Just a quick post to share a couple of things we’ve been sent, firstly there’s this petition/campaign which is amusingly titled (borrowed for the title of this post) but is very serious and worth supporting : David Cameron: don’t break wind…support it!
Then along similar lines, there’s this letter to David Cameron penned by one of our customers. We really liked the tone and content and thought it would be worth sharing in case any of you would like to do something similar with your MP, or even to Mr Cameron.
It starts with a letter from our customer Chris to his MP David Cameron:
Dear David
UK Energy Security and Renewables
I read with great disappointment in the Sunday Independent on the 19th October 2014 that Eric Pickles, the Community Secretary was intervening in the independent planning process to reject a large number of on-shore wind farms. I was also surprised to hear that the Conservative party are intending to discourage future on-shore wind farms and solar farms as part of the proposed 2015 General Election manifesto.
It was not that long ago that you made a commitment to your local constituents at a meeting in the Quaker chapel in Charlbury and later to the British people to lead the “greenest government ever”. Where do the actions of Eric Pickles and Conservative party manifesto proposals back tracking on renewables, fit into the commitment you gave us all on environmental issues?
You may be aware that last Sunday our renewable wind industry stepped up to the plate in producing nearly 8 GW or 24% of the UK’s electricity, at the same time that a considerable amount of our nuclear capacity is out of action and a fire at Didcot B reduced gas generated electricity. On the same day Denmark produced 101% of its electricity demand from its wind turbines, even leaving a small amount for export.
I understand that on-shore wind farms are quickly becoming the cheapest way to generate electricity. Surely as the windiest country in Europe this creates a tremendous opportunity for this country to gain an economic advantage over our competitors from cheaply generated electricity, which also generates considerable local UK employment, and clean and renewable energy.
On-shore wind and solar farms remain the most popular means of generating electricity; although no one would doubt that there remains a very vocal minority who remain opposed, many because of vested interests in fossil fuels.
It could also be strongly argued that Mr Pickles actions and reported 2015 Conservative manifesto proposals regarding on-shore wind and solar farms could further jeopardize the UK’s very tight energy security margins. Mr Pickles has apparently rejected 19 projects in the last year which could account for more than 520 megawatts of lost electricity production.
I look forward to hearing your views on these matters as my Member of Parliament and British Prime-minister.
Yours sincerely
Chris
And a reply from David Cameron
Dear Chris,
Thank you for contacting me about onshore wind farms.
Please be assured that this government recognises the need for renewable energy generation as part of a balanced energy mix. If we are to protect Britain’s energy security, cut emissions and ensure long-term, affordable supplies of energy, then renewable energy – alongside nuclear, gas and carbon capture and storage – is an important component of our energy future.
This Government has already delivered enough wind farms to secure our renewable targets. As one of the oldest renewables – and one of the least expensive – onshore wind makes a valuable contribution to the UK energy mix and currently delivers power to four million homes.
While wind farms clearly play an important role in supporting our renewable energy needs, they can cause considerable consternation for local communities. There has been real public concern that inappropriately sited onshore wind turbines have been harmful to the local environment and have damaged heritage for miles around.
That is why this Government has openly changed national planning guidance to ensure that proper weight is given to the protection of England’s valuable landscape and heritage, and we have sought to ensure that planning appeal decisions properly reflect that guidance.
Thank you again for taking time to contact me,
Yours,
Julia Spence
(dictated by Mr Cameron and signed in his absence)
And here’s Chris reply to his reply:
Dear David
UK Energy Security and Renewables
Many thanks for your recent letter. I am encouraged to hear that you feel on-shore wind “is an important component of our energy future”.
However, I would be grateful if you could respond to the other two issues I raised in my original correspondence to you:
Firstly, why is the Conservative party intending to discourage future on-shore wind farms as part of the proposed 2015 General Election manifesto?
Secondly, why is Eric Pickles, the community Secretary being allowed to jeopardize the UK’s very tight energy security margins and harm the UK’s economic advantage over our competitors from cheaply generated electricity by rejecting 19 on-shore wind projects in the last year which could account for more than 520 megawatts of lost electricity production?
It also occurs to me that there is a contrast in the approach which you outline for wind, and the one being taken for fracking – where local opposition seems not to matter at all, where planning regulations are being eased as are environmental protections (and it’s not visual pollution that’s the sole problem with fracking). I understand that even the law of trespass is being revised. Why the difference in approach and standards between on-shore wind and fracking?
I look forward to hearing your views on these matters as my Member of Parliament and British Prime-minister.
Wishing you and the family a very enjoyable Christmas and New Year.
Yours sincerely
Chris
We’ll keep you updated on whether Chris gets a reply to the reply.
The point about fracking running rough shod over planning is a great point and one that has been asked repeatedly. I wonder if Pickles will block fracking rigs like he has solar farms and wind turbines, or if he’ll treat them like the housing estates being built on green field sites (eg at the back of Anne Hathaways cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon – you don’t get much more “heritage” than that!).
There are two other – increasingly important – points in favour of onshore wind which are worth mentioning. First, it is by far the quickest capacity to add to the UK’s generating fleet, public enquiries notwithstanding. Second, it is the easiest and quickest to remove, leaving little in the way of environmental degradation, should the turbines become unnecessary or obsolete at some point in the future. The argument that wind turbines spoil our countryside forever is fantasy – even if one accepts that some people genuinely find them ugly.
You always get one fly in the ointment, always complaining that we are running out of energy when its staring you right in the face, renewable energy works.
Wind energy – “can cause considerable consternation for local communities” – does this mean one law for the powerful corporate fracking companies and another for wind companies. Seems a bit like the current trend for all other things!!
Someone I know suggested siting mini windmills down the motorways. And why not? Seems sensible given the wind drag from traffic and why should traffic users have an uninhibited scenic view.
I wrote a similar letter to my local MP. Got the same illogical answer. I’ve been a Tory voter for over 20 years – not this time.
Constantly causing death and destruction across the Middle East meddling over fuel when we have a free resource that could be maximised to everyone’s benefit.
Don’t even start on fracking. Anyone can see it’s got the words stupid and greed written over every facet of it