January 18, 2018
EPA ignores wide picture in Taranaki oil consent
Climate Justice Taranaki says the Environmental Protection Authority is failing in its task of protecting the environment and marine species.
The authority has granted Shell consents to 2050 for the use of a jack-up rig and discharge of harmful contaminants off the Taranaki coast.
Climate Justice researcher Catherine Cheung says the authority is failing to assess the cumulative effects from the proposed and existing activities.
“The way applications are assessed in isolation, with no regards to the total harm and consequence on the environment and marine species, is ludicrous. You can't keep adding stress to the system and expect it to be fine,” she says.
“Drilling for more fossil fuels is the last thing this or future generations need. Future generations will look back at this time in disbelief as to why we keep putting the future environmental stability of this planet at risk for short-term monetary gain.”
Taranaki iwi have been vocal in their opposition to continued drilling.
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