Policy

No exemptions for new green gas levy

All gas suppliers will have to pay a new government levy, which is designed to fund biomethane injection into the grid, irrespective of how small they are or whether they already offer a green fuel. The government released a consultation paper on its proposed Green Gas Levy on the same day the Energy Networks Association published new research into building a hydrogen-ready network. It called for the government to set a target date for the connection of the first hydrogen production plant to the gas grid to help get projects off the ground.

Starmer silent on renationalisation in virtual party conference speech

Keir Starmer underlined that tackling climate change will be at the heart of a future Labour government’s economic policy but was silent on utilities renationalisation in his first party conference speech as leader.

‘Every line’ of a Labour Budget would be tested against net-zero target

All spending under a Labour government would be tested against the net-zero emissions goal, the party’s shadow chancellor of the exchequer has pledged. Anneliese Dodds also said that businesses would have to meet net-zero obligations in order to secure funds from Labour’s proposed package of coronavirus crisis measures.

‘Overlapping’ levies should be replaced with ‘single, simple’ carbon charge

GHG and ECO ‘will not be merged’

Kwasi Kwarteng has insisted it would not be appropriate to merge the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) with the government’s new energy efficiency upgrades voucher scheme. The energy minister said the two initiatives have different objectives and target audiences. Labour branded the decision a missed opportunity to tackle fuel poverty.

House of Lords should ‘lead by example’ and install EV chargers

The House of Lords should set an example and install electric vehicle (EV) chargers in its car park, according to a Conservative peer, who has said his request to do has been twice turned down.

‘Substantial sums’ must be invested in storage to prevent reliance on gas engines

Gas must not be sidelined in the net-zero debate

As part of our Build Back Better series, Utility Week speaks to Matt Hindle, head of gas at the Energy Networks Association. He predicts the relatively low profile of gas networks in the public debate around decarbonisation is about to change as the country begins to confront the conundrum of eradicating emissions from home heating.

Labour calls for 2030 phase out of diesel and petrol vehicles

Labour has urged the government to bring forward its proposed ban on new non-electric cars and vans to 2030.

Green Finance Institute launches Zero Carbon Heating Taskforce

Whitehall grip on net zero is ‘irresponsible’

Kwarteng says energy efficiency funding will go beyond GHG

Calls for immediate support for new UK nuclear, as Hitachi bows out

White paper to set out wider renewables targets

The upcoming energy white paper will include targets for a wide range of low carbon technologies such as onshore wind and solar, Kwasi Kwarteng has signalled. The minister of state for energy also said he hopes to see the UK launch a green sovereign bond to help to finance the transition to net zero.

Garfield: The environment is our supply chain