Press release
Government to appeal to supreme court over solar tariff ruling
21 February 2012
The Government is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court later today (Tuesday 21 February 2012) against a High Court ruling that its plans to cut solar subsidy payments are illegal.
Commenting, Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said:
"A successful appeal will allow Ministers to slash renewable energy subsidies at any time - even for solar panels and wind turbines that have been operating for years.
"If Ministers want to protect families from soaring fuel bills they must get the nation off its fossil fuel hook - and restore business confidence in the Government's commitment to a clean energy future.
"This misguided appeal will only add to the uncertainty hovering over the renewable clean energy industry and the tens of thousands of people it employs."
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Following a legal challenge by Friends of the Earth and two solar firms, Solarcentury and HomeSun, the High Court ruled just before Christmas that Government plans to cut payments for any solar scheme completed after 12 December 2011 - 11 days before an official consultation into the proposal had even closed - were unlawful. The decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal on 25 January 2011.
2. Friends of the Earth's Final Demand campaign, which was launched in October last year, 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
Last modified: Feb 2012
