On the heels of the controversial Anadarko Amendment (criminalizing aspects of protesting at sea), the New Zealand government has proposed a law change to the Marine Legislation Bill, currently before Parliament. If passed, the public's right to oppose deep-sea oil and gas exploration will be removed. Applications by oil giants would go through the Environmental Protection Agency as "non-notified", "...which means members of the public would not get to have a say."
From Greenpeace New Zealand:
"Anadarko - the same one that was directly involved in the worst oceanic oil spill in history - has just announced where it plans to start deep sea drilling in New Zealand this summer."
"...high-risk exploratory drilling off the west coast of the north island near Raglan’s world class surf break, and in the rough waters not far from the Otago Coast and the world’s only mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatross."
URGENT ACTION NEEDED: These two locations are also in close proximity to "our" Maui's & Hector's Dolphins' habitat!! Please make your submission through the Greenpeace NZ site or through reference at bottom of this page, and post widely!
"Exploratory drilling is the riskiest phase of oil production, and can lead to horrendous accidents."
"...more than a third of blowouts take place during exploratory drilling."
"The Deepwater Horizon disaster took place during drilling a deep exploratory well, killing 11 crewmen and sending millions of barrels of oil gushing into the sea for 87 days."
Green Party energy spokesman Gareth Hughes said the Government is shutting out the public.: "Deep sea drilling should be a prohibited activity given that, if there is a leak from a deep sea oil rig, the consequence for New Zealand's environment, economy and reputation would be catastrophic. But if the Government is going to recklessly allow it to happen, then at the very least, the public should have a say on each and every proposal," he said.
The current NZ government has been opening the floodgates to oil companies whilst creating obstacles for defenders to demonstrate opposition to crimes against the environment!
READ MORE & pass this along too:
https://www.lets-face-it-dolphins.com/news-blog...
"Every Kiwi (New Zealander) should see this, John Wathen's eyewitness account of the Gulf of Mexico"
Devastating Offshore Oil Threat to NZ waters and ALL marine life, including the Maui's & Hector's Dolphins!!!
For further information on the Marine Legislation Bill:
To send in your own submission via e-mail:
Additional reference links:
Anadarko Petroleum Corporation and BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster in the Gulf of Mexico
"Anadarko Petroleum Corp., a partner in the BP Plc well that blew up in 2010 and triggered the largest U.S. offshore oil spill, must face a lawsuit claiming it misled investors, a judge said."
"...sufficient reason to sue over a statement by an Anadarko senior vice president, Robert Daniels, after the spill that the company had no involvement in design or procedures at BP’s Macondo well."
February 24 2012
Originally, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation owned 25% stake but in October 2011 this was transferred to BP as a part of a wider settlement between the companies.
