Question time briefing: Energy and climate change

ePolitix.com reports on Thursday's oral questions to ministers at the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

The government was attacked on the UK’s lack of gas reserves during energy and climate change questions in the Commons.

Shadow climate change secretary Greg Clark pressed the government on the dwindling gas levels in the reserve, commenting that at one point this year there was only four days worth of gas left.

Energy minister Mike O'Brien argued that the number of day's worth of storage was not important. He argued that storage gas was not used on its own, adding that North Sea gas reserves put the UK in a unique position. The UK did not need the storage cap that other countries needed, he added.

Clark said that it was a "complacent answer" from the minister. He said that other countries capped reserves in terms of days. Clark commented that he hope that the government ran out of time before the UK ran out of gas.

Philip Hollobone (Con, Kettering) pressed the minister on the discussions he has had with the environment secretary on the effect on electricity consumption and carbon dioxide emissions of the installation and use of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting.

Junior minister Joan Ruddock said she had not held any discussions with Defra on the issue of LED lighting.

Ruddock stated that the government recognised the energy savings that LEDs could offer and stated that the government was committed to stimulating development in the area.

Ruddock said that the department had put some of the LED products onto the energy technology products list. She also highlighted that the government was awarding tax relief for energy efficient products thought the working capital allowance scheme.

Sir Patrick Cormack (Con, South Staffordshire) inquired about the drawbacks of conventional lights bulbs on the blind and partially sighted.

Ruddock stated that the European Commission had undertaken research on double envelope light bulbs, which were thought to irritate those who suffer adverse affects of lighting. But she confirmed that double envelope light bulbs did not aggravate sight.

James Duddridge (Con, Rochford & Southend East) asked what progress had been made towards the government's targets for renewable energy generation by 2020.

Climate change secretary Edward Miliband argued that five per cent of electricity came from renewable sources. He also highlighted that the government was banding renewables obligation certificates in drive to reduce emissions by 15 per cent.

Miliband argued that the UK had overtaken Denmark in offshore wind energy generation. Highlighting the London Array wind farm, Miliband said he was pleased Masdar would be investing in the venture. He also said that the department was keeping in touch with investors on issues surrounding wind turbines, particularly finance.

The minister added that the government is determined to drive the economy towards carbon capture and storage and clean technology.

He argued that there was no low cost, high carbon future for the country and argued against the short term solutions which lead to high oil prices.

Mile Weir (SNP, Angus) referred to the Electricity Networks Strategy Group report published yesterday which facilitates the achievement of government’s energy and climate change policy.

Miliband argued that the government was seeking to encourage connection on new generation to the grid. He said that he hoped 450 megawatts would be considered by the National Grid and Ofgem to improve electricity connectivity.

He called for a system of regulation to ensure the UK had the smart grid it requires.

Miliband was also questioned about energy from waste and was pressed to show courage and face up to local authorities who were not addressing the benefits. He also expressed concern about PFI and planning which prevented development of installations.

Miliband argued that the government should be courageous. He acknowledged the importance of energy from waste to the energy mix. He argued that local authorities urgently needed to be persuaded.

Lib Dem spokesman for energy and climate change, Simon Hughes, argued that the UK needed a renewable energy industry where there is confidence in investment.

Miliband said that co-ordination was necessary. He argued that the Planning Act enabled faster renewable energy and technology.

Miliband also warned that no sector was immune from the credit crunch and that the government was looking at the working capital scheme and other existing schemes in order to address investment issues facing the industry.

Clark referred to prime minister Gordon Brown's speech to the US Congress, in which he said: "It is only by investing in environmental technology that we can end the dictatorship of oil, and it is only by tackling climate change that we create the millions of new green jobs we need."

In light of Brown’s statement, Clark argued that the UK was failing to meet the 2050 renewable energy targets. He asked the minister how many new green jobs would be created through the climate change and renewables policy of the government this year.

Miliband replied that thousands of jobs would be created. He also argued that Conservative councils across the country were opposed to renewable energy and wind turbines. He argued that the Opposition was doing nothing.

Ann Cryer (Lab, Keighley) asked what assessment had been made of the adequacy of the UK's gas storage capacity.

O’Brien argued that the UK needed to import more gas. For energy security reasons, the UK needed to increase its storage capacity, he said.

Cryer referred to the announcement made by Centrica on February 26 regarding its acquirement of a project to convert the Baird gas field in the southern North Sea into the UK's second largest gas storage facility. She asked the minister whether the project would still be going ahead.

Miliband argued that investors were under taking a strategic review of the project and highlighted that there was support available from the European Investment Bank (EIB).

He added that the department was working with the EIB and gas storage companies so that investors are aware of support available.

Miliband added that he was not convinced that the EU market was liberalised but said that EU Commission was responding to issues raised by the government. He accepted that there needs to be change.

Stephen Hammond (Con, Wimbledon) asked the minister whether he would give the House regular announcements of the days of gas storage the country had left.

O’Brien said there was no need to make statements as the information was readily available on the National Grid website.

Lyn Brown (Lab, West Ham) asked the minister what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on improving the energy efficiency of houses by 2020.

Miliband stated that the department had been engaged in regular discussions and highlighted the recent announcement of the heat and energy saving strategy.

And he acknowledged that more needed to be done and that the best approach was a house-by-house, street-by-street approach. He argued that the government’s policy on energy efficient housing could make a huge difference to families’ homes and energy bills.

Topical questions:

On the subject of the department’s responsibilities, Miliband said he would work with others for an integrated approach on climate change. He added that the shared agenda with America was important and stressed the need for a global deal at the Copenhagen conference in December.

Andrew George (Lib Dem, St Ives) pressed the minister on low income households and the warm front scheme. He asked how the government could extract maximum value for money.

Miliband replied that the maximum grant under the warm front scheme had not increased for a number of years and that the government would review that soon.

Robert Smith (Lib Dem, West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) argued that phase three of the Emissions Trading Scheme would penalise modern offshore oil production. He asked the minister what could be done to ensure services provided by the North Sea oil are not driven abroad.

O’Brien said the department was working with the industry to protect jobs in North Sea. He referred to the prospects of offshore wind generation and the potential for expansion of wind energy production.

David Taylor (North West Leicestershire) highlighted the Geneva motor show 2009, which saw targets set for halving car emissions by 2050. Taylor asked whether the government was in discussion with the consortium and when action on the targets would begin.

O’Brien stated that the recent announcement from business secretary Lord Mandelson meant the government was in a position to bring forward proposals and funds to develop innovative solutions for vehicle technology.

Ruddock announced the department’s intention to produce a new impact assessment to the Climate Change Act. She argued that things had come to light since the original drafting. But she warned that it was likely to find that cost were exaggerated due to international climate objectives.