Responding to the publication of the Energy Bill, Greenpeace Political Director Joss Garman:
“There is a gaping hole in the Energy Bill in the shape of a 2030 decarbonisation target. Billions of pounds of investment rest on this target being made law. Without it, there is serious risk of an investment vacuum after 2020, and of jobs and money being lost to our economic rivals.
“The good news is, Conservative chair of the Energy Committee Tim Yeo looks set to fight for an amendment to the Bill that would offer low-carbon investors certainty through to 2030. Greenpeace will be working closely with MPs across all parties to push for the amendment.”
Re. back-door subsidies for gas & nuclear
Gas: Greenpeace Energy Campaigner Leila Deen said:
"A 'capacity payment' is provided for in the Bill which could see hard pressed families paying for new gas stations that we don't need. This is effectively a hand-out and could fire the starting gun on a new wave of gas plants. Consumers are already paying through the nose for gas – between March 2011 and March 2012 Ofgem figures (1) show the changing gas price pushed up bills by £100 and experts warn the only way for the price of gas is up (2). The cheapest energy tariff will still be expensive as long as we remain reliant on imported gas."
Nuclear: Greenpeace Nuclear Campaigner Richard George said:
"The Coalition Agreement pledged not to subsidise new nuclear reactors. Yet the Energy Bill offers massive public subsidies to anyone willing to build new nuclear reactors. Such overt public subsidy may breach European Law and would force cash-strapped households and businesses to pick up the tab for this expensive and risky technology. Greenpeace's QC will be looking closely to see if the Government has broken the rules and put clean, safe renewable energy at an unfair disadvantage."
Re. Energy Efficiency
Joss Garman said:
“While it’s good thing that Ed Davey has recognised the importance of energy saving in bringing bills under control, there are no actual proposals in the Bill – what they’ve announced is merely a belated consultation with a long way to go before delivery.”
ENDS
For more information contact the Greenpeace press office on: 02072266414
- http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Markets/RetMkts/rmr/smr/Documents1/SMR%20update%2028-03-12.pdf
- http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/opinion/2208276/john-cridland-what-role-for-gas-speech-in-full - “even if you forgot about carbon momentarily, look at European gas price projections. They all disagree on the number, but they all agree on the direction: up!”
