A National government would overturn the ban on new base-load thermal power stations, National leader John Key confirmed today.
Mr Key said while New Zealand should still develop renewable resources the lesson from this winter was that thermal electricity stations were essential for keeping the lights on.
An incoming National Government would move immediately to reform the Resource Management Act as the legislation was currently the key barrier to new generation.
The amendments would include "priority consenting", removing the ministerial veto and stopping frivolous objections.
Mr Key said National saw a future for gas generation, but said his party's emissions trading scheme would result in no new coal stations being built unless new technology reduced pollution.
