A potential insurance policy for those who can't move away from gas for energy, as the Government charges ahead with its plans for an importing facility. 

The terminal will be housed in Taranaki - with the Government aiming to have a build contract locked down mid-year.

It's imposing a levy to help pay for an import liquefied natural gas facility, which it says will save households $50 a year on power bills.

Mercury Chief Executive Stew Hamilton says New Zealand is running out of gas, faster than expected.

"We need to encourage consumers and households to get off gas, but not all forms of businesses, for example, can get off gas. So we need to come up with other forms of energy for them." 

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