Scrap the Climate Change Act to Keep the Lights On

Renewable Energy (Other Energy Resources) / Economics, Batteries

Date posted: 10/13/14

The Climate Change Act 2008, which ties Britain into stringent environmental measures, should be suspended - and then scrapped - if other countries refuse to agree legally binding targets, says Owen Paterson MP. Britain will struggle to keep the lights on unless the Government changes its green energy policies, the former environment secretary will warn this week. Owen Paterson will say that the Government plan to slash carbon emissions and rely more heavily on wind farms and other renewable energy sources is fatally flawed. He argues that the 2008 Climate Change Act, which ties Britain into stringent targets to reduce the use of fossil fuels, should be suspended until other countries agree to take similar measures. If they refuse, the legislation should be scrapped altogether, he said. The speech will be Mr. Paterson first significant intervention in the green energy debate since he was sacked as environment secretary during this summers Cabinet reshuffle. In his address, he will set out an alternative strategy that would see British homes serviced by dozens of small nuclear power stations. Expensive green energy was a bad gamble as ministers slash gas price forecasts. Living close to wind farms could cause hearing damage. He will also suggest that home owners should get used to temporary power cuts cutting the electricity to appliances such as fridges for two hours at a time, for example to conserve energy...until the new small nuclear reactors come online.