Interesting links, articles, news and blog posts sent out to members on 09/12/22.
News: UK and US announce new energy partnership – Energy-pedia
7 December 2022. PM and President Biden create a new high-level bilateral group to focus on energy security, efficiency and affordability:
Link: https://www.energy-pedia.com/news/united-kingdom/uk-and-us-announce-new-energy-partnership-189838
News: First UK coal mine in decades approved despite climate concerns – BBC News Online
7 December 2022, Christina McSorley, Joshua Nevett & Justin Rowlatt. Michael Gove has approved the first new UK coal mine in 30 years despite concern about its climate impacts among Conservative MPs and experts:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63892381
News: It’s official: France bans short haul domestic flights in favour of train travel – Euronews
5 December 2022, Lottie Limb. France has been given the green light to ban short haul domestic flights. The European Commission has approved the move which will abolish flights between cities that are linked by a train journey of less than 2.5 hours:
News: Onshore wind rules to be relaxed after Tory revolt – BBC News Online
7 December 2022. The government has pledged to relax restrictions on building onshore wind farms in England after a threatened rebellion from Conservative MPs:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63880999
News: Half a million vulnerable households miss out on help with energy bills – Guardian Online
2 December 2022, Jasper Jolly and Alex Lawson. Labour says ministers have been told repeatedly that people with prepayment meters are not getting enough support:
News: UK nearly doubles coal imports to keep the lights on – Energy Live News
30 November 2022, Dimitris Mavrokefalidis. More than 560,000 tonnes of coal arrived at British ports last month, according to a report:
Link: https://www.energylivenews.com/2022/11/30/uk-nearly-doubles-coal-imports-to-keep-the-lights-on/
Press release: Ofgem confirms local electricity networks price control for 2023 to 2028 – Ofgem
30 November 2022. Ofgem has confirmed a five-year investment package for the electricity distribution network companies to help deliver cheaper, cleaner, more reliable local grids at no extra cost to consumers:
News: Climate change: Wasted methane gas ‘a scandal’ – BBC News Online
30 November 2022, Jonah Fisher. The UK government is allowing the fossil fuel industry to waste large amounts of gas, according to a leading environmental think-tank:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63744757
News: Calls for UK ban on pre-payment meter installations made under court warrants – Guardian Online
29 November 2022, Miles Brignall. End Fuel Poverty Coalition fears energy suppliers are using warrants to disconnect poorest ‘by the back door’:
News: British long-duration energy storage innovations get £32.9m funding boost from BEIS – Edie.net
28 November 2022, Sarah George. The UK Government has announced five innovative long-duration energy storage projects to receive a share of a funding pot of almost £33m, including pumped hydro and thermal storage solutions:
Explainer: How many more wind turbines will the UK build? – BBC News Online
29 November 2022. The government says it wants to generate enough wind energy to be able to power every home in the UK by 2030:
Open consultation: Design of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO): 2023-2026 – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
28 November 2022. Views sought on proposals for the Energy Company Obligation Plus (ECO+) scheme to deliver energy efficiency measures in homes across Great Britain from 2023-2026. This consultation closes at 11:45pm on 23 December 2022:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/design-of-the-energy-company-obligation-eco-2023-2026
Press release: Government joins with households to help millions reduce their energy bills – Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, HM Treasury, The Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, and The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP
28 November 2022. New measures set to help hundreds of thousands better insulate their homes and reduce consumption while saving families hundreds of pounds each year:
News: Energy sector reforms criticised by British Gas owner – BBC News Online
25 November 2022, Kevin Peachey. Energy regulator Ofgem has announced plans to make the sector more resilient to market shocks, but has been heavily criticised by British Gas:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63756303
News: Liz Truss and Boris Johnson join Tory wind farm rebellion – BBC News Online
24 November 2022. Boris Johnson and Liz Truss are backing an attempt to overturn England’s effective ban on onshore wind farms, a Conservative MP has said:
Link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-63750925
Press release: Ofgem launches new proposals to strengthen energy market and protect consumers – Ofgem
25 November 2022. Ofgem is today launching a new package of reforms designed to bolster consumer protection and ensure energy suppliers are more resilient to market shocks:
News: Feeling the chill: Hospitality bosses fear energy firms are profiteering in a crisis – City AM
24 November 2022, Emily Hawkins and Nicholas Earl. Pub and restaurant bosses have accused suppliers of “deliberately profiteering” of the energy crisis, with huge hikes to other costs despite government support:
Link: https://www.cityam.com/hospitality-bosses-fear-energy-firms-are-profiteering-in-a-crisis/
News: An investigation has been launched into an oil and gas company for flaring and venting in the North Sea without consent – North Sea Transition Authority
23 November 2022. Probe launched amid ongoing flaring and venting crackdown: