Letters to the Editor – 29/05 – Energy innovation, Best of Twitter
Energy innovation
[Re: Why environmentalists should embrace fracking, yesterday]
Paul Ormerod’s opinion piece claims that I deny the ability of innovation to solve climate change problems. That is absolute nonsense. We need every tool available to us if we’re to build a new energy system based on clean, home-grown, secure energy supplies. We need a diverse energy mix, which is why our policies support innovative technologies until they can stand on their own two feet, right across the mix from renewables to carbon capture and storage. We are also pushing ahead with responsible shale exploration as part of this mix. We need gas for decades to come, and if we can move towards home-grown, rather than relying on ever increasing foreign imports, this will boost energy security and protect bill payers. While I’m pushing for an ambitious EU greenhouse gas target to tackle emissions, I’m also fighting against specific technology targets for individual member states. Rigid specific technology targets do not make sense when technological innovation is happening so fast. Exploring for shale gas will not compromise our investment focus on boosting energy efficiency, renewables, nuclear and other low carbon technologies. We must do it all.
Ed Davey, secretary of state for energy and climate change
An EU referendum is essential, not least because it would end the uncertainty about our membership once and for all. All the polling suggests that the public is evenly divided on the EU, but support for it jumps once any renegotiation has been agreed.
R Fairless
………………..
BEST OF TWITTER
There’s little point in the Lib Dems since Labour ditched clause 4 and the Tories became social liberals.
@vic_sez
Nick Clegg has been incredibly lucky in his enemies – first Huhne, now Oakeshott.
@wallaceme
Google going from its first foray into driverless cars 5 years ago to now unveiling an actual car is impressive.
@mathowie
Interesting development: France passes law to allow workers to donate work days to colleagues.
@trajsingh