Britain tries to block European targets for renewable energy

[jpak]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,,2011781,00.html

Britain is trying to block new European rules that would set binding targets on renewable energy generation to tackle climate change, according to leaked papers.

The European commission wants to force member states to generate 20% of their energy by 2020 from green sources such as wind power and wood chip boilers. But Britain has argued against such a binding goal, saying countries need the "flexibility" to set their own targets.

Green campaigners said yesterday ministers were blocking the proposals because existing policies to deliver renewable energy would fail to get Britain anywhere near the 20% goal.

An industry source said Department of Trade and Industry officials had admitted at a meeting last month that current policies would see 4%-5% of UK energy produced from renewable sources by 2020.

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Poodle bites, Poodle chews it...

[yankeeinlouisiana]

1. Well, maybe Britain should change

their existing policies!

[GliderGuider]

2. I sympathize with them.

They are facing an economic downturn due to the shift in their energy supply situation (going from net exporter to net importer). That has probably made them more than a bit nervous about signing onto policies that might limit their ability to respond. It's one thing to agree to potentially expensive green policies in good times. It's quite another when you're staring a recession in the face.

[jpak]

3. Yes - if they go nuclear the route, they will import all their uranium

Homegrown renewable energy = energy independence.

...and what is the cost of cleaning up the UK's existing nuclear power plants???

$112 billion???

Can they afford this in "bad times" too????

[GliderGuider]

6. Their options don't need to include nuclear.

They might just choose to import more natural gas. For example, if their economy takes a dive they may decide that the short-term cost of putting in windmills is higher than the cost of importing more gas. If they were committed by international agreements to building windmills, they could lose the ability to make that adjustment.

I'm not saying that's what would happen, I'm just saying that in the face of hard times it's prudent to keep your options open. That's why I want Canada to abrogate NAFTA first thing last week.

[jpak]

7. Buying gas from....Russia?? At what price: economically, politically???

Windmills, willow copice and PV arrays are a much better deal any way you look at it.

[GliderGuider]

8. Don't tell me, tell them...

Who says they won't do wind, biomass and PV? I'm not arguing against them doing renewables, I'm just saying I can understand why they don't want to sign binding policy agreements right now.

[spag68]

4. England

and any other industrial economy would almost certainly improve their economic position by investing in "green" or alternative energy supplies.

[GliderGuider]

5. Yes, they might.

However, I can see them not wanting to sign up to a constraining policy just as the bad times are starting to unfold.

[Moby Grape]

9. renewables are more difficult to tax

it is easy to tax imported oil, and natural gas.

a 'homegrown renewables' industry,
would fight for itself.

easy money has a very strong appeal.