FADING OF GREEN PROMISES BY COALITION
19 August 2010
A commitment to introducing an environmental performance standard (EPS) for power companies would have restricted greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas plants, and encouraged companies to build more efficient technology. This policy was promoted and supported by David Cameron and Nick Clegg when in opposition.
However this will not now be implemented in the coalition’s first energy bill to be published later this year. Green campaigners say a delay in the introduction of the standard, with a few years for legislation to take place, raises the possibility of new coal-fired power stations slipping through the system.
Government sources say the legislation will not happen in autumn 2010, but a consultation on EPS will result in a white paper early in 2011. Meanwhile they will be working on the "larger picture".
The criticism by green campaigners on this issue follows news last week that nature reserves could be sold off as a countryside protection measures.
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