DECC completes ministerial line-up with "part-time volunteer"
The Department of Energy and Climate Change has completed its ministerial team, with the appointment of Stafford MP David Kidney as an unpaid junior minister.
Following last week's Cabinet reshuffle, a ministerial reshuffle has seen previous energy minister Mike O'Brien moving on to the Department of Health secretary of state, Ed Miliband, as well as its minister in the Lords, Lord Hunt. The Department's climate change minister, Joan Ruddock, has been promoted to become a full Minister of State.
Owing to the limit on the number of ministerial salaries that can be paid out, Mr Kidney's appointment as parliamentary under secretary of state will not allow him any extra salary on top of his MPs' wage.
Mr Kidney said: "When Gordon Brown rang me with the news there was a sting in the tail. He says there is a limit by law on the number of Ministerial salaries - and he cannot pay me! At least my acceptance shows that I am motivated by the good I can do in this job and not the money."
The precise duties of the relevant ministers are yet to be decided by the Department, but it is currently thought that Lord Hunt will lead the energy brief, possibly assisted by Mr Kidney.
Last year, Lord Hunt was responsible for guiding the Energy Bill and the Climate Change Bill through the House of Lords,while he is currently contending with the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, a measure that will set new rules for developing renewable energy and other projects in UK waters.
Mrs Ruddock's brief is sure to expand to match her new status. But, she is thought likely to keep her climate change brief, which takes on a higher profile with the UN's climate talks in Copenhagen in December and with next year's start for the Carbon Reduction Commitment.
Mrs Ruddock was previously a junior minister, having switched from Defra when DECC was created last October. Speaking in Westminster yesterday, Mrs Ruddock, who is MP for Lewisham and Deptford, said: "I may not cover all my predecessor's brief, because we have not yet decided on portfolios and I have some major responsibilities for climate change. We will decide soon what the mix will be, but I am happy to be here."
A spokesman for DECC said today that it could be a few days before ministerial briefs are announced, with the process slowed because Mr Miliband is away on paternity leave.
Mr Kidney, 54, has been an MP since 1997, when he achieved an election victory against the Conservative leader David Cameron, who was at the time the unsuccessful Tory candidate for the Stafford seat.
During his Parliamentary career, he has already had dealings with environmental policy including time as Parliamentary private secretary to the then-environment minister Elliot Morley, in 2005, and the following year the then-environment secretary David Miliband.
Mr Kidney said his appointment as energy minister was a "proud moment" for him, but that the new role would require a "steep learning curve".
He said of his appointment: "I intend to play my part to the full in pressing ahead with the government's ambitious agenda for cutting emissions of greenhouse gases here in the UK as well as encouraging and helping other nations to do the same. I shall also want to give my personal drive to the government's aims of helping individuals and businesses to save energy and cut their energy costs.
Mr Kidney describes himself as a supporter of Port Vale Football Club, but the new minister has also now pledged to support renewable energy.
He said:"I certainly want to promote further development of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, biomass, tidal and wave as well as the workforce skills that we will need for a much expanded renewable energy sector in the future."
Conservative energy spokesman Charles Hendry raised a note of concern yesterday about an energy minister effectively working as a "volunteer".
Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate, Mr Hendry congratulated Mrs Ruddock on her promotion, but as he wished Mr Kidney well in the new ministerial role, he added: "I understand that he will be unpaid and am slightly concerned about having someone holding such an important position as a part-time volunteer.
"Nevertheless, we congratulate him on his promotion to minister," added the Tory MP for Wealden.
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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.
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Micro-generation forms key part of Government's vision.
Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker, has launched a consultation on the Government's strategy to boost energy self-sufficiency in communities.
The public debate about microgeneration will look at ways to ensure the quality of generating technology and its installation, how to improve available products, and how to develop the microgeneration supply chain while providing more accessible advice.
The consultation follows last week's news that the Government is to overturn a ban on councils selling "green" electricity back to the national grid by the end of the year.
Mr Barker said“I want to see more homes, communities and businesses generating their own energy. We can literally bring power back to the people.Microgeneration is a key part of this vision.
“By becoming more self sufficient we can create sustainable local energy economies. People and communities can save money on their fuel bills at the same time as generating an income and cutting carbon. I want to work with industry to overcome the challenges it is facing. Together we will create a marketplace for jobs and prosperity alongside products and advice which people trust.”
More information can be found on the Microgeneration Strategy consultation web page
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Green policies could hit UK manufacturing hardest.
A report from the think-tank Civitas warns that the increasing cost of energy, which has been driven up as a result of green policies could hit the UK's manufacturing sector - just as the country needs industry to help boost the economy.
The report said efforts to tackle climate change through cutting greenhouse gas emissions and increasing renewable energy generation could significantly push up energy bills for business.Extra costs are put on energy from policies including the EU's emission trading scheme, the renewables obligation to boost investment in technology such as wind power, and the climate change levy which taxes energy use in businesses and the public sector. Also, the Labour Government's climate change strategy had already added an extra 14% on homeowners' electricity bills and 21% on business bills.
Last year's renewable energy strategy could have created "surcharges" of up to 70% for businesses, and 33% for domestic customers by 2020, the report from Civitas claimed. The study warns the new coalition Government's energy policy could be as damaging to manufacturing industry as the previous administration.
The review by economist Ruth Lea and Jeremy Nicholson, director of lobbyists the Energy Intensive Users Group, said the UK was badly placed to meet its commitments to boost renewables as it was starting from such a low base. Even without the extra costs imposed to pay for climate change policies, Britain has high industrial electricity prices, which threaten its competitiveness.
Ms Lea said: "The economy desperately needs a competitive and thriving manufacturing sector if it is to prosper. Competitive energy prices are vital to the success of manufacturers, especially energy intensive users.Government energy policies are, however, remorselessly driving up energy costs thus risking the 'migration' of manufacturing plants to economies where the costs are lower."
