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As summer finally arrived in the UK, the new energy secretary went to task on her groaning in-tray by calling taking aim on the Renewables Obligation (RO) to remove subsidies for onshore wind, the water companies took greater ownership of the market opening process, and an environmentally friendly face has a new role.
Tories target the RO
The government is poised to announce a reform of the Renewables Obligation scheme in order to cut support for new onshore wind turbines, which Amber Rudd, and all those at Conservative HQ, will deliver on their promise to “halt the spread” of onshore windfarms.
Rudd has also been busy filling the void vacated by Ed Miliband by demanding action on prices by the energy companies. She has demanded the big six energy suppliers act and cut customers’ bills, now the threat of a Labour price freeze has disappeared, in order to reflect falling wholesale prices. Rudd made the comments after the news that the wholesale price of electricity fell by 11 per cent in May, compared to May last year, despite the carbon price doubling since then.
Water market responsibilities
As May came to a close, so did the lights at Open Water, the organisation originally charged with overseeing the market opening process. Ofwat and Market Operator Services Limited (MOSL) – the company created by Anglian Water, Northumbrian Water, and United Utilities have assumed responsibility for the programme.
And a new role for a familiar face…
Utility Week exclusively revealed that Labour’s Barry Gardiner has taken up a seat in Labour’s shadow cabinet as the new water minister. Garinder will be facing Rory Stewart in parliamentary debates, as the Conservative MP was confirmed as the new water minister this week.
Gardiner also confirmed that he will stand for the position of head of the Labour-held Environmental Audit Committee. As Labour recovers from a disastrous election and being consigned to the opposition benches for at least five more years, Gardiner brings a wealth of environmental and parliamentary expertise and knowledge to the post.
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