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Principle of energy: “When a symbol use works to deny change it will materially alter the potential of the universe (energy) in a way that results in a reduction in the capacity of the symbol user to mirror reality. When a symbol use works for the acceptance of change it will increase the capacity of the symbol user to mirror reality.”

Denials of change:

(1) The NZ Consumers Institute website defines both power and energy as Bulk-generated electricity. This page alone contains 15 examples of redefinition. This confusion of energy/power with their forms denies the transformation basis of the Principle of the Conservation of Energy.

(2) The website denies that energy and power are conserved by suggesting humans can save power and energy.

General note: There was insufficient time to elaborate fully on the following to the Minister of Energy.

The NZ Consumers Institute places zero value on environmental and social factors. The only consideration is the retail cost of the product. It thus directly penalises companies that invest in low risk generation e.g. low carbon operations and non-nuclear plant. It also penalises companies that invest according to sustainable principles e.g. that invest in insulation, smart technology etc for their customers to reduce demand for Bulk-gen electricity. In other words, the Consumers Institute is concerned only with the promotion and sale of Bulk-gen electricity, not the impacts of its use.

The website also works directly for the bankers of the Bulk-gen electricity sector and is fundamentally hostile to alternative uses of electricity such as dwelling scale generation. It does this by (1) defining power and energy as Bulk-gen electricity and (2) by promoting the lie that New Zealand citizens have choices. The reality is that the Electricity Reforms of the 1990s disenfranchised people and removed their right to own and trade on their local grid. They no longer have the choice of participating in the Electricity Market in an intelligent way. For instance, they can only sell electricity onto the grid via a Bulk-gen electricity company on that company's terms. Naturally these are hostile to competition for small generators such as dwelling-based solar and wind plant.

Note of explanation: Contrary to the Consumer's Institute's claims that it is an independent company which does not accept money or sponsorship, the Institute receives large funds to maintain this site. Effectively it is a front for the small group of people that benefit from the Electricity Reforms.

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Click on illustration to visit NZ Consumers Institute

The following illustration is from the New Zealand Government's Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and shows how its contents are framed to serve the interests of large corporations.

There was not sufficient time to explain its fuller implications to the Minister.

The institution is in profound denial of the Principles of energy, beginning with its title which states that humans can conserve energy. This flawed vision is reflected in its general culture and EECA defines, for instance,  energy efficiency as using less energy. This confuses energy with the forms it takes. The reality of the Principles of Energy is that it does not matter how much energy we use but rather that we use energy forms in such a way that sustaining balances are maintained.

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