UK Energy Bill – Friends of the Earth Scotland response

Responding to the publication today (22 May 2012) of the UK Government’s draft Energy Bill, Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Communications Officer Per Fischer said:

“What we needed from the Energy Bill was a clear commitment to decarbonise the electricity supply, but instead we got support for dirty gas and unsustainable and too expensive nuclear energy.

“This is not just bad news for the environment, but will also ramp up household energy bills, putting even more strain on taxpayers.

“Recent research shows that 85% of the public support British clean energy from sustainable sources, and nearly nine out of ten Scots (88%) support reducing Britain’s reliance on imported gas and coal for household electricity.”

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact: Per Fischer, Press Office, Friends of the Earth Scotland t: 0131 243 2719

Notes to Editors

1. Energy Bill announcement from DECC
www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/legislation/energybill2012/energybill2012.aspx

2. Friends of the Earth’s Clean British Energy campaign is urging the government to listen to the public and transform our broken energy system by developing clean and affordable power from our wind, sun and water – backed by 85% of the public. For too long the Big Six energy companies have locked Britain into importing costly gas and coal – causing our fuel bills to rocket. Backing renewable power and cutting energy waste will stabilise fuel bills and create new jobs.
www.cleanbritishenergy.co.uk

3. Friends of the Earth Scotland is * Scotland’s leading environmental campaigning organisation * An independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland * Part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 77 national member groups, and some 5,000 local activist groups – covering every continent.
www.foe-scotland.org.uk