The pipes are staying - now let's fill them with something better

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First published in The Post, 14 March 2026

Opinion: By Alzbeta Bouskova-Houghton, Convenor of Gaseous Biofuels, Bioenergy Association

Why the difference matters between LNG and biomethane 

The New Zealand government has sent an unambiguous signal: the gas network is here to stay.  The $1 billion commitment to build an LNG import terminal at Port Taranaki is a hedge against dry-year electricity shortfalls, a backstop for industry, a statement of energy security.  But above all, it’s a declaration that the pipes running beneath our cities and farms have a long-term future.  

If the pipes are staying, let’s fill them with home­grown, nation-building solutions that cut emissions, create regional jobs, and strengthen export competitive­ness, starting with biomethane.  More here