England & Scotland in Nuclear War
An arguement has broken out between the UK and Scottish governments over the future of nuclear power in Great Britain.
Ed Miliband, secretary for the department of energy and climate change (DECC), slammed the Scottish government’s opposition to new nuclear power stations.
Miliband said he believed the Scottish government’s stance on nuclear power, such as the decision not to renew the Hunterson B site (above), was wrong.
Miliband told Radio Scotland: “I think that’s a shame for Scotland in industrial terms and I don’t think it’s the right decision for the United Kingdom in energy terms, but it does remain a decision for Scotland. “
Alex Salmond said that Ed Miliband was effectively launching a verbal “nuclear strike” on Scotland, and argued that to build new nuclear power stations would redirect much needed investment away from research into renewable technologies and carbon capture.
The Scottish first minister has gone on record before stating his abhorrence to nuclear power. The SNP leader has said that the Scottish government should invest its time and money closer to home rather than importing technology from abroad.
The first minister cited marine power and offshore wind farms as areas where Scotland had a natural advantage, and said he would rather draw from Scottish resources. Salmond also argued that the jobs created by nuclear power were decades away, whereas potential jobs in the renewables industry were in the pipeline now.
Last year a report by the Scottish Council Development and Industry (SCDI) warned that five times the level of investment in wind farms was the only way Scotland could meet it target of generating 50% electricity from renewable sources by 2020. Iain Duff, SCDI chief economist, said the report showed Scotland could only hit target with "unprecedented" levels of financial support.
The row comes in a week which saw DECC unveil eleven potential sites for nuclear power stations across England and Wales. Scotland’s two power-generating nuclear power stations are due to close. Hunterson B is scheduled for decommissioning in 2016, Torness expected in 2023.
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British are "bored" with Climate Change
A new energy report suggests that British people are less environmentally conscious than they were five years ago.
4 out of 10 britons take no action at all to reduce their household carbon emissions, and twice as many people are now "bored" by talk of climate change as in 2005. Experts warn that green fatigue is one of the major reasons as to why there are more cars on the roads, more planes in the sky and no reductions in the mountain of packaging waste. The report reveals that too few people are making an effort to reduce their household CO2 emissions and environmentalists believe the recession is further undermining public commitment.
The report, by market researchers Mintel, shows that many of Britain's 26 million homes fail to make simple adjustments such as switching off lights, turning down thermostats, and switching off appliances rather than leaving them on standby. The findings also reveal that people are less willing to spend money on energy-efficient appliances than they were five years ago. Analysts believe the recession together with a backlash against "extreme" environmentalist pressure has reduced people's enthusiasm to combat climate change.
The report also found that resistance to saving the planet was greater among men; one in four said they think there is too much concern over the environment, compared with one in six women.
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More information on the 2016 definition of "Zero Carbon".
Housing Minister, Grant Shapps announced additional information about the new definition of "Zero Carbon".
The Government plans to investigate setting up a community energy fund which will be used to pay for district heating and renewable energy schemes.
Developers who pay into the fund will not have to install onsite renewables or microgeneration equipment. Many developers have welcomed the flexibility of paying into a fund rather than grappling with renewables on each site.
However, the full definition of 'zero-carbon' has once again been delayed. This is despite a pre-election promise to get the definition of zero carbon finalised “within weeks” of getting into office.
The new Government Housing Minister has recently announced that the coalition will review the level of on-site renewables required - before publishing the final definition of the standard, which all new homes will have to reach after 2016.
In the announcement, the Minister also re-affirmed his commitment to all new homes being zero-carbon from 2016 and confirmed the introduction of the ‘Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard' which requires a minimum standard in relation to insulation levels and air tightness and thermal bridging in buildings.
Zero carbon is required of all Code for Sustainable Homes level six homes. Clarification of what zero carbon will mean is still to be decided.
If you require assistance with your Code for Sustainable Homes level requirements, contact Ecowise - we are a fully accredited Code for Sustainable Homes assessment organisation.
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Pilot Tidal Energy Scheme for North Wales Coast
Conwy County Borough Council has backed plans for a pilot tidal energy scheme off the North Wales Coast.
The £150 million scheme at Llanddulas in North Wales would provide a testing facility for turbine designers and manufacturers, and assess the environmental impact of turbines.
The project was given approval by the council as part of a strategic regeneration strategy for the Conwy coast, prepared by consultant Capita Symonds.
Paul Terry, Capita Symonds, said: "Tidal power will play a key role in providing a sustainable energy source for future generations. The North Wales coast is an ideal place for such a scheme as it’s blessed with a good tidal range and suitable ocean depth." He added that the project could also help protect the coast from rising sea levels, storm surges and coastal erosion.
The regeneration strategy also calls for seven new visitor centres costing £30m should be built at key locations stretching from Conwy to Rhuddlan. But North Wales Tourism chairman Chris Jackson raised doubts over whether the proposals could realistically be funded in the current economic climate. The council’s approval now means that Capita Symonds will seek funding for feasibility studies and investigations to develop a business case for the scheme.
