Amber Rudd’s draft energy policies scrutinised

The Energy and Climate Change Committee is conducting pre-legislative scrutiny of the government’s draft legislation on energy. The document sets out the proposals, which Energy Secretary Amber Rudd claims would increase competition and help consumers get a good deal by keeping prices down and ensuring they are protected. They would also enable the government to […]

Tim Yeo steps down temporarily after sleaze claims

Conservative MP Tim Yeo is temporarily resigning as chair of Parliament’s energy committee following allegations he was willing to take cash in exchange for his influence in government. In a sting by two undercover reporters from The Sunday Times posing as employees of a solar firm, it is claimed Yeo said he could use his […]

UK must take note of Energy Select Committee’s proposals

The UK Government should take note of the “clarion call” from the Energy Select Committee to stop its dash for gas and set a decarbonisation target for the power sector. The comment from RenewableUK follows Tim Yeo, the Chair of the Committee, warning the UK could be left behind if the Government doesn’t set the […]

Tim Yeo: Wrong decisions made on energy policy

The Chair of the Energy Select Committee is pushing for an amendment to the Government’s Energy Bill for a decarbonisation target on power generation. Speaking at an event in London today, the Conservative MP (pictured) said “wrong decisions” have been made on energy policy in the UK. The news comes after the Government failed to […]

Environmental hurdles for third runway are “disappearing”

Environmental objections to a third runway at Heathrow airport are “disappearing”, the chair of the energy and climate change committee said today. Senior Tory MP Tim Yeo claimed the inclusion of airlines under the EU emissions trading scheme means Heathrow could be expanded without damaging the environment. Writing in the Daily Telegraph, the MP said: […]

MPs to look at shale gas impact on energy market

MPs on Parliament’s energy watchdog are launching an inquiry into the impact of shale gas on the energy UK market.­ The energy select committee wants to find out whether shale gas could push down the price of conventional gas, as well as why estimates of the UK’s shale gas resources are so “changeable”. This follows […]

Treasury under fire for avoiding Energy Bill questions

The Treasury has come under fire from MPs for apparently trying to avoid facing some “very important questions” about the draft Energy Bill. While Energy Secretary Ed Davey and his minister Charles Hendry appeared before the Parliamentary watchdog yesterday, as part of the bill’s pre-legislative scrutiny, Economic Secretary Chloe Smith did not. When challenged about […]

Reporter’s Blog: How dare we lecture China on emissions?

We sophisticated, tech-savvy Brits like to pride ourselves on having the latest flashy gadgets and gizmos. The latest iPhone? Check. Shiny, hulking jeep? Check. Brand new flat screen telly? Check! Where do we buy them? The local Carphone Warehouse, car dealer, Argos – all on British high streets. But where are these desirable ‘must-haves’ made? And how […]

MPs: UK effectively ‘outsourcing’ its emissions

The UK is effectively outsourcing its emissions, MPs warned today in a report which demands the Government be more “straightforward” about the impact of the UK on climate change. MPs on the energy select committee claim the UK isn’t doing as well at cutting emissions as Government statistics suggest. They make a distinction between ‘territorial’ […]

Labour MP says Davey is wrong on gas standard

Labour MP Alan Whitehead has slammed Ed Davey’s plans for gas power stations saying they’ll make a mockery of climate change targets. Mr Whitehead, who sits on the Energy Select Committee said the Energy Secretary was wrong to set the gas Emissions Performance Standard at a level of 450g/kWh, as he believes this will do […]