Wednesday 20 May 2015

GDP Trumps GHG, part 94

It's part of the 'greening' of politics that everyone is supposed to put CO2-reduction at the top of the priority list, and that's the direction in which lip-service is generally paid.  In this context, coal-burning is the universal enemy.

But when push comes to shove, and shove comes to parochial concerns - generally jobs - even coal (unabated coal!) gets the benefit of the doubt.  The SNP - that's the SNP whose policy is "100% of Scotland's electricity from renewables by 2020" - are of course up in arms about Scottish Power's decision to close Longannet, one of the most heavily CO2-emitting plants in Europe.

And today we have Yvette Cooper, prime candidate for the Labour leadership (and of course MP for Normanton, Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley), declaring: "dreadful news that SSE plan to close Ferrybridge C next year".  Yes, that's another of those big, dirty coal-fired plants.

Perhaps she'll get asked at the hustings how she squares this anguished cry with her official support for the crazy energy policy that started with Ed Milibore's 2008 Energy Act.  But probably not because there's no need, really: we all know the answer.

ND

6 comments:

Blue Eyes said...

Our carbon good, your carbon bad.

What's for northern for plus ça change?

Peter S said...

BE.-

The Geordie for plus ça change is 'worra cunt'.

(This has been a public service comment).

CityUnslicker said...

We are led by fools and will reach a fools end.

We only have to look to Germany, reduced to begging from Russia by their own stupidity on Energy.

Just because they are in charge and make speeches, does not imply they have any brains or understanding.

BrianSJ said...

There seems to be no sign of sensible analysis in Scotland. This is considered good analysis
http://bellacaledonia.org.uk/2015/05/21/true-grid/

Nick Drew said...

that's about the measure of it, Brian

may we hope Amber Rudd will see them off? I'm not optimistic but, hey, not guilty until proven otherwise

Sebastian Weetabix said...

@Brian: Jesus wept. I'm glad I left Scotland in the70s, if that's what passes for intelligentsia these days.