Geothermal Energy Rulz

Abstract

What, no rules? Of course! Wairakeiwas developed at a time when there was little or no environmental legislation. There were no rules directing how this source of energy was to be utilised. In fact legislation was passed to enable the developmentof geothermal energy at Wairakei.

Rules Abound? New Zealandís environmental legislation evolved after the geothermal development at Wairakei had in the late 1950ís. These laws were enacted in to a variety of issues facing the nation. More recently and no doubt increasingly so in the future, international concerns will exercise the minds of our parliamentary law makers. One thing is certain, new issues will continue to appear, change will continue and the geothermal industry will need to face new challenges to continue the utilisation of Geothermal Energy as changes are progressively made to legislation.