The stupidity of the gas ban

The Herald reports:

Critics of the policy change say the Government has misunderstood the importance of gas as an industrial fuel and for dry-year generation in New Zealand’s increasingly renewable generation system. The International Energy Agency also forecasts global demand for gas will rise by 45 per cent by 2040 as nations use more of it to replace coal and reduce emissions from power generation, steel-making and petrochemicals production.

Yep global demand for gas is going to go up 45%, and we’re closing up shop. It has lower emissions than coal so the net impact of our ban will be increased greenhouse gas emissions, and lower economic growth.