Nuclear power
On 21 October the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change announced that agreement had been reached with EDF to build the UK's first new nuclear power station since Sizewell B was commissioned in 1995.
Warm Front Scheme
The Warm Front scheme in England was a programme designed to help vulnerable households, including those in fuel poverty, to benefit from energy efficiency improvements such as home heating and loft insulation measures. It has now been replaced by the Green Deal.
Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP)
The Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP) is a three-year obligation on major energy suppliers and generators to offer free or low cost energy efficiency measures to communities in certain low income areas. It ran from 1 September 2009 to December 2012.
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Research Briefing
Simplifying Energy Tariffs
The energy regulator Ofgem has finalised its proposals for simplifying energy tariffs, while retaining competition in the GB energy supply market. The Government is also taking 'backstop' powers in the current Energy Bill on tariffs.
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Research Briefing
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)
The Carbon Emission Reduction Target (CERT) placed a five year obligation on gas and electricity suppliers to reduce carbon emissions in the household sector through energy efficiency improvements. It ran from April 2008 - December 2012.
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Research Briefing
Energy Bill 2013 – update for Report stage
The current Energy Bill now has its Report Stage scheduled, for 3 June 2013. This note provides an update to some of the more controversial areas, and to previous Library research briefings on the Bill.
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Research Briefing
Heating oil and other off-gas grid heating
This note sets out the regulation of the off-gas grid energy market, and possible sources of support for those who live off the gas grid and have to rely on other fuels such as heating oil or LPG to heat their homes.
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Research Briefing
Energy Bill: Committee Stage Report
This paper complements Library Research Paper 12/79 on the Energy Bill 2012-13. It covers the Bill’s Second Reading and Committee Stages. The Bill seeks to implement electricity market reform and introduces ‘contracts for difference’ to support all forms of low carbon generation, including nuclear. Government amendments made during Committee Stage related to cheaper energy tariffs and setting a decarbonisation target.
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Research Briefing
Nuclear test veterans – compensation
A group of 1,011 services veterans and civilians from the UK, Fiji and New Zealand have attempted to obtain a compensation hearing against the Ministry of Defence relating to alleged illnesses caused by exposure to radiation in nuclear weapons tests during the 1950s. However, in March 2012 the Supreme Court ruled against the Atomic Veterans’ case proceeding and the Government says it has no plans to pay compensation.
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Research Briefing
Energy Bill
The Energy Bill [Bill 100 of 2012-13] seeks to implement ‘electricity market reform’ and through this achieve ‘secure, clean and affordable’ electricity supplies. The Bill was introduced to the Commons on 29 November 2012 and will have its Second Reading debate on 19 December 2012. A draft Bill was subject to pre-legislative scrutiny by the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee.
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Research Briefing
Growth and Infrastructure Bill
The Growth and Infrastructure Bill seeks to reduce delays in the planning system and to facilitate new development, through various means. It would allow planning obligations (section 106 agreements) relating to affordable housing to be renegotiated. To promote economic growth, it makes provision for a planned revaluation of business rates in England to be postponed and to create a new employment status of employee owner. Its second reading date has been moved from 30 October to 5 November 2012.
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Research Briefing
Energy complaints and the Energy Ombudsman
This short note outlines complaints routes against energy companies.
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Research Briefing
Deepwater and Arctic oil drilling
This note outlines several examples of how previously inaccessible sources of hydrocarbons are now starting to be exploited, the regulatory regimes that surround this and the increasing controversy over drilling in the Arctic.
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Research Briefing
Cormorants and fisheries
This short note sets out the background to a current review of predation at fisheries by fish-eating birds, which is being undertaken by Defra. The Angling Trust's Action on Cormorants campaign has resulted in many Members receiving representations on this subject.
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Research Briefing
Winter Fuel Payments for “off-gas grid” households
Four million (15% of) households in the UK are not connected to the mains gas grid and their average fuel costs are signifiantly higher than those with a mains gas supply. A Private Members Bill presented by Mike Weir MP aims to help older off-grid households by bringing forward the timing of Winter Fuel Payments to enable them to purchase fuel at a time of year when prices are likely to be lower.
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