Press release

Coalition leaders meet for energy policy crisis talks

17 October 2012

Ahead of today's meeting between David Cameron, Nick Clegg, George Osborne, Danny Alexander and Ed Davey, Friends of the Earth Executive Director Andy Atkins said:

"It's crunch time for UK energy - senior politicians, businesses, and charities all agree that David Cameron must stop George Obsorne's costly and polluting dash for gas when it's gas prices that have been driving up our energy bills. 

"The Prime Minister must ensure a target goes into the Energy Bill to green our electricity by 2030 - without it, renewable energy companies won't invest in the UK and we'll lose business opportunities overseas.

"Green business accounted for a third of growth last year and it accounts for almost a million jobs already - the Government must act now to make clean British energy the powerhouse of our economy."

Notes to editors

*** A Joint NGO statement on the Energy Bill 2012: http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/briefings/energy_jointngo_policy.pdf ***

1. A powerful alliance of the UK's largest businesses and industry bodies wrote last week (Monday 8 October) to the Chancellor stating that a 2030 decarbonisation target for the power sector is essential for stimulating new growth in the economy. In an open letter to the Chancellor on the day of his speech to the Conservative Party Conference, signatories warn that recent statements calling for unabated gas in the power sector post 2030 are damaging business confidence in the low carbon economy and undermining major investments capable of delivering growth. A power sector carbon target - set down in legislation - would provide investors with long-term clarity and certainty, and ensure the UK stays within its carbon budgets. For a copy of the letter contact Friends of the Earth press office - 020 7566 1649.
2. Last week (Monday 8 October) seven major power companies including Alstom, Areva, Doosan, Gamesa, Mitsubishi, Siemens and Vestas have written to Energy Secretary Ed Davey calling for a binding target for power sector decarbonisation - despite building gas power stations themselves.
3. Friends of the Earth's Clean British Energy campaign, backed by Deborah Meaden, is urging the Government to listen to the public and transform our broken energy system by developing clean and affordable power from our wind, sun and water. For too long the Big Six energy companies have locked Britain into importing costly gas and coal - causing our fuel bills to rocket. Now 85 per cent of people want the Government to back UK renewable power instead. This, and cutting energy waste, will stabilise fuel bills and create new jobs. To find out more and back the campaign, visit www.cleanbritishenergy.co.uk.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust