A few months ago, the Government said New Zealanders could end up helping fund a new LNG import terminal through their power bills. Now it's changed its mind. 

As of today, the customer levy is gone, but the plan to import liquefied natural gas as a backup for dry years is still very much alive. 

So why the backdown and who ultimately will end up paying?  

And with LNG now being described as the fastest and most flexible option available by 2028, is this the best solution for New Zealand's dry-year problem, or just the quickest one on the table? 

Today we're joined by New Zealand Herald senior correspondent Katie Bradford to discuss the politics, economics and energy security questions behind one of the Government's biggest infrastructure bets. 

Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.

Editor/Producer: Richard Martin
Producer: Jane Yee

 

A few months ago, the Government said New Zealanders could end up helping fund a new LNG import terminal through their power bills. Now&nbsp;it's&nbsp;changed its mind.&nbsp;
As of today, the customer&nbsp;levy is gone, but the plan to import liquefied natural gas as a backup for dry years is&nbsp;still&nbsp;very much alive.&nbsp;
So why the backdown&nbsp;and who&nbsp;ultimately will&nbsp;end&nbsp;up paying?&nbsp;&nbsp;
And with LNG now being described as the fastest and most flexible&nbsp;option&nbsp;available by 2028, is this the best solution for New Zealand's dry-year problem, or just the quickest one on the table?&nbsp;
Today&nbsp;we're&nbsp;joined by&nbsp;New Zealand Herald senior correspondent&nbsp;Katie Bradford to&nbsp;discuss&nbsp;the politics,&nbsp;economics&nbsp;and energy security questions behind one of the Government's biggest infrastructure bets.&nbsp;
Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network.
Editor/Producer: Richard Martin Producer: Jane Yee
&nbsp;

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.

Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. 

Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future.
Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture.&nbsp;
Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Every day, The Front Page takes you behind the scenes of the biggest story from the New Zealand Herald. Hosted by Damien Venuto

The Front Page

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald’s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what’s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Go beyond the headlines with The Front Page, the New Zealand Herald&rsquo;s daily news analysis podcast. Each weekday Chelsea Daniels unpacks the stories shaping Aotearoa, from what&rsquo;s happening in our own backyard to global events shaping our future. Every episode we speak to leaders, experts, reporters, and those living the story, so you get the full picture. Subscribe now so you never miss an episode.

Why the Government dropped its power bill levy

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