THE WEEK IN GOVERNMENT 15th March 2013 The Parliamentary Information Office of the Parliamentary Yearbook presents a weekly summary of activity in the departments of the UK Government. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Energy Efficiency Strategy The Rt Hon Edward Davey MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs outlined the Government’s Energy Efficiency Strategy in a speech at the Ecobuild 2013 event at ExCel last week. Speaking about the ‘Green Deal’, he stressed that the creation of a market in energy efficiency will, over time, create jobs and provide opportunities for businesses to thrive in every part of the construction industry and that energy efficiency can be a huge boost to construction industry firms. In addition to the ‘Green Deal’ the Government has awarded £22m to support energy efficiency projects in over 150 English local authorities and cities. Office of Unconventional Oil and Gas The formal establishment of the new Office of Unconventional Gas and Oil was announced last week by the Secretary of State. The office has been formed to oversee the exploration of shale oil and gas (fracking). Mr Davey outlined the importance of shale oil and gas to the UK’s future energy requirements and stressed that this was not a single solution but a part of our future energy policy along with nuclear, renewable, CCS and other technologies. He announced that, after careful study, he had given clearance to renewed exploration activity subject to careful controls. Nuclear Expansion The UK demonstrated that it is at the forefront of Europe’s nuclear expansion last week when Edward Davey MP hosted the signing of a joint communique between twelve EU member states each having an interest in nuclear energy. The communique expresses the belief that nuclear power is at the forefront of European future low carbon energy mix and the twelve states committed to a real collaboration on safety issues plus a guarantee of certainty for investors. Whilst member states will work closely together on research, each state will be free to develop its own strategy in relation to the mix of low carbon solutions. The next meeting of the group will be hosted by the Czech Republic next year. Renewable Electricity Developers of low carbon electricity projects will be given greater certainty through the Government’s ‘Final Investment Decision Enabling Programme’ enabling them to apply for support to commission and build projects more quickly ahead of changes to the electricity market next year. Details of the process for providing support were published last week, including information on the support available and the qualification criteria. In the Autumn, the Government will be offering investment contracts to successful applicants. Green Deal Statistics The first ‘Green Deal’ statistics were published last week. Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey MP said that there were “clear signs of a promising new market gathering momentum”. There have been more that 1,800 Green Deal assessments in just over a month and £26.9 million worth of Energy Company Obligations (ECO) contracts signed. The ECO contract gives additional financial assistance to householders in older properties and those on low incomes or benefits. In addition the number of corporates joining the scheme is increasing rapidly. 40 firms are already authorised as providers, with a further 629 registered to carry out installations and 619 individuals registered to offer assessments. The Parliamentary Information Office will continue to report on these and other issues from Government offices
Posted on: Fri, 24 May 2013 13:21:10 +0000