NGO study on Biofuels is full of factual errors

A new study that was commissioned by NGO's Friends of the Earth, ActionAid, has been criticised by the ethanol association ePURE as being flawed and full of factual errors. The new reports claims that biofuels are expected to cost EU consumers about €126 billion (US$167 billion), at the pump between now and 2020. According to ePURE, analysts FO Licht’s looked at the report and say: "There are inherent difficulties in calculating the differences in the cost of producing fossil fuels on the one hand and biofuels on the other. Even the study authors warn that it should be noted that these projections are extremely uncertain, and thus the results derived are indicative." Read more ...

The British Government attempts appeal of lost case

Following the loss of the case brought against the British government over the solar tariff issue, the government is now in the court of appeal today attempting to overturn the decision by the High Court that its handling of the solar subsidies had been illegal. The original case was won by Friends of the Earth along with a number of companies involved in solar power installation.

If the Government wins its appeal, the prospects for households and community projects installing solar panels could see repayments change at any stage, making projects potentially unworkable. "This appeal prolongs uncertainty and further erodes industry and consumer confidence," said John Swinney, Director of Business Development, Carillion. The Government's appeal could potentially cost taxpayers tens of thousands of pounds. Read more ...

Solar issue to be challenged by UK government

The recent decision by the High courts that the government cuts to solar power feed in tariffs are illegal, are to be challenged by the government in an appeal confirmed by the Energy Minister Greg Barker. The Friends of the Earth believe that an appeal would be a waste of the tax-payers money and is urging the ministers to focus on helping the solar industry to get back on a stable footing.

The High Court also said that the government had no realistic prospect of winning an appeal. Friends of the Earth's Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said: "Trying to appeal the High Court's ruling is an expensive waste of taxpayers' money. The government must expand the scheme with all the tax revenue the scheme generates, this can be done at no extra cost to bill payers". Read more ...

High Court ruling on feed in tariff

Friends of the Earth along with two solar companies has won its legal challenge against the government over the decision to cut feed-in-tariff's for solar power. After only two days in court the Judge ruled that the governments plans were "legally flawed". "These botched and illegal plans have cast a huge shadow over the solar industry, jeopardising thousands of jobs." said Andy Atkins, Friends of the Earth's Executive Director. Read more ...

Court battle continues with Friends of the Earth

The UK government from October 31, 2011 started slashing the feed in tariff incentive payments for households and communities generating electricity through solar power by 50 percent. Friends of the Earth believe that the decision to reduce payments by 50 percent was premature, unfair and unlawful.

Since 2010 there has been about 100,000 new solar powered projects and a major increase in the number employed in this energy sector. But the decision of the UK government to slash the funding on the feed in tariff could cost 29,000 jobs in the solar industry. Read more ...

UK company Forth Energy urged to drop plans

A UK company has been urged to drop the controversial plans for a biomass power station at Leith, after a new report in which campaigners claimed cast fresh doubts on the viability of the proposed plant. Environmental group Friends of the Earth said Forth Energy should scrap the proposed development in the wake of the report by the influential UK Committee on Climate Change, which recommended that large-scale biomass power stations should no longer be eligible for public subsidies. Read more ...

Legal challenge to stop cuts in feed in tariffs

Two solar companies and Friends of the Earth are presenting their case today at the High court seeking permission to challenge the government plans to cut the feed in tariff subsidies. The court had previously ruled that this challenge could not take place, according to Friends of the Earth. But now Friends of the Earth has been given the go ahead to seek the courts permission to reverse that decision.

The Government recently launched a consultation into feed-in tariffs. In it, it proposed halving payments from December 12 - two weeks before the consultation ends. "We strongly believe Government plans to abruptly slash solar subsidies are illegal. We hope the High Court agrees to allow our case to be heard as soon as possible." said Andy Atkins, Director, Friends of the Earth. Read more ...

UK Government threatened with legal action by FOE

Friends of the Earth has come out and threatened the UK government over the decision to slash financial incentives to those who wish to install solar schemes. The environmental group has said that it will start legal proceedings against the UK Government unless the Government agrees to amend its proposals by 4pm on Friday November 11. Friends of the Earth's Policy and Campaigns Director Craig Bennett said: "The Government is breaking the law with its plans to fast-track a solar industry kill-off as well as jeopardising thousands of jobs and countless clean energy projects across the country. Read more ...