Decommissioning
Directors of nuclear power plant operators will face indefinite jail terms if they fail to keep up-to-date records of their clean-up programmes. The threat is buried in last week’s consultation paper on the establishment of funds to cover decommissioning costs in the Government new-build plan. The document states that where a person in breach of stated programme regulations does not comply with a Government “direction”, the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform can apply to the High Court.
Independent on Sunday 24th Feb 2008 more >>
Renewables
Plans to cut climate pollution by boosting the use of renewable energy in new building developments are being thwarted because most local authorities are failing to follow government planning guidelines. A survey has revealed that 60% of Scottish councils have no policy to encourage solar, wind and other clean technologies in new homes and offices – despite being asked a year ago by ministers to introduce one. This could mean that major flagship developments in the pipeline could be deprived of vital energy-saving measures. They include the Commonwealth games village in Glasgow, as well as new towns planned
for Ravenscraig and near Inverness.
Sunday Herald, 24th February 2008 more >>
With map.
robedwards.com 24th Feb 2008 more >>
Almost everyone involved in the “poisonous guddle” that is Scotland’s renewable energy policy has come under blistering attack from a leading Scottish Nationalist, who is calling on the government to draw up a new national energy plan. Alyn Smith MEP, the SNP’s spokesman on Europe, has launched a fierce assault on developers, environmental groups, government agencies and politicians for the way they have dealt with wind farm applications. As a result, he warned, Scotland is at risk of losing the “glittering prize” of becoming Europe’s green powerhouse. He put the blame for the mess firmly on the previous Labour and LibDem government. “We inherited a poisonous guddle that puts an intolerable strain on a planning system not designed to cope with it, and leaves nobody satisfied and everybody angry,” he said.
Sunday Herald, 24th February 2008 more >>
robedwards.com 24th Feb 2008 more >>
Almost two years ago, cranes loaded three red ‘Pelamis’ wave machines – named after a species of sea snake – on to container ships in the Orkneys. Their destination: the coast of Portugal. Nothing could be more symbolic of how the UK has fallen behind in the race to embrace renewable energy.
Observer 24th Feb 2008 more >>
A record number of wind farm projects were refused planning permission in Britain last year, according to new figures seen by The Observer. The average amount of time taken to decide whether to approve a project – 24 months – is also at a record high. The figures will be published by the British Wind Energy Association later this month.
Observer 24th Feb 2008 more >>
Money is pouring into the clean energy sector, which includes renewable forms of electricity generation such as wind, biomass and solar as well as companies involved in energy efficiency and waste treatment. According to research firm New Energy Finance, investment in the sector increased globally by 41 per cent last year to $117bn (£59bn), just over half of which went on new projects.
Observer 24th Feb 2008 more >>
Fuel Poverty
Friends of the Earth has told the government to come up with a plan to tackle fuel poverty by Friday or face a judicial review. It has also emerged that the government has proposed cutting the funding for the UK’s only fuel poverty charity by a quarter. Yet it is estimated more than 4.5 million households now fall into this category, the highest since Labour has been in power. The number of households affected keeps rising each time suppliers raise utility bills. The government committed itself to the legally binding target of eradicating fuel poverty among vulnerable households in England by 2010, and across the UK entirely by 2018.Last week, lawyers for Friends of the Earth wrote to the secretaries of state for the departments responsible – John Hutton and Hilary Benn – urging them to come up with a concrete plan to meet the target. If the ministers refuse to reply, or do not come up with a convincing policy by the end of the week, the campaign group will start legal proceedings to secure a judicial review to force the government into action.
Observer 24th Feb 2008 more >>
Energy Efficiency
Every new building put up in Britain will have to be zero carbon, emitting none of the pollution that is the main cause of global warming, the Government will announce this week. Caroline Flint, the new housing minister, will commit herself on Wednesday to setting an “ambitious target” for eliminating carbon dioxide emissions from “non-domestic” buildings, ranging from schools to supermarkets, health centres to hotels, and from libraries to light manufacturing industry. Taken with a year-old government commitment to make all new housing zero carbon by 2016 – the most exacting target anywhere in the world – the move will set Britain on the road to a new energy age, with conservation measures and renewable sources replacing the wasteful burning of fossil fuels. She will announce “a full consultation” on what the target date should be, expected to begin in April, insisting that “tackling climate change will be one of my central priorities as housing minister”.
Independent on Sunday 24th Feb 2008 more >>
A growing number of politicians are embracing the eco-home movement, using their houses to bolster their green credentials.
Independent on Sunday 24th Feb 2008 more >>
This week Scottish MSPs will hear plans from Hamilton-based property developer Banks Developments, who want to undertake a major regeneration project where 5000 new eco-homes will be built. The proposed carbon neutral community will include 1250 designated affordable homes, new schools, transport links, public parks and a cemetery.
Sunday Herald 24th Feb 2008 more >>
Iran
World powers can pass U.N. sanctions resolutions for 100 years without deterring Iran from its nuclear ambitions, Iran’s president said on Saturday.
Reuters 23rd Feb 2008 more >>
