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Proceeding contribution from Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour) in the House of Commons on Monday, 18 July 2011. It occurred during Debate on National Policy Statements (Energy).


National Policy Statements (Energy)

I understand the sentiment behind my hon. Friend's question. The difficulty is the broad scope of the term ““waste incineration””, as many different types and technologies come under that category. The issue is addressed in some of the amendments, including two tabled by the hon. Member for Brighton, Pavilion (Caroline Lucas), to which I shall return. My hon. Friend makes a very valid point and we have to be very confident that we are not going backwards by including certain things. Let me direct Ministers' attention to the bold statement in EN-1 that"““the Government supports a move across the EU from a 20% to a 30% emissions reduction target by 2020.””" That is very good, so can the Minister explain in his concluding remarks why his party's Members in the European Parliament voted against those same proposals two weeks ago? It is so disappointing that wave and tidal power have taken a back seat in the Government's plans again despite this national policy statement. Given the slashing of Labour's marine renewables funds, the shelving of any proposals whatever—big or small—for the Severn estuary, the worrying noises from within the industry, in which people are looking to invest abroad, and the long wait for wave and tidal technologies to be properly recognised in the renewables obligation certificates fund, it is no wonder that the head of RenewableUK described the £20 million, out of a £200 million low-carbon innovation fund, that was given to the Government's flagship marine scheme as"““a drop in the ocean””."


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
531 c690-1 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Energy Electricity generation Energy supply Infrastructure Nuclear power stations Renewable energy National policy statements
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk