The announcement by Genesis Energy that it will close its last two coal-burning electricity generators at Huntly Power Station serves to further expose the Key Government’s inability to act on climate change.

The electricity companies conducting a behind-the-scenes fight to keep New Zealand’s last coal-fired power plant at Huntly alive are an “absolute disgrace”, says Greenpeace executive director Russel Norman.

This morning Russel Norman, Greenpeace’s executive director, has demanded that ‘Genesis Energy must close Huntly’s coal-fired generators by 2018.’

In a move that has stunned environmentalists, Genesis Energy has announced a plan to keep burning coal for power generation until 2030.

Greenpeace have welcomed Fonterra’s pledge to substantially reduce climate emissions from agriculture, but say there is a “gaping hole” in the plan.