can’t afford to solar our home atm unfortunately.
My son in law bought an EV, right at the start of this - a Nissan Leaf. Now, there are no used EVs available in Dunedin. If you want one, you have to buy new.
Mike Casey's electrification push on the demand-side makes sense - convert everything we can do so easily as quickly as possible, then let others find solutions for the really hard problems - I have talked to Mike a few times and my only criticism is that he can be a bit too focussed on home solar as the panacea on the supply side - and Nick, even in your list of options (solar, wind, hydro, or geothermal) you miss out something NZ is particularly good at - growing trees for biomass. We need to diversify away from hydro so solar, wind, new hydro (where sensible), geothermal and biomass generation plant are all good bets.
When I see the thousands of cheap tree logs stacking up at Wellington port (or Napier or any port I go near it seems!) heading for China, I do think we should take a portion of those and convert them to wood chip then electricity and process heat - I haven't run the numbers, but I suspect they would bring more value to NZ by converting them to electricity. And I am sure we have enough biomass to run a couple of decent sized biomass CHP plant here. If we actually "added value" to the logs by processing them here (again!) and using the waste for CHP as we used to do at the Kinleith mill, then it could even be a win-win - more value from the logs and more value from the waste
Plus, like geothermal, biomass generation can be there in the driest of winters when we desperately need it. I am not sure how much biomass generation $1bn of "electricity user levy/tax" could buy, but it would be better than spending it on LNG. At least we know we can supply fuel for it even when the world is going mad, it would create jobs in NZ and keep more of the value of the trees we grow in NZ too. Plus, a lot of hard to decarbonise industries could use biomass for high temperature heat generation (very high temperature heat pumps are coming - EECA is pilotting them).
Often, the thing that kills the economics of biomass plant is the logistical cost of bringing such a low density fuel all to one place - but we do that already when we bring all the logs to the ports. Although it may cost a bit more than solar and wind per kWh generated, as a strategic asset that protects us from dry winters, and adds real value to something we produce in large quantities already, it would make sense for government/electricity users to subsidise that, rather than LNG. Given we plan to subsidise fuels for energy security reasons, why not make it a homegrown source instead?
🤔 Not up on if this would be practicable, but in some areas of high logging it should be investigated for sure. Also there are some crops that can make actual bio-fuel to run machinery etc - the tech on that has also advanced for conversion either of the fuel itself or the machine accepting it instead of diesel. Hate that Watties & McCains are stopping buying vegetables from local growers, but if we can't stop them closing, perhaps the growers might have land suitable for fuel crops instead of converting to dairying, which destroys clean water all around, and don't our exports travel on ships run on diesel??? Time to get serious on ALL of these things - like Mike Casey said, the little things become big things when combined 💪
Great piece, Nick. This government has been asleep at the wheel on energy issues. Their reaction to the consequences of the worldwide fuel shortage will show their inability to govern in times of crisis. They don't think further than the end of their nose. They have not prepared for any major national or international crisis that may arrive - and here we are.
Government not asleep at the wheel, it is deliberate. The oil companies are big Donor's to this Government. Look at Nicola Willis's farther is for a start.
I would argue (and many have!) that it is not so much asleep at this crisis, as so desperate to avoid looking like a COVID type response they have nailed their colours to the mast AGAINST, that vigorously encouraging work from home & other measures to avoid excess outings is seen as off the table to encourage individuals as a way to conserve fuel
Went to a good community meeting by Rewiring Aotearoa last year. I know my next car will be electric but it doesn't stack, $ and situation wise, for me to change now (even at today's fuel cost).
Nice choice and timing re Bic's song, enjoyed her gig last Friday
Excellent thanks Nick. Mike Casey is an amazing man who managed to succeed with his vision. Well deserved person of the year! This damn COG only centred on pleasing their donors. Have you seen how much they have been given to date?
Tāutoko Nick 😃
I was really impressed by Casey’s interview too. He was incredible to listen to, as it was all so natural, clearly evidence based and clearly a no brainer for Aotearoa. But I was particularly impressed with his inclusiveness and awareness of all people. Specifically, noting those of lower incomes and socio-economic status. Not letting the divide between rich and poor get even bigger.
A remarkable man and vision.
Thanks for ensuring more people know about it Nick. It certainly has me thinking and discussing more 😳
Yes Jo 🙏
Mike Casey - intelligent, awake, inclusive, aware and solution-focused. No need to wring our hands. Get him in government!
Oh sorry Mike - I never thought to ask you first!
🤗 Actually in some circumstances people have more power OUTSIDE the system, and Mike Casey fits that role as far as I am concerned. Can't be accused of posturing for politics, and totally "walks the talk" in his advocacy. 👍 Can talk to ANY political side (including rural!) and has a specialist topic command of facts that is needed.
I agree Cindy. It’s critical to have competent and articulate folk outside the politics to help ensure focus and to avoid the groupthink / party political spinning while being whipped / corralled / controlled.
Yes I thought the same- make a great left-wing political candidate
Yeah Marilyn, Mike would be a real asset. How long do you think he’d stay in parliament though?!? I suspect he’d get frustrated quite quickly.
But let’s ask him!!
💯 agree Jo
Totally agree Nick. It surely wouldn’t be hard to subsidise solar panels for home owners with funding that was to be spent on a gas terminal. Also cannot understand why our large industrial buildings are not covered in panels. If we need to be shown how China would readily help even demonstrating the drones used to clean the panels. Drill baby drill and his druncle though would be totally opposed on many levels, and especially China’s help.
👍💯 There are commercial/local body buildings in Aotearoa who have already done the solar-panels-on-roof thing, and I heard years ago of a remote-ish settlement down south that had a community scheme for their houses & garages because it cost so much to get a connection to the grid.
When Cabinet Ministers in the Coalition start cycling (electric bikes) to Parliament for a ‘busy day of debating’, I’ll believe they’re on the right track.
Well done Nick. A great article and Mike Casey’s wisdom should be shared widely.
Or at least build cycle lanes!
China is light years ahead of the Capitalist block in the renewable energy market. Trump has even paid a $billion to scrap a wind farm. The Neoliberals know that we have reached a tipping point where the renewable energy market will skyrocket, China will win and capitalism will die. Bring it on!
I saw that, about Trump spending a billion rather than have clean energy produced. Absolutely mind blowing.
the other alternative is that the oligarchs with all their wealth destroy the rest and retreat to NZ! Sounds far fetched, but there are supporters of this view who point to such as Musk and Thiel as proponents!
I test drove one of the new $30k BYDs the other day, same day I found out my 2010 VW needs a $2200 gearbox repair making it effectively scrap value until it’s fixed!
I’m a part time motoring journalist so I’ve driven a lot of cars, I’d definitely have a BYD for the daily driving.
Just got to find that 30 grand!
Yes, last Thursday evening I cruised through the adverts for BYD cars - then again on the weekend. It was interesting to find all bar a couple in more remote locations had disappeared from the Saturday listings. And now cost has gone up by about $5,000. So the demand is there. But if production requires oil, and shipping requires oil, will the cost go up even more?
yes that is the problem, we don't all have that amount of money lying around these days
Yeah we definitely don’t after five months of me not working.
RNZ went to South Auckland Markets on the weekend to interview people, why don't they go to Takapuna markets? They didn't interview any airport cleaners but one guy works hard and said its all Trumps fault and we need to keep out of it!
Thanks for highlighting that interview Nick , as an EV owner only possible thanks to the Labour Govt and a massive privilege to have I fully agree we should be investing in solar technology as Australia does for its citizens. The upfront cost of installing home solar is massive and beyond the means of so many of us but especially those that would benefit most. I do think though that RUC need to be paid as a fair contribution to our roads maintenance but of course this lot made a right ham fisted job of determining that for electric vehicles. The irony for me of course is that my other ride is a dinosaur fuel diesel camper which also has RUCs!
Dan Nick, thank you so much for including everything that Mike Casey said on QNA yesterday! Mike had better ideas than anybody in politics at the moment – is there any possibility that he could stand at the next election preferably as Prime Minister?
Impressive interview. I have been following Mike Casey for a while now - surely commonsense will prevail soon? We have bought an EV, but can’t afford to solar our home atm unfortunately.
My son in law bought an EV, right at the start of this - a Nissan Leaf. Now, there are no used EVs available in Dunedin. If you want one, you have to buy new.
Mike Casey's electrification push on the demand-side makes sense - convert everything we can do so easily as quickly as possible, then let others find solutions for the really hard problems - I have talked to Mike a few times and my only criticism is that he can be a bit too focussed on home solar as the panacea on the supply side - and Nick, even in your list of options (solar, wind, hydro, or geothermal) you miss out something NZ is particularly good at - growing trees for biomass. We need to diversify away from hydro so solar, wind, new hydro (where sensible), geothermal and biomass generation plant are all good bets.
When I see the thousands of cheap tree logs stacking up at Wellington port (or Napier or any port I go near it seems!) heading for China, I do think we should take a portion of those and convert them to wood chip then electricity and process heat - I haven't run the numbers, but I suspect they would bring more value to NZ by converting them to electricity. And I am sure we have enough biomass to run a couple of decent sized biomass CHP plant here. If we actually "added value" to the logs by processing them here (again!) and using the waste for CHP as we used to do at the Kinleith mill, then it could even be a win-win - more value from the logs and more value from the waste
Plus, like geothermal, biomass generation can be there in the driest of winters when we desperately need it. I am not sure how much biomass generation $1bn of "electricity user levy/tax" could buy, but it would be better than spending it on LNG. At least we know we can supply fuel for it even when the world is going mad, it would create jobs in NZ and keep more of the value of the trees we grow in NZ too. Plus, a lot of hard to decarbonise industries could use biomass for high temperature heat generation (very high temperature heat pumps are coming - EECA is pilotting them).
Often, the thing that kills the economics of biomass plant is the logistical cost of bringing such a low density fuel all to one place - but we do that already when we bring all the logs to the ports. Although it may cost a bit more than solar and wind per kWh generated, as a strategic asset that protects us from dry winters, and adds real value to something we produce in large quantities already, it would make sense for government/electricity users to subsidise that, rather than LNG. Given we plan to subsidise fuels for energy security reasons, why not make it a homegrown source instead?
Thank you for your attention to this matter
🤔 Not up on if this would be practicable, but in some areas of high logging it should be investigated for sure. Also there are some crops that can make actual bio-fuel to run machinery etc - the tech on that has also advanced for conversion either of the fuel itself or the machine accepting it instead of diesel. Hate that Watties & McCains are stopping buying vegetables from local growers, but if we can't stop them closing, perhaps the growers might have land suitable for fuel crops instead of converting to dairying, which destroys clean water all around, and don't our exports travel on ships run on diesel??? Time to get serious on ALL of these things - like Mike Casey said, the little things become big things when combined 💪
Great piece, Nick. This government has been asleep at the wheel on energy issues. Their reaction to the consequences of the worldwide fuel shortage will show their inability to govern in times of crisis. They don't think further than the end of their nose. They have not prepared for any major national or international crisis that may arrive - and here we are.
Government not asleep at the wheel, it is deliberate. The oil companies are big Donor's to this Government. Look at Nicola Willis's farther is for a start.
I would argue (and many have!) that it is not so much asleep at this crisis, as so desperate to avoid looking like a COVID type response they have nailed their colours to the mast AGAINST, that vigorously encouraging work from home & other measures to avoid excess outings is seen as off the table to encourage individuals as a way to conserve fuel
Went to a good community meeting by Rewiring Aotearoa last year. I know my next car will be electric but it doesn't stack, $ and situation wise, for me to change now (even at today's fuel cost).
Nice choice and timing re Bic's song, enjoyed her gig last Friday
https://www.robincapper.net/bic-runga-red-sunset-superb-nzicc-venue-not-so-much/
Good comments Nick,
Cheap loans to householders to install solar. Ignored by this Government because of their big donors of course.
This can be constantly pointed out in our FB comments too as it does show what a corrupt Government we currently have.
Excellent thanks Nick. Mike Casey is an amazing man who managed to succeed with his vision. Well deserved person of the year! This damn COG only centred on pleasing their donors. Have you seen how much they have been given to date?
My wishlist is a battery for my solar panels, then an EV. But I have no money, so….
Mike Casey for PM 💪