and Don Elder and Gerry Brownlee's other greenhouse mafia buddies are trying it on in Hellensville:

Opposition voiced to Rodney power station
A large number of submissions to a Rodney power station proposal are expected by the time submissions close at 4pm on Friday.

Genesis Energy is seeking a private plan change for a site on State Highway 16 about three kilometres south of Kaukapakapa to allow a 480 megawatt gas-fired station proposal to proceed.

The plan change request is before the Rodney District Council, while 15 resource consent applications are being considered by the Auckland Regional Council.

A number of people attended a submission writing workshop in Kaukapakapa on
Saturday.

"We had the hall booked for two hours," says Kaukapakapa Residents and Ratepayers Association committee member Pip McAlwee. "But people were still writing furiously an hour after we were supposed to leave."

Greenpeace representatives attended to show their support and help with questions.

"We are aware that many Rodney residents are extremely concerned about the environmental impacts of the proposed gas-fired power station," says Greenpeace climate campaigner Simon Boxer.

"Greenpeace supports the vital campaign work local residents are undertaking to oppose this climate polluting plant," he says.

"The Rodney power station is a real test of the Government’s commitment to tackling climate change."

Six of the resource consents applied for directly affect the Kaukapakapa River, an inland water protection zone area, says Mrs McAlwee.

Of particular concern to residents is Genesis Energy’s proposal to take 2400 cubic metres of river water, and discharge 1900 cubic metres of power plant wastewater back into the river daily.

Locals opposing the proposal have had messages of support from individuals and environmental groups throughout New Zealand.

"Many were amazed when told that the power station was still going ahead" says Mrs McAlwee.

"The government imposed a 10-year moratorium on new baseload thermal plants in October, and advised state-owned generators in a letter that the government ‘doesn’t expect new thermal capacity to be either economic or necessary to ensure security of supply’."

Genesis Energy has retained the original baseload configuration for the thermal plant. It maintains the power station is essential for security of the power supply north of Auckland.