Press release

Government's green promises unravelling fast

17 March 2012

The Government's new 'dash for gas', announced by Ministers today, will keep the nation hooked on dirty and expensive fossil fuels and undermine UK targets for tackling climate change, warns Friends of the Earth.

The announcement coincides with reports today that scores of environmental regulations are to be slashed under Government plans to be unveiled on Monday.

This morning's announcement by Energy Secretary Ed Davey and Chancellor George Osborne sets a pollution cap for new power stations until 2045.

However, the level at which the cap has been set would make it impossible for the UK to reach its carbon targets unless the envisaged gas power was fitted with untried carbon capture and storage technology. By contrast, the Government's independent advisor, the Committee on Climate Change, has called for the electricity industry to be decarbonised by 2030.

Earlier this week research by Friends of the Earth revealed that energy firms, including the Big Six, are planning to build nearly double the number of gas-fired power stations the Government says the UK may need, in a move that energy experts predict will drive up household energy costs.

According to Government analysis, rocketing electricity prices have been caused by the soaring price of wholesale gas.

Friends of the Earth's Executive Director, Andy Atkins said:

"This is a catastrophic mistake - a new dash for gas will keep struggling households and businesses hooked on expensive fossil fuels for decades and completely undermine UK climate change targets.

"This announcement will only benefit fat cat Big Six energy firms who are planning to build new gas-fired power stations and have made huge profits through the nation's reliance on costly and dirty fossil fuels.

"The Government's promise to build a clean economy to create new jobs and tackle soaring fuel bills is unraveling fast - cutting energy waste and investing in clean British energy is the only way to give us electricty we can all afford."

In a further development, the Guardian reports today that scores of environmental regulations are to be slashed under Government plans to be announced on Monday.

Friends of the Earth's Director of Policy and Campaigns, Craig Bennett said:

"Ministers are spending valuable time and money tinkering with vital regulations with no evidence that it won't simply create extra confusion and costs for businesses - as well as play havoc with the environment.

"Letwin claims this bureaucratic tidying-up exercise will save £1 billion - but there's not a shred of evidence to back up his claim.

"Ministers should be focussing on fixing our broken economy by mobilising investment for clean British industries rather than entangling themselves in red tape drudgery."

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Almost 40,000 people have joined Friends of the Earth's Final Demand campaign, launched in October last year, which calls for energy we can all afford and a public inquiry into the power and influence of the Big Six energy companies.

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust