Following this morning’s publication of the Government’s draft Energy Bill, Friends of the Earth Senior Energy Campaigner Paul Steedman said:

“The Government needs to stop obsessing over a way to make the sums for nuclear power add up, stop our homes leaking heat and switch the country from dirty gas to clean British energy from wind, sun and water to help hard-pressed households with their bills.”

He added:

“After 18 months of dithering, this Bill doesn’t even set out a clear purpose, when it should make a simple commitment to decarbonising our electricity supply by 2030.

“All the Bill contains is a desperate attempt to prop up the dying nuclear industry and a way of letting in dirty gas by the back door, even though soaring gas prices have led to rocketing bills.

“More gas and new nukes will only add to bill payers’ pain.

“The Government should listen to 85% of people and support clean British energy from our wind, sun and water, as well as cutting energy waste.

“This would kickstart our struggling economy by creating thousands of jobs, give much-needed relief to customers struggling with fuel bills, and boost the Government’s green credentials.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1.       Friends of the Earth’s Clean British Energy campaign 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 – backed by 85 per cent of the public. For too long the Big Six energy companies have locked Britain into importing costly gas and coal – causing our fuel bills to rocket. Backing renewable power and cutting energy waste will stabilise fuel bills and create new jobs.