Energy Smart UK

British Gas Complaints Surge

2007-04-20T17:04:00.000+01:00

Hello there sunbeams,

I watched with interest as the BBC Breakfast headlines poured from my TV this morning and Phil Bentley who is the MD of British Gas and who has been in post for around 6 weeks was interviewed to respond to the huge surge in British Gas complaints.

British Gas has taken on 800 extra staff to deal with queries

British Gas has seen complaints from customers more than double since last year, according to Energywatch.

From October 2006 to March 2007, the firm had 21,427 complaints, most of which were from customers disputing their bills, the watchdog body said.

The firm's share of the electricity and gas market is 30%, but it gained more than 70% of the industry's complaints.

British Gas admitted that it was having problems with a new computerised billing system.

Extra staff

I have given the British Gas billing department our meter readings at least eight times and their system still fails to send me a correct bill. On the day I received a letter from customer services saying this was being looked into, someone turned up at our house to turn off our gas!

Curigwen Haas, Goole

Energywatch said that the total number of complaints and enquiries from British Gas customers hit a record 14,001 last month.

"It had a problem when it migrated a lot of customers' accounts from one database to another, and that's going to cause a problem for any company," Energywatch's campaigns director Adam Scorer told the BBC.

"But it has compounded the error by not having the level of customer service, and the ability to handle customer complaints, in a way that leaves customers assured that British Gas is taking their problem seriously."

Obviously we apologise for the inconvenience and the stress

Phil Bentley
British Gas

British Gas said it had taken on 800 extra staff to deal with customer queries, but admitted the firm's performance was "not in a place where we want it to be" and that it "very much regretted" that customers had suffered bad experiences.

"Obviously we apologise for the inconvenience and the stress," managing director Phil Bentley told the BBC.

"I understand what it's like to get a bill that's incorrect. We apologise to those customers and we're working very hard to improve services."

The company added it had installed a new billing system, which it claimed would "greatly improve service".

The majority of complaints over the six-month period - 15,456 - were about billing, said Energywatch, on subjects including incorrect meter readings and out-of-date account details.

Refund woes

While British Gas complaints have more than doubled, most other suppliers have at least halved their complaints on a year-by-year basis.

Customers complained about delays in issuing refunds, failure to amend account details even when they had already told the firm, and money being taken from their accounts even after transferring to another supplier, according to data from Energywatch.

The firm with the next highest number of complaints, NPower, had 2,535 complaints or 9% of the total, followed by Scottish Power with 6% and Powergen with 5%.

Meanwhile EDF had 4% of complaints, while Scottish and Southern Energy had 1% of complaints.

So I guess the advice would be shop around for best value in more ways than one - why not try a search around my linked website - this has saved numerous customers £100's of pounds per year on their utility bills and as they don't sponsor sports or have major advertising campaigns. Utility Warehouse is a discount club whose members benefit from reduced energy and telecoms offers backed by a triple price promise. Please click on the link to find out more

Interestingly, Telecom Plus (Utility Warehouse) have been voted top for customer service by Which? magazine and having switched my own energy supply to them I have found their service to be excellent and they also provide single point billing which is great.

Enjoy the weekend

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Brown's Last Budget - Greener Than Before!

2007-03-21T18:05:00.000Z

Hello There my little EEC Geeks,

UK Budget, 21st March 2007

Chancellor Gordon Brown’s budget is edging towards going green but he also couldn’t resist dramatically revealing a reduction in the basic rate of income tax from 22p to 20p from April next year – to maintain voter confidence in the Labour Government, and most of the media will concentrate on the income tax changes. However, he pledged to keep the Climate Change Levy, and announced the following initiatives designed to help the environment, and sustainability of resources:

Fuel duty up 2p per litre from October, in line with inflation (although putting VAT on airline tickets is ruled out.) .

Road tax on highest-polluting vehicles up to £300 and to £400 from April next year.

The least-polluting vehicles to have their duty cut to £35.

Public investment in science will rise from £5bn this year to £6.3bn by 2010/11.

Grants of between £300 and £4,000 for vulnerable groups and pensioners having insulation and central heating in their homes - hey folks sorry please dont be misled cos unfortunately there's no change, dont get excited its still the same Warm Front grant (£2700 standard with up to £4000 for oil fired central heating) and the Warm Front rebate for the over 60s who install new central heating and can claim £300 - which is really more like a £250 grant by the time the programme manager has taken out their "admin fee"....

Until 2012 all new zero carbon homes up to £500,000 will be exempt from stamp duty.

The landfill tax will rise by £8 each year from April 2008.

£50m for a 10-country initiative across central Africa to prevent the destruction of the second largest rain forest in the world.

£800m to the Environmental Transformation Fund, jointly run by the international development and environment secretaries.

On maintaining the Climate Change Levy, Brown said:“The Climate Change Levy, the resulting climate change agreements and the carbon trust funded by it have cut carbon emissions by a total of over 28 million tonnes.This is the reason we are already able to meet our Kyoto targets.“And in each of the next 5 years these climate change measures will cut emissions by more than 6 million tonnes, accounting by 2010 for 40 per cent of our total carbon reductions.“Because of the Climate Change Levy over 10,000 businesses have signed climate change agreements. Under the Carbon Trust funded by the levy 3,000 businesses have reduced their emissions. And enhanced capital allowances have underwritten investment in 13,000 energy-saving products.“So I reject representations to abolish the climate change levy. And I can confirm today our resolve to continue to reduce emissions including through the climate levy”.

You can access the full Budget report here - chapter 7 concentrates on the environmental issues (pdf format)

Let me know what you think about the Chancellor’s Budget: was it a missed opportunity, or good for the environment?

Making Some Good Choices Gordon but you could have done a whole lot more to help pensioners and the fuel poor and also encourage the fuel rich by investing more in the LCBP which frankly needed more funding after the first streams got allocated almost overnight - there is such a high demand it needs to be supported and certainly not underestimated!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel - now living in a gorgeous cottage in deepest Cheshire with lovely neighbours in a small village with only 200 people - more tales soon- now I know the real differences between a new modern house and an older period property and the energy efficiency issues - another log on the fire please Sean ! Oil fired central heating - how much ??!!!

Why Isnt Ken Making Good Choices?

2007-03-11T12:29:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends

You will note from the last posting that npower are the official energy suppliers to the new Wembley Stadium. Thats all well and good if they have been put through an open and robust tendering process as a large proportion of the funding for this stadium has come from the public purse.

The LDA is one of the stakeholders in the project.

Why then are npower being allowed to offer free tours to the new stadium but ONLY if you sign up to have them supply your gas and electricity? Why isn't anyone allowed to have a tour regardless of their choice of energy supplier?

This is wrong on so many levels and smacks of abuse of position - I understand that companies sponsor sports events, buildings, etc for promotional purposes but to use this particular project in such a way is a fundamental breach of all the things I thought Ken Livingstone held close to his heart?

Has Red Ken sold out ? Or is he no longer able to make good choices? I hope its neither of these and simply an oversight as this decision is a bad judgement call unless all the other energy suppliers are also going to be allocated tickets to the stadium tours?

Its a public building built using £21million of LDA public money - so any tax payer should be entitled to visit and enjoy a free tour and not have to sign up to anything beforehand.

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Wembley Stadium

2007-03-11T12:08:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

Wembley Stadium is now complete and the keys have been handed over to the FA.

npower is proud to have been chosen as the Official Energy Supplier to the new 90,000 seat Wembley Stadium. So npower are the power behind the dramatic Arch which lights up London's night skyline.

Spanning 315 metres and 133 metres high, the illuminated Arch is the longest single span roof structure in the world.

The Arch and Stadium are powered under a unique 'renewable' energy contract, a symbol of npower's commitment to using energy responsibly and respecting the environment.

Go and see it for yourself! Its four years overdue, is millions of pounds over budget and doesn't appear to contain any renewable energy technology whatsoever apart from being tied to the npower Juice contract. Brilliant! So is this another example of construction companies failing to integrate new technology into buildings and in this case its probably because the project costs were already impacting upon any profits from the construction?

Shame on you Wembley planners - lets hope they can atleast have the opportunity to switch energy suppliers if necessary in future!

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

The First In A Long Line Of Price Drops - Hopefully

2007-03-11T11:51:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

Gas prices are on the way down

After months of furious debate, British Gas customers will see their energy bills fall on Monday next week.

Gas prices will be reduced by 17% and electricity by 11%. The average annual dual fuel bill will fall by £167 to £953, British Gas has said.

Since British Gas made its announcement in February, four out of the UK's six biggest energy suppliers have followed suit and pledged to lower prices.

Since 2002, British Gas has increased gas prices seven times and electricity tariffs six times.

This is a step in the right direction and will help the many families who struggle to pay their energy bills

Karen Darby, Simplyswitch

The energy giant last cut prices in early 2000.

The company, owned by Centrica, has been criticised for its high tariffs, which consumer groups say affect vulnerable consumers.

Wholesale prices

Wholesale gas prices have fallen by about 50% over the past six months.

In response, suppliers have started to lower their domestic energy prices.

"As wholesale costs have fallen sharply in recent months, a price cut from British Gas is not before time," said Karen Darby, chief executive officer of energy switching website Simplyswitch.

"This is a step in the right direction and will help the many families who struggle to pay their energy bills. However, as its energy prices have rocketed in recent years, the company still has some way to go to redress the balance," Ms Darby added.

Experts suggest the latest reductions could help British Gas to hang on to its customers.

More than four million people switched their electricity or gas supplier last year in a bid to cut their bills, recent figures from energy regulator Ofgem showed.

British Gas has lost about one million customers during the past 12 months, has made over 1300 staff redundant as a result and in an effort to reduce costs and has closed down their Stokeley Park office. Its interesting to note that they also appear to be struggling with reaching their EEC targets as their Here to Help programme is being seen by many as an expensive solution when compared to other utility funded energy efficiency programmes. For each property that is a "no measure", BG charges the Social Housing Provider or Council £25 + VAT for the survey cost - okay the scheme incorporates a benefits entitlement check (plus signposting to specific charity partners) but it doesnt include any follow up of such advice so its unrealistic to assume that every person who experiences a positive check actually gets the money that they are entitled to thereafter?

Social Housing Providers - take note and Make Good Choices!

And before anyone goes switching to British Gas thinking that they may save some money, take a long hard and close look at their package - including the fact that BG are also introducing a £4.50 quarterly penalty fine charge for ALL customers who do not pay their bills by direct debit - that includes online payments ! Trading Standards have described this policy decision as "astonishing" and also "unlawful".

Finally don't always think that USwitch is the best site for advice either - they recommend energy suppliers that may offer deals in your region but only promoting the energy suppliers that will pay USwitch a referral fee. As my good friend Katie from Bolton assures me, you are far better to seek advice from Energywatch!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Europe Diary: Mark Mardell

2007-03-11T10:59:00.000Z

Hello My Friends and welcome to the European diary of Mark Mardell: Going green

BBC Europe editor Mark Mardell looks at the challenge facing Europe as the pressure to tackle global warming confronts the needs of heavy energy users - and the difficulties of sorting climate truth from climate myth.

The diary is published every Thursday - bookmarking this page will always take you to the latest issue.

DROUGHT AND FROST

The fields around Toledo in Spain are such a vibrant green that they almost seem to vibrate. It won't last long, of course - by early summer they will be dry and brown.

Angel Oliveros Zafra finds the unpredictability of the weather hard

But farmer Angel Oliveros Zafra says something is happening beyond the normal seasonal changes and it's costing him money and his peace of mind. He bends to show me a little purple flower with a thick stem. It's a weed and they never used to be here. The seeds blow everywhere and it takes ages to get them out. He shows me a dry gully, edged with grass but filled with plastic bags and other rubbish, not water.

Angel says the stream always dried up in the heat of summer but never at this time of year. When he was a boy he and his brother Jose Louis used to play at catching frogs while his father worked the fields. Nowadays, the frogs have gone. So has his brother. Jose Louis still lives on the farm but is away most days, working as a commercial traveller. It's less stressful and absolutely necessary to make ends meet.

There have been years of drought but Angel says the unpredictability is worse: frosts at strange times of year, howling winds when they're not expected. The figures he gives are staggering. The yield of vegetables has dropped by a tenth in a couple of decades. And the production of olives has dropped by the same ratio in just three years. He is in no doubt man-made climate change is to blame.

Unseasonal weather has caused drops in yields, Angel says

I feel a little cautious. While the evidence that climate change is man-made is just about beyond doubt, it is more difficult to find evidence of its pernicious effects in Europe. When I am pressing for examples to illustrate TV pieces about the summit, I keep being told about roses blooming early in Britain or the warmest winter ever in the Netherlands. Fine, but this won't worry most people, except as a sign.

When pushed, many other potential stories don't quite stand up. Angel's story is a moving one, but later I read the exact same area suffered mass emigration in the 17th Century because of ... wait for it ... unseasonal frosts and long droughts that destroyed agriculture. Perhaps Europe's leaders are on the brink of doing something truly altruistic for the rest of the world, not for Europe.

Angel says the world belongs to everyone, but that could spell trouble at the summit. It also belongs to the Poles, the Finns and the Hungarians who have heavy energy needs.

COAL COUNTRY

It's late at night and we have just arrived in southern Poland. Although the car windows are shut tight against the cold, there is an all-pervading smell. Slightly acrid and medicinal, its inherent unpleasantness is at odds with the memories it evokes of childhood and cosy warmth. It is the smell of coal.

A tenth of the world's coal lies under the ground in Poland

Here Poland's attitude to coal is in your face, or at least down your throat. Tony Blair and other EU leaders are full of enthusiasm to set what they regard as ambitious Europe-wide targets for cutting greenhouse gases at their summit this week but the Poles are none too enthusiastic.

Many diplomats regard the twins who run the Polish government as mavericks with a strange and unpredictable negotiating style, but their attitude to CO2 emissions is understandable. Here are a couple of statistics: a tenth of the world's coal is under the ground here, and more than 95% of Poland's electricity is generated by burning it.

It's little wonder that the Brothers Kaczynski are making the argument that if Europe should cut back on its CO2 emissions, Poland shouldn't have to meet as tough a target.

SILESIAN SLURRY

Silesia has far fewer mines than it used to but it's still a very big industry. Boleslaw Smialy is one of the smaller mines but still this is production on a grand scale. Everywhere there are small mountains of coal and tall buildings that seem to go up for ever.

Poland's mining industry has some catching up to do

Three hours even on the surface of the mine is, in a way, like a day at the beach. The stuff gets everywhere: up your nose, under your nails, caked thick around your trousers. Doing my "piece to camera" I feel like a cartoon character on the edge of the cliff. My producer and cameraman urge me to take a step back and then another step to the right. My feet sink further into what looks like firm asphalt but turns out to be sticky, coal dust-impregnated mud. Then there's the boots. And after days and days of un-Mardell-like brushing and scrubbing I can report that Italian leather and Silesian coal slurry don't make for a happy partnership.

At the mine the large green gates are topped with crossed hammers in a circle, reminiscent of communist times, but in the large works hall the same symbol stands either side of a large statue of the Virgin. There are few miners visible, and just about all of the work above ground is done by computer, which makes the managers very proud. But looking at the equipment, you realise that the argument that Poland's industry has 40 years of catching up to do is not just an excuse.

WHOSE PROBLEM IS IT?

There is the same atmosphere of the mingled Marian and the Marxist at the Kompania Weglowa headquarters. A metallic statue of St Barbara, the patron saint of miners, stands in a hall of dirty brown marble and big brass doors. Surely this building cannot have changed much since the communist era. Our guide says: "On St Barbara's day, miners stop working and start drinking." I feel like I am in an episode of "Life on Mars".

Men in brown suits with mustard ties run this place, matching the marble. They seem slightly bewildered by questions about pollution, first answering that they are cutting back on sulphur dioxide emissions (the stuff that causes acid rain). When I say I am talking about carbon dioxide, they then say that their coal is ecologically friendly and much of it is smokeless. When I press them on greenhouse gases they say this is something for the electricity company or the government, not them.

Rather exasperated, I say that if the EU was trying to cut back on the amount of ink around it would be perfectly reasonable to expect pen manufacturers to have an opinion about it, or at least how it would affect sales. Here they are on steadier ground. Poland is increasing its consumption of coal and sales are going up, and they expect them to continue rising. Mr Blair et al have quite a circle to square if the Polish coal bosses and Angel are going to share the world.

Mark Mardell - helping us to Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Barroso Gas Guzzler

2007-03-11T10:51:00.000Z

Bonas tardes Amigos !

Mr Barroso says his role is to set EU-wide energy targets

Jose Barroso, who is the president of the European Commission, has defended himself from criticism over his choice of a petrol-guzzling family car.

Jose Manuel Barroso's four-wheel drive emits far more carbon dioxide than the EU's own targets for vehicles.

But Mr Barroso says comments about his environmentally damaging car smack of "overzealous moralism".

The row comes as EU leaders are meeting to discuss carbon emissions targets at a major summit in Brussels.

'Private choices'

Mr Barroso is in favour of tougher curbs on carbon emissions as part of Europe's efforts to combat global warming. But he has defended his choice of a Volkswagen Tourag, a model that emits around 350 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre driven.

The amount is well above the 130 grams per kilometre target set for all cars on Europe's roads by 2012.

"Look, I don't comment on private choices, the choices of your family or my family," Mr Barroso told the BBC. "Our duty is to set targets and translate them into legislation. I don't think this climate of over-zealous moralism on the environment helps us."

The BBC's business reporter, Mark Gregory, says that Mr Barroso is not alone in making personal choices that jar with public policy.

Most commissioners, he says, drive cars that pollute at above-average levels with German-built high-tech BMWs or Mercedes being the favoured models.

British Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson, however, has opted for a fuel-thirsty Jaguar. Nice one Mandy ! Well I guess atleast you don't have 2 jags like Mr Prescott - well we hope not anyway?

Commissioners - please start putting your money where your mouths are and Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

EU Agrees Renewable Energy Target

2007-03-11T10:46:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

EU states will have to embrace wind, solar and hydroelectric power

At long last European Union leaders have agreed to adopt a binding target on the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, officials say.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Europe was now able to lead the way on climate change.

The 27 EU states will each decide how they contribute to meeting a 20% boost overall in renewable fuel use by 2020.

The measures could include a ban on filament light bulbs by 2010, forcing people to switch to fluorescent bulbs.

The bulbs last longer but more are more expensive to buy - however with improvements in their technology and production and more purchases, prices are set to reduce and so people should buy green on lighting without a second thought. Even the utility companies in the UK provide free CFLs to Priority Group customers so theres no excuse for all of society to go green where lighting is concerned?

In another key measure, agreed on Thursday, EU leaders said they would cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20% from 1990 levels by 2020. BBC world affairs correspondent Nick Childs says there is an air of real achievement in Brussels.

But, he says, the compromises over each nation's share of the burden in reaching the targets have yet to be negotiated, meaning the hard decisions may still lie ahead.

'Crucial Issue'

Mr Barroso described the agreement as historic, saying it was the most significant in which he had played a part.

"We can say to the rest of the world, Europe is taking the lead, you should join us in fighting climate change," he said.

We can avoid what could well be a human calamity

Angela Merkel
German Chancellor

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "These are a set of groundbreaking, bold, ambitious targets for the European Union.

"It gives Europe a clear leadership position on this crucial issue facing the world."

Looking ahead to the G8 summit of industrialised nations in June, Mr Blair said the European deal would give "a good chance" of getting the US, China and India on board too.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who chaired the two-day summit, also welcomed the package of binding measures.

HAVE YOUR SAY

The EU deal on climate change is totally unnecessary, given that Man is not causing global warming

Andrew Howlett, Manchester

"I personally am very satisfied and happy that it has been possible to open the door into a whole new dimension of European co-operation in the years to come in the area of energy and combating climate change," she said.

"We can avoid what could well be a human calamity."

The EU plan involves:

A 10% minimum target on the use of bio-fuels in transport by 2020

A commitment to increase use of solar, wind and hydroelectric power

A possible ban on incandescent bulbs - with filaments - in offices, street lights and private homes by the end of the decade

EU officials are working on a directive that would compel the use of modern low-energy fluorescent light bulbs. It could come into force as early as next year.

The Australian government announced similar plans to phase out old-style filament bulbs last month.

Nuclear Concession

The statement on renewable energy sources allows flexibility in how each country contributes to the overall target for the EU.

EU leaders will negotiate on how the overall target is reached

Poorer Eastern European countries, which are more dependent on heavy industry and carbon-heavy coal, had argued they would struggle to make the investment in wind farms and solar power necessary to meet binding targets.

The final text allayed their fears by stating that "differentiated national overall targets" for renewables would be set, "with due regard to a fair and adequate allocation taking account of different national starting points".

In what is viewed as a concession to France, the text recognises the contribution of nuclear energy in "meeting the growing concerns about safety of energy supply and carbon dioxide emissions reductions".

However, it also highlights safety concerns, stating that "nuclear safety and security" should be "paramount in the decision-making process".

It is thought the EU could offer to extend its 20% target for emissions cuts to 30% if other heavy polluters like the US, China and India come on board.

So come on USA, China and India - Make Good Choices !

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Switch Onto Savings US Style!

2007-03-11T10:42:00.000Z

Hello My Friends,

I read with interest that the USA is planning to carry out a plan to have a time switch this year that is set to try and save energy.

Switching to summer time early should help cut energy consumption

The US has switched to daylight saving time, or summer time, three weeks earlier than usual to cut fuel consumption and help the environment.

At 0200 EST (0700 GMT) clocks moved forward by an hour, shifting an hour of daylight from morning to evening.

Summer time will last until 4 November, a week later than in previous years.

The extra four weeks are expected to help cut energy consumption, as demand falls for electricity in the evening if it is still light.

The measure was signed into law two years ago as part of the Energy Policy Act which aims to encourage new energy technologies.

Representatives Edward Markey and Fred Upton, who sponsored the amendment to the original bill, said it was expected to save $4.4bn in energy bills by 2020 and avoid the need to build more than three large electric power plants.

They said it also would save 279 billion cubic feet of natural gas, and avoid nearly 10.8 million metric tons of carbon emissions.

"The change in the beginning of daylight saving time is just one step towards making our country more efficient in its usage of energy and conscious of our environment," Mr Markey said on Wednesday.

"Not only will Americans have more daylight at their disposal for four additional weeks in the year, but we will also see wide energy saving, less crime, fewer traffic fatalities, more recreation time and increased economic activity.

"Ultimately, daylight saving just brings a smile to everybody's faces."

Critics of the measure say the early switch may potentially lead to computer failures and cause minor headaches such as electronic calendars being out of synch, leading to missed appointments.

Canada also advances its clocks this weekend, with all provinces moving forward an hour, except Saskatchewan which does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

USA and Canada - time to Make Good Choices!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Rains Help Cool Barrier Reef & Dead Sea At Risk

2007-03-11T10:26:00.000Z

Gudday Mate! News from Australia

Scientists fear global warming and pollution are harming the reef

Recent torrential rain and monsoons in northern Queensland have provided some rare relief for the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

The poor conditions have significantly reduced ocean temperatures, making them the coolest for up to five years.

It has been a blessing for the corals - usually in the summer they are at risk of serious scorching and bleaching.

The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest living organism, stretching over more than 345,000 sq km.

It is also the world's most protected marine area.

It has been under threat from a combination of global warming, pollution and over-fishing.

Cooler water

Scientists had predicted that this summer would be a tough one for the reef. They feared that extreme heat would scorch the coral.

GREAT BARRIER REEF

More than 2,000 km long

Home to 1,500 types of fish

Only living thing the naked eye can see from space

But recent storms that dumped torrential rain across much of Australia's north-east have brought some unexpected good news.

The region's normally warm seas have been stirred. Jeff Maynard of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority says the water has become cooler.

"This year reef temperatures have shown that temperatures for the majority of the Great Barrier Marine Park are below the long-term averages we see for this time of year," he said.

"So right now we're considering bleaching risks to be low compared to bleaching years like '98 and 2002."

The future, however, still does not look good.

Researchers believe as the world's climate continues to change the bleaching of the coral will become increasingly common.

Bleaching occurs when unusually warm seas cause the organisms that make up the coral to die.

All that is left is a white limestone skeleton.

The Great Barrier Reef is home to 1,500 types of fish and at more than 2,000 km long, it is the only living thing the naked eye can see from space.

Lets hope the rain continues and the bleaching is abated as a result. Theres also news from Israel about the Dead Sea. It would appear that the Dead Sea (the lowest point below regular sea level on Earth) is receding by over one metre per year. In fact when the Ein Gud Spa centre opened 20 years ago, visitors simply had to walk down a few steps into the Dead Sea waters. Now visitors have to take a train ride to step into the sea from the same spa building.

The Dead Sea is fed from the river Jordan which is now more like a trickle by the time it reaches the sea as much of the freshwater is now diverted for agricultural irrigation and drinking water by Syria, Jordan and part of the Lebanon.

Israel have proposed a "peace pipeline" to install a 200km water pipeline to feed water from the Red Sea to prop up the water levels in the Dead Sea. However there are huge potential impacts when considering this solution even before you start to consider the obvious environmental ones. The sea water in the Red Sea contains approx 4gms of salt per litre and the Dead Sea water has around 300mg of salt per litre - so effectively Red Sea water will desalinate the high levels of salt in the Dead Sea changing its balance and also its colour from bright cobalt blue to either brown or red!

I know nothing lives in the Dead Sea but these changes would still be a major environmental impact on another one of our world heritage sites. I guess theres not much choice - either it disappears in our lifetime or it stays but changes forever?

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Navarra Ole!

2007-03-11T10:14:00.000Z

Hello There my Friends,

Hope you are enjoying the UK Spring weather - interesting to note that it has now been confirmed that the amount of air pollution decreases significantly at the weekend therefore making the weather generally better at the beginning of the week. So much for not liking Mondays !

Navarra embraces green energy

By Oana Lungescu
BBC News European Affairs correspondent, Navarra, northern Spain

EU leaders meeting in Brussels have agreed - after tough negotiations - to boost the use of renewable energy in Europe to 20% over the next 13 years.

Navarra is poor in mineral resources, but windy and sunny

At the moment, less than 7% of Europe's needs are covered by wind power, biofuels or solar energy.

But in the Navarra region, in north-eastern Spain, almost 70% of the electricity comes from the wind and the sun.

You do not have to look far in Navarra to see a windmill. Not the sort that Don Quixote fought, but the hi-tech turbines that provide much of the electricity here.

With no coal, oil or gas of its own, this mountainous region deliberately went for renewable energy in the late 1980s.

The first wind farm was built in full view of the regional capital Pamplona, so that people could get used to it.

Now, with some 1,100 windmills dotted all over Navarra, this tiny region is capable of generating more electricity from renewable sources than big EU countries like France or Poland.

Pioneering role

I had a privileged view from the top of one, 80 metres (250 feet) above ground. Going up in a cramped elevator in full security gear, you can feel the windmill swaying gently in the wind as you reach the full height.

Close up, the blades emerge slowly like huge white whales, revealing more rows of windmills on the horizon.

Wind turbines are computer-controlled

From a control centre outside Pamplona, a team of young operators can turn most mills on and off at the click of a mouse, not just in Spain, but as far as South Korea.

When it comes to renewable energy, companies based in Navarra, like Acciona Energia, are world leaders.

Company spokesman Jose Arieta says the company is looking to increase its exports to the United States, Australia, India and China.

"We are going to invest a lot of money in renewables in the world because we are convinced this is a very relevant sector for the future," Mr Arieta says.

Some 100,000 people work in the green energy sector in Spain, with 4,000 new jobs created in Navarra in the last decade.

As many people are now employed making turbines or solar panels as in car manufacturing, Navarra's traditional industry.

Growth sector

The regional industry secretary, Jose Javier Armendariz, says clean energy is overtaking cars as a source of growth.

Schools in Pamplona have their own solar panels

"I don't know how many people will be employed in the car industry in the future, but I can't imagine our future without it," Mr Armendariz says. "However, right now our focus is the development of the renewable energy sector."

The regional government has been supporting wind and solar power for years, as do most people in Navarra.

But environmental activists from a local group called Gurelur, "Our Land" in the Basque language, are concerned.

One of their members, Amparo Lazaro, says Gurelur favours renewable energy, but not at any price.

"The wind parks they have built haven't been put in the right places, so they cause environmental damage, and there are too many for the environmental capacity of Navarra. We don't even recognise the landscape of our region any more," Ms Lazaro complains.

And the landscape keeps changing, although Navarra's focus is shifting from wind power, where national government subsidies are set to fall, to solar energy.

Cheap energy

An hour's drive from Pamplona, next to a village called Milagro, I went to see one of the biggest solar parks in Europe.

On sunny days, the sun doesn't cost us anything

Esteban Garijo, mayor of Milagro

On a field as vast as 50 football pitches, stand row upon row of huge solar panels, tilted to capture as much light as possible.

In a growing trend in Spain, the solar park is a co-operative, with 750 individual owners. The cost of a panel starts at 50,000 euros, but with a tax break from the regional government and a guaranteed annual income there is a long waiting list of willing buyers.

Milagro's mayor Esteban Garijo thinks it is a brilliant investment. "On sunny days, the sun doesn't cost us anything. So not only are we generating clean energy, but we're also making money."

Many in Navarra call it their "solar pension fund", Mr Garijo explains. "They buy a solar panel or two and hope to retire on the profits."

Every generation is playing along. Most schools in Pamplona have their own solar panel, provided by the local town hall.

Every day, the children can learn how much electricity they have fed into the grid and how to save more energy. "We're looking after the Earth", says Suyapa Eguaras, aged 11.

"We are reducing carbon dioxide emissions. At home, I'm also doing other things, like recycling or saving water."

It is the sort of determination and clarity of purpose that Europe's leaders will require in plentiful supply, if they are to take the bold steps needed to fight climate change.

I am working with a North West County Council to help improve the thermal efficiency of some of their large childrens' centres by introducing some traditional and renewable energy technologies to each site. The potential measures that can be introduced include solar thermal, solar PV to generate electricity for the building, ground source heat pumps for space heating and some water heating and possibly wind turbines (but not roof mounted ones) working with some of the top product manufacturers and installers to ensure quality and performance.

I will post regular updates as these projects develop and include pictures of the developments that may also include Sun Pipes and Sola Vents from Monodraught that provide natural light and solar powered ventilation - brilliant products.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend and please come back soon.

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Friends Of The Earth - Get Involved!

2007-02-24T00:21:00.000Z

Hello My Friends - have you contacted your MP yet?

Friends Of The Earth - Make Good Choices!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Dr Rajendram - Results Of NHS Complaints Procedure

2007-02-23T07:55:00.000Z

Hello My Friends

Following the complaint I made to Go To Doc Limited about Dr Rajendram and him prescribing me with anti biotics that contained pencillin despite me telling him on several occasions during the consultation and over the phone that I am allergic to penicillin, Go To Doc undertook an investigation using the standard NHS complaints procedure.

The local free newspaper has published a follow up story detailing that Dr Rajendram now faces an inquiry panel and is still suspended from his GP duties pending this inquiry which is good news for the patients of Go To Doc and Tameside Hospital.

I will post the details here soon.

On a lighter note, I have started to run again in preparation for the Great Run in Manchester in May and I am pleased to say my training is going well but I have suffered a huge tear in my chest wall muscle and the lining of my lungs is still inflamed as a result of the anaphylaxis so I have to take it slowly to ensure I allow my body chance to recover and I just hope that I don't have any permanent damage that might impede my running as I love it so much.

Enjoy your weekend and I look forward to your return visit again soon.

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Drug Error By Dr Rajendram

2007-02-23T07:47:00.000Z

Hello My Friends

Those of you who know me, also know how lucky I was not to die at the start of this year - heres the story that was published in the local free newspaper following my

Published: 10th January 2007

‘Drug error could have killed me’

DEADLY dose: Jayne Taylor was left fighting for life after being prescribed antibiotics she was allergic to.

A WOMAN allergic to penicillin was left fighting for life after a doctor allegedly gave her antibiotics containing the drug.

Jayne Taylor, 37, went into anaphylactic shock after being treated by the emergency GP. He worked for out-of-hours medical service Go To Doc.

She claims to have told him four times she was allergic to penicillin before it was prescribed.

The GP, Dr Saddanather Rajendram, has since been suspended pending an inquiry.

David Beckett, Go To Doc chief executive, said: "We have withdrawn any shifts available to Dr Rajendram due to the nature of the allegations. We are following our complaints procedure and are working to gather evidence from all parties involved."

Ms Taylor’s nightmare began on New Year’s Day when, unable to shake off a heavy cold and rattling cough, she phoned NHS Direct. A nurse put her in touch with Go To Doc in Stockport Road, Ashton — an out-of-hours surgery for patients in Tameside — and told her to await a call.

Dr Rajendram phoned and told Ms Taylor to attend the surgery immediately. She claims he asked if she was allergic to anything, to which she replied penicillin.

She arrived 30 minutes later, wheezing and short of breath.

She said: "After listening to my lungs he told me I had severe bronchitis."

Ms Taylor claims Dr Rajendram handed her two capsules to ease the symptoms overnight and made out a prescription for antibiotics.

Ms Taylor, who runs her own business, added: "The next day I began to deteriorate. By 3.30pm I felt like I was drowning and couldn’t breathe. Then I suddenly noticed on the box that the antibiotics were amoxicillin and contained penicillin. I was aghast.

"I phoned my parents who were there in minutes but by then I had collapsed on the stairs and was turning blue."

Paramedics arrived and immediately injected her with a lifesaving shot of adrenaline. They confirmed she was suffering from anaphylactic shock. She was taken to hospital and put on steroids, adrenaline, anti-histamine and oxygen. She added: "I’m slowly recovering but if this had happened to an elderly person I doubt they’d have survived."

Adam Derbyshire

First published by the Tameside Advertiser

From Your Very Lucky To Be Alive Friend The Energy Angel

2007-02-23T07:40:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends

I hope you well and enjoying our Spring like weather - its lovely hearing the birds singing in the mornings. We have a blackbird that sits on our TV aerial and sings his little heart out - its beautiful.

News of a political nature - Michael Meacher who I met when the Oldham MBC Fuel Poverty Strategy was launched in 2005 and who is a keen advocate of energy efficiency has entered the Labour leader race. The BBC reports that the veteran MP and former minister has launched a challenge to Gordon Brown for the Labour leadership and promises a left-wing agenda.

Mr Meacher said there should be a debate on Labour's future directio

Mr Meacher called for Trident nuclear weapons to be scrapped, huge investment in renewable energy, curbs on City bonuses and nationalisation of the railways.

Michael claims to have enough MPs' support to get onto the ballot and insists he has a chance of winning.

Fellow left-wing leadership contender John McDonnell said he would fight on.

"We have been expecting Michael's announcement for over nine months. It doesn't change things," said Mr McDonnell, who began his campaign last July.

Government critic

There is also speculation Mr Meacher's challenge will flush out a Blairite leadership contender from the Cabinet ranks.

Mr Meacher is one of Labour's longest-serving MPs, having had ministerial jobs in the Wilson and Callaghan governments of the 1970s.

Since being sacked as an environment minister in 2003, he has been a vocal critic of the government, particularly on its environment policy.

It is not sustainable to continue as America's glove puppet

Michael Meacher

The Oldham West and Royton MP was flanked by Ian Gibson and Kelvin Hopkins, two prominent backbenchers from the Labour left, as he launched what he said was a "centre-left" bid for the leadership.

He said Labour members deserved a say in the party's future direction and insisted it was not a "foregone conclusion" that Gordon Brown would be the next prime minister.

He called for a new direction on foreign policy, which he said should be "based on fundamental British interests, not subservience to the US".

He added: "It is not sustainable to continue as America's glove puppet."

'Biggest mistake'

He also called for the renationalisation of the railways, a "profound change" in our way of life to combat climate change, and he said the national minimum wage should be raised to £7 an hour.

He also hit back at criticism from Mr McDonnell over his support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

"The biggest political mistake of my life was over the Iraq war. I believed the prime minister when he said there was a growing and imminent threat," said Mr Meacher.

It's a pity because, frankly, he's going to get humiliated

Stephen Pound

He said some of Mr Blair's comments in the run up to war "stretched the truth".

Mr Meacher's campaign claims to have the backing of "about 30" Labour MPs, although he said he was not prepared to name them at this stage.

Leadership candidates need 45 signatures from Labour MPs to get on to the ballot.

But Labour MP Stephen Pound, who described Mr Meacher as a "faintly ridiculous" figure, said he would be surprised if the veteran left-winger managed to get the required support.

The chancellor is the favourite to succeed Mr Blair

"It's a pity because, frankly, he's going to get humiliated," said the Ealing North MP.

"I suspect he knows that, if he put his ego to one side a bit he would realise that."

BBC political editor Nick Robinson said some Labour MPs would welcome a contest and Gordon Brown himself might prefer a contest to a "coronation", as it would give his leadership more of a mandate.

But asked whether a contest would be in the best interests of the Labour Party on Thursday, Mr Brown replied: "That's up to other people".

He welcomed any debate about the future of the party and said: "The key thing is making our country great in the future by making the right decisions now."

I have asked Michael to come on board with our campaign, but he's chosen to go his own way

Left-wing leadership challenger John McDonnell

Mr McDonnell, who will be competing with Mr Meacher for left-wing Labour backing, said he had the support of about 22 MPs, and would not drop out of the race.

He said Labour members would judge the candidates on their records, and while he had voted against tuition fees, the Iraq war, privatisation and benefit cuts, Mr Brown and Mr Meacher had consistently voted for them.

"I have asked Michael to come on board with our campaign, but he's chosen to go his own way. Now let's have the debate on policies and the election and let the members decide," he said.

Asked whether his challenge might split the left and leave neither able to take on the chancellor, Mr Meacher said he did not think Mr McDonnell could get the necessary number of nominations.

"I firmly believe that I can, and to that extent, I am putting the left into the ring and I think and hope I am uniting the left rather than splitting it."

I guess Mr McDonnell or his supporters wouldnt necessarily agree?

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Consultation: Planning Policy Statement - Climate Change

2007-02-22T08:18:00.000Z

Hello My Friends

I would encourage all my RSL and Local Authority friends to take part in this consultation particularly as the end document may shape future new build strategy.

Summary:

This consultation seeks views and comments on a draft planning policy statement (PPS) 'Planning and Climate Change'. The PPS, sets out how planning, in providing for the new homes, jobs and infrastructure needed by communities, should help shape places with lower carbon emissions and resilient to the climate change now accepted as inevitable. When finalised, the PPS will supplement Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development.

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Happy Anniversary Kyoto

2007-02-22T08:14:00.000Z

Hello My Friends, Sorry a bit late with this one:

Friday 16 February 2007 16:26
Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)

Kyoto anniversary: Miliband welcomes globe agreement

David Miliband has today, on the second anniversary of the coming into force of the Kyoto Protocol, welcomed the agreement reached by global legislators at a key climate change conference in Washington.

Parliamentarians from developed and developing countries agreed to an ambitious statement on the need for international agreement on climate change - and for that agreement to be in place by 2009 at the latest.

UK Environment Secretary Mr Miliband said:

"This is a significant statement from politicians not just in countries like the UK and Germany, but from the US and rapidly developing economies such as China and India. GLOBE's statement delivers a strong message to the meeting of G8 Heads of State in June and I hope it will help unblock the political logjam.

"We need negotiations to begin in earnest at the Bali Climate Change Conference in December this year and for international agreement to be reached by 2009 at the latest. 2007 needs to be the year when the politics starts to catch with the science and economics of climate change - with faster action in all of our countries, and renewed momentum in the drive for agreed action between our countries."

Also today Mr Miliband announced that the UK will in June host a meeting of key experts and businesspeople which will investigate how a low-carbon society can be achieved. The workshop forms part of a key Japan UK collaboration project on low carbon societies.

Announcing the workshop, Mr Miliband said:

"Low-carbon societies, in which energy efficient homes and green transport are likely to become the norm, will be a key feature of a climate friendly future and this workshop will provide valuable input into how this can be achieved."

Japanese Environment Minister Mr Masatoshi Wakabayashi said:

"For the sake of future generations, we need to start moving now towards low carbon societies. The second workshop has a very ambitious agenda. I hope a wide range of participants will provide valuable knowledge and insight about how to achieve low carbon societies."

Jim Skea, Research Director of the UK Energy Research Centre and co-Chair of the workshop series said:

"The first Japan-UK Low Carbon workshop made tremendous strides in establishing that the vision of a low carbon society was achievable, and that it could be reconciled with the development needs of a range of countries.

"Since then strong and active collaboration between UK, Japanese and other researchers has been established. Building on their efforts, the second workshop in London will begin the important task of identifying how the low carbon vision can be achieved and what actions will be needed".

Arup, the global design and businesses consultancy, who are currently designing the world's first sustainable city in Dongtan in China, will present its illustrations of what a low carbon society in 2050 could look like at the June meeting. The key design aspects of its work in Dongtan include:

* The bulk of energy needs supplied from renewable sources such as wind turbines, bio-fuels and the recycling of organic material.

* Waste from homes and businesses will be recycled and organic waste will be composted or used to generate energy through biomass.

* Energy use will be cut by up to 70% through the use of traditional and innovative building technologies. Green roofs on buildings could improve insulation as well as water filtration.

* And solar powered water taxis or hydrogen fuel-cell buses could be developed as means of travelling around these new communities.
Notes to editors

1. The UK workshop will be help on the 13-15 June 2007. The workshop will develop the concept of a low carbon society and look at the practicalities of how they can be achieved.

2. The UK/Japan joint research project on a low carbon society was announced on 16 February 2006. The results of the work will feed into the Gleneagles Dialogue. Further details can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2006/060216a.htm

3. The first workshop on 'Developing Visions for a Low-Carbon Society through Sustainable Development' was held from June 2006 in Tokyo. The report of the first workshop, which included a definition of a Low-Carbon Society (LCS), was presented to the G8 Dialogue meeting in Mexico in October 2006.

Looks like Australia is Making Good Choices - banning regular light bulbs in favour of the CFLs is a smart move even if the Australians have sufficient fossil fuel resources to take their country through the next 300-500 years! Crikey Sheila stick another CFL in the lampshade!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Tipping Point

2007-02-16T08:39:00.000Z

Hello My Friends,

Politicians sign new climate pact

The climate debate is over, said US presidential candidate John McCain

Leading international politicians have reached a new agreement on tackling climate change, at a Washington summit.

Delegates agreed that developing countries will have to face targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions as well as rich countries.

The informal meeting also agreed that a global market should be formed to cap and trade carbon dioxide emissions.

The non-binding declaration is seen as vital in influencing a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol, correspondents say.

The forum's closing statement said man-made climate change was now "beyond doubt".

"Climate change is a global issue and there is an obligation on us all to take action, in line with our capabilities and historic responsibilities," said the statement from the Global Legislators Organisation for a Balanced Environment (Globe).

'Tipping point'

The two-day meeting brought together legislators from countries including the Group of Eight rich nations, plus Brazil, China, India, Mexico and South Africa.

Climate science: what's new?

Hard bargaining for deal

The BBC's environment analyst Roger Harrabin was at the meeting and says that although the declaration carries no formal weight, it indicates a real change in mood.

The legislators agreed that developing countries had to face targets on greenhouse gas emissions, in the same way rich countries do.

They said they wanted a successor to the Kyoto Protocol - which expires in 2012 - in place by 2009.

US senator Joe Lieberman forecast that the US Congress would enact a law on cutting emissions by the end of next year, possibly this year.

And presidential candidate John McCain, who is co-sponsoring climate legislation with Mr Lieberman, was emphatic on the need for new initiatives.

"I am convinced that we have reached the tipping point and that the Congress of the United States will act, with the agreement of the administration," he told the forum.

But Dr John Holdren, the head of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), said President George W Bush needed to appreciate that the US economy would not suffer unnecessarily if emission were capped.

"The economic damage from not addressing climate change is much larger than the economic cost of addressing it," he said.

Canada re-opens Kyoto row

Meanwhile, the Canadian parliament moved to force the government to meet its Kyoto Protocol target for reducing emissions.

The ruling Conservative party argues that meeting the target, of reducing emissions by 6% from 1990 levels by the period 2008-2012, is impossible.

The parliamentary vote gives the government 60 days to formulate a plan for getting back on track.

With United Nations climate negotiations in November failing to agree a timetable for mandating new cuts in emissions when the current Kyoto targets expire in 2012, the British-led Globe set up the Washington meeting in the hope of stimulating progress in a less formal setting.

The UN's panel on climate change said earlier this month that higher global temperatures caused by man-made pollution would melt polar ice, worsen floods and droughts and cause more devastating storms.

John McCain and Joe Lieberman - Making Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Eaga Announcement

2007-02-11T12:35:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

This is directly taken from the Eaga website - please note that I have not added to removed any text. Moreover this is included for information only for my visitors.

Eaga announces intention to seek adminission to trading on the official list of The London Stock Exchange

Eaga (the Company), the UK market leader in the delivery of residential energy efficiency solutions, today announces its intention to seek admission to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange in 2007.

Eaga has a proven track record in delivering outsourced programmes aimed at eradicating fuel poverty in vulnerable households. In recent years eaga has diversified its offering to become a significant provider of household energy efficiency measures under the Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC), and is a significant player in the local authority and social housing sector. eaga has developed a scalable infrastructure upon which it intends to capitalise on the substantial opportunities that management expects to exist in government and outsourcing, domestic energy efficiency, and social housing markets going forward.

Brewin Dolphin Securities has been appointed as Sponsor and Broker to the Company. The flotation is intended to be achieved by means of placing of shares to institutional investors.

Eaga has delivered energy efficiency measures to over 5 million UK homes, lifted several million vulnerable people out of fuel poverty. Every day eaga improves insulation in over 500 homes. The company also fits or repairs a central heating system every minute of every working day.

Management, led by Chief Executive John Clough, has an excellent track record which has seen revenues increase from inception in 1990 to a current year forecast of £500m. Excellent profit growth and cash generation has enabled eaga to achieve impressive organic growth. In recent years this has been supplemented by key acquisitions that have increased eaga’s delivery capability, broadened its market exposure, and further enhanced eaga’s profitability.

Commenting on the announcement, John Clough, Chief Executive, said:

“We are pleased to announce the intended flotation of eaga. Over the last sixteen years we have built a very successful business and are now the UK’s largest provider of residential energy efficiency solutions. We have been providing end-to-end solutions to serious environmental and social issues such as the elimination of fuel poverty for many years. We are now an emerging force in providing solutions to climate change challenges. The proposed flotation will provide the company with the financial flexibility required to fund the next phase of growth. It will also enable some of the existing shareholders (principally the Employee Benefit Trust) to realise a proportion of their respective investments.”

eaga’s future revenue prospects are strongly supported by the Government’s environmental, energy and social policy commitments. eaga plans to extend its services to become a leading residential infrastructure service provider by broadening its local authority and social housing offering, extending its aftercare services and able to pay central heating offering and capturing further government and outsourcing delivery opportunities.

Enquiries:

Eaga

John Clough, Eaga Chief Executive
James Grugeon, Eaga Communications Director

0191 350 6531

Brewin Dolphin

Graeme Summers
Andrew Kitchingman

0191 279 7531
0113 241 0187

Tulchan Communications

Dominic Fry

020 7353 4200

Notes to editors:

Introduction

Eaga is a UK market leader in the delivery of residential improvements in the environmental, energy efficiency and social justice arenas. eaga’s core focus is working with government, local authorities and utility companies to lower carbon emissions, combat fuel poverty and reduce energy consumption. The work undertaken is principally focussed on the housing and social needs of low income and vulnerable households.
eaga is based on a partnership structure and is 100% employee owned by two employee trusts (eaga has two Employee Benefits Trusts (EBT) which sit at the head of the employee owned partnership, holding shares in trust for the benefit of all partners). The company has grown rapidly in recent years, building strong relationships with its customers by:

developing a leading position as a significant deliverer of UK governments’ fuel poverty programmes, underpinned by over 15 years’ experience of dealing with the most vulnerable groups in society;
working closely with utility companies to support delivery of their Energy Efficiency Commitment (under the Energy Efficiency Commitment electricity and gas suppliers are required to achieve targets for the promotion of improvements in domestic energy efficiency);and
undertaking key strategic actions to broaden activities throughout the energy efficiency and home services supply chain, further embedding eaga as an integrated supplier in its chosen markets, in particular the social housing sector.

eaga’s portfolio of products and services covers the provision of energy surveys and advice, allocation and administration of energy efficiency funding, installation of central heating systems, cavity wall and loft insulation, renewable energy and a number of other ancillary products and services, including insurance-backed aftercare provision.

Key Strengths

The Directors believe that eaga is in an excellent position to pursue the significant opportunities developing in the environmental, energy efficiency and social justice arenas, principally due to the following:

eaga has a strong and trusted reputation in both the public and private sectors as an established and successful operator;
eaga is led by a highly experienced management team;
eaga has a strong visibility of earnings, with an order book currently standing at £1.5 billion, arising from a number of significant contracts in both the fuel poverty and social housing sectors;
eaga’s leading position in a largely fragmented installation marketplace makes the Company well-positioned to take advantage of attractive consolidation opportunities;
eaga’s national delivery infrastructure is well established and provides a barrier to potential new market entrants;
over £7.2 million has been invested in developing eaga’s industry leading IT systems and infrastructure over the last 2 years. This IT platform has not only provided the business with scalability it has also been recognised by the National Audit Office as an example of best practice and would therefore allow scope for diversification into new business areas; and
eaga has a strong financial track record of growth with excellent profits and significant cash generation.

Proposed Placing

The proposed placing will raise proceeds on behalf of existing shareholders, principally the Employee Benefit Trusts.

History

eaga was established in 1990 as a privately-owned company, the Energy Action Grants Agency Limited, to lead Government funded efforts to improve the living conditions of vulnerable people living in cold, damp and energy inefficient homes. John Clough has been Chief Executive of eaga since 1990.

Until 2004, the business developed largely organically through focus on market penetration and diversification as new market opportunities were identified. Late 2004 and early 2005 saw a change in the development of eaga, marked in particular by the successful re-tender for Warm Front.

This was followed by the acquisition in April 2005 of Mico Group, a leading insulation services provider, which complemented eaga’s existing business, enabling it to become integrated into the supply chain and gain a foothold in the EEC market as a leading UK installer of residential insulation products.

The business continued to expand and in May 2006 acquired Everwarm Group, Scotland’s largest installer of domestic insulation and an installer of central heating systems.

eaga started a pilot scheme in 2003 to develop an in-house central heating installation business, which was further developed to deliver heating systems under the most recent Warm Front contract from early 2005. Since the beginning of 2005, eaga has developed its central heating installation capacity organically from a zero base to around 300 installation engineers generating turnover of approximately £36 million.

In December 2006, eaga sought to build on its internal skills base and build its position as a major player in the social housing heating sector through the acquisitions of; White Horse Group, whose major trading arm is HEAT, and of JD Heating. HEAT specialises in the design, installation and maintenance of domestic central heating in the social housing market sector within Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. JD Heating specialises in servicing and installing domestic central heating systems in the West Midlands. These two acquisitions together have doubled the size of eaga’s heating operation.

In addition to these key strategic acquisitions, eaga has also completed a number of smaller complementary acquisitions and strategic alliances with the aim of driving profitability and further strengthening market position. This has included the acquisition in November 2005 of an insurance intermediary business authorised by the Financial Services Authority.

It is intended in due course that the Company will review its brand strategy across the UK with a view to streamlining the range of identities under which it currently trades.
eaga is now structured into three core sectors, Government Contracts, Installation Services and Specialist Support Services, comprising six divisions: Government Contracts, Heating, Home Services, Specialist Business Services, Shared Services and Insurance.

Board of Directors

Executive Directors

John Clough MBE, Chief Executive (aged 47)

John has been Chief Executive of eaga since the business was established in 1990 having previously worked in strategic management positions with British Coal. Under his direction, the Company has grown to become a leader in providing services to environmental, energy efficiency and social justice challenges. eaga has become a trusted supply partner to local and national governments and energy utilities throughout the UK.

John has led the strategic development of eaga, broadening its core service and installation offerings, transforming its financial performance and provoking significant sustainable growth in both the public and private sectors. John’s vision has led to a culture which engages with its employees and drives performance and service commitment. He is a member of the government’s ‘Fuel Poverty Advisory Group’, the CBI’s national ‘Public Service Strategy Board’, the Government’s panel on ‘Transformational Government for Older People’ and a founder trustee of the independent eaga Charitable Trust.

Ian McLeod, Finance Director (aged 38)

Ian joined eaga in 2004, joining the Board in early 2005. He is responsible for all aspects of financial management and reporting across eaga and works closely with Drew Johnson in delivering eaga’s inorganic growth strategy.
Ian spent 14 years with PricewaterhouseCoopers prior to joining eaga, during which time he gained extensive experience in advising many different companies across a broad range of market sectors. Latterly during his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ian supported blue chip organisations in undertaking complex M&A transactions, working closely with a major plc in effecting inorganic restructuring of its retail arm from 2002 onwards.

Drew Johnson, Commercial Director (aged 47)

Drew joined eaga in 1991, having previously been with British Coal in supply chain management and logistics. He was appointed to eaga’s Board in 1999 and has subsequently held a number of executive positions in operations and in business and commercial development.
Drew has responsibility for eaga’s commercial strategy, focussing on the identification, development and delivery of opportunities for both organic and inorganic growth. He has been instrumental in diversifying eaga’s operations and transforming profitability.

Dave Routledge, Organisational Development Director (aged 47)

Dave joined eaga in 2002 and was appointed to the Board in 2004. He is responsible for strategic organisational development, HR, IT, service excellence, corporate and government affairs.

Prior to joining eaga, Dave acquired his own strategic consultancy business working with blue chip clients. In that capacity, Dave worked as advisor to the eaga Board and developed the strategy for corporate restructure. Dave previously held main Board level responsibilities for human resources and operations within the pharmaceutical sector. He has experience of company restructuring in the UK, USA and Europe and was part of a management buy-out team backed by HSBC (Montague Private Equity). He then worked with Credit Suisse First Boston to deliver the successful IPO of the business on NASDAQ .

Non Executive Directors

Charles Berry, Non Executive Chairman (aged 54)

Charles joined eaga’s Board in 2005 as a Non Executive Director and was appointed Chairman in June 2006. He is also Chairman of the Nomination Committee.

He has extensive experience within the UK power sector; he was appointed to the Board of Scottish Power in 1999 and was Chief Executive of the company’s UK operations with responsibility for power generation as well as trading business, energy retailing and strategic transactions such as renewables and development. Charles is currently a Non Executive Director of Securities Trust of Scotland plc and Drax Group plc. Prior to joining Scottish Power, he was Group Development Director of Norwest Holst, a subsidiary of Compagnie Générale des Eaux, and has held executive management positions with responsibility for technical, business development and marketing within subsidiaries of Pilkington plc.

Michael Roberts OBE, Non Executive Director and Deputy Chairman (aged 69)

Michael joined eaga’s Board in 1999 as a Non Executive Director, and served as Chairman until 2006 becoming Deputy Chairman in June 2006.

Michael is a past president of the Institute of Energy and is both well known and respected in the energy efficiency world. Michael has broad ranging senior executive experience, having served in PA Consulting and Shell.

Michael runs his own energy management consultancy business and has particular experience in setting up energy management services for the government estate, local authorities, public service bodies and private sector companies.
During the period of Michael’s chairmanship, he has overseen the transition of eaga in terms of growth of revenue, people and profits. Michael chairs the Remuneration Committee and also sits on the Audit Committee.

Richard Burns, Senior Independent Non Executive Director (aged 48)

Richard is senior partner in the corporate practice of international law firm, Hammonds. During his 25 years with the firm, he has developed particular expertise advising on national and international mergers and acquisitions, flotations and the raising of equity finance. Within Hammonds, Richard has responsibility for the firm’s corporate governance practice globally and has advised companies and addressed conferences on the various codes of governance which apply in the UK, Europe and in the US.

Richard is Senior Independent Non Executive Director and sits on the Audit Committee, the Remuneration Committee and the Nomination Committee.

Quintin Oliver, Non Executive Director (aged 50)

Quintin lives and works in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He leads Stratagem, the first dedicated lobbying and public affairs company to emerge after the peace process development around Good Friday 1998; he ran the successful cross-party ‘YES’ Campaign for the subsequent referendum.

Quintin has worked in the public sector (as Welfare Rights Adviser to Strathclyde Regional Council, 1977-1984), in the voluntary sector (as CEO of the N. Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, 1985-1998) and now in the private sector leading Strategem. He has wide European experience (founder of the European, Youth Forum, 1976 and first President of the European Anti-Poverty Network, 1991-1995). He is also experienced in the development of social inclusion policies, and works extensively on the Middle East peace process.

Quintin is a member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committees.

Malcolm Simpson, Non Executive Director (aged 65)

Malcolm joined Greggs plc in 1973, becoming Finance Director in 1975. In this capacity, Malcolm oversaw a period of strong growth as the company expanded both organically and by acquisition and achieved flotation on the London Stock Exchange. Malcolm was also responsible for the company’s compliance with corporate governance regulations and risk management. Prior to joining Greggs, Malcolm trained as a chartered accountant with Peat Marwick Mitchell and spent time at Procter and Gamble. Malcolm handed over the finance role in 2006 and is currently Executive Director with responsibility for IT.

Malcolm is Chairman of the Audit Committee.

Notice ends...

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Pensioner Fuel Bills A Disgrace

2007-02-11T12:05:00.000Z

Pensioner fuel bills 'a disgrace'

By Paul Lewis
BBC Radio 4's Money Box

One in five elderly respondents said there were in fuel poverty

Half of Britain's pensioners are said to be cutting back on other things to pay annual fuel bills averaging £1,100.

A survey by energy comparison website uSwitch indicated that two million over-60s spent more than a tenth of their income on fuel.

One in five were concerned their health would suffer as electricity and gas price rises outstripped pensions.

Experts warn the government may not meet its pledge that every pensioner could afford a warm home by 2010.

We need action now to put an end to this national disgrace

Ann Robinson, uSwitch

uSwitch's consumer policy director Ann Robinson told BBC Radio 4's Money Box programme: "The government will not meet its target for taking vulnerable people out of fuel poverty by 2010.

"Even with the price cuts we are seeing there are still going to be well over a million who can't afford a warm home.

"That is why we need action now to put an end to this national disgrace."

Money Box listener Paulene explained how she coped.

"I have it on the lowest, lowest temperature I possibly can for a little bit in the evening," she said.

"My children tell me how cold my house is. I don't even like cooking and using all that gas. I'd rather quickly warm food up in the microwave.

"It's a worry at the back of your mind all the time."

Superhuman effort

The chairman of the government's own Fuel Poverty Advisory Group, Peter Lehmann, agrees that the government will find it tough to meet its target.

"2010 is only three years away," he told the programme.

"You can't put in enough energy efficiency measures in time. Therefore as well as stepping up these measures, prices must be reduced for vulnerable groups and a superhuman effort made to improve the take-up of existing benefits such as Pension Credit."

In the uSwitch survey, carried out by pollsters ICM, one in five elderly respondents were in fuel poverty, defined by the government as spending at least 10% of their income on fuel bills.

HAVE YOUR SAY

The winter fuel allowance should be means-tested

Peter, Leeds

Nearly one in three (30%) were cutting back on essentials to pay their bills, and nearly one in four (23%) were turning down the temperature to keep their bills down.

In 2001 the government published a legally binding "Fuel Poverty Strategy" which committed it to eradicating fuel poverty for vulnerable groups including pensioners by 2010.

In a statement the Department for Food and Rural Affairs admitted that more than three million people were still in fuel poverty and that "the attainment of our fuel poverty targets by the dates set out... remains very challenging".

The point is that it should not be "very challenging" at all - if David, Ian and the rest of the Defra team got their act together about EEC3, supported Ofgem more (why is it that if wholesale gas prices have gone down by 35% plus but the consumer is only offered a 17% cut in their gas bill) and actually selected a main contractor/programme manager for the Warm Front scheme that wasn't allowed to profit so hugely from a grant scheme that is there primarily to assist vulnerable groups (let alone award itself up to 33% of the installations at harmonised labour rates that are frankly ludicrous).

It is really easy to take cost out an over-complex supply chain and its certainly not rocket science to implement some really and simple cost effective, basic changes that would save on cost and free up more grant money to help more vulnerable people.

With regards to the Warm Front Rebate scheme, why didnt Defra allow the EEAC's to manage this funding pot ? Why give it to a managing agent that is then going to charge £50 per job as a processing fee - charged to the installers but ultimately the contractors will simply add this cost to their quote on a scheme that is aimed solely at the over 60s populus?

Despite the BBC Watchdog reports and campaigning by various Groups including the NEA and EST, STILL the Warm Front grant installers are not allowed to provide the materials for the Warm Front heating grant work that they generate.

The Managing Agent for the Warm Front scheme is apparently instructed to procure all its equipment for heating works for Warm Front via the Plumb Centres rather than being able to purchase direct with the actual manufacturers. I understand that there needs to be a network for supply and storage but within the approved contractors there is certainly sufficient warehousing and an existing infrastructure that can more than adequately support the programme and take unnecessary cost out of the process?

The same Managing Agent has now announced its intention to float on the LSE ! Full details direct from the Eaga website to follow.

There comes a time when organisations need to be brought to account and prevented from being allowed to take advantage of their position. Is there anyone able to bring such companies to account? The entire existing end-to-end process currently appears to be littered with arrogance and complacency and no one seems to be monitoring the monster that is coming over the hill?

Perhaps consumers and people of worth and influence should simply start to "vote with their feet"?

Make Good Choices David and Co - stop making mistakes with expert advice and finger pointing and take some personal responsiblity for a change - the buck stops with you.

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Barack Obama

2007-02-11T11:45:00.000Z

Hello My Friends,

I hope you are well and enjoying your weekend. I don't know if any of you follow the USA Election trail but it would appear that a newcomer has announced his intention to run for Presidency alongside Hillary and Rudy.

Barack Obama is an Illinois civil rights lawyer and Senator who seems to talk more sense than most of us have heard about how politics in the States (and possibly here in the UK too) could and should be operated.

He openly admits that he is new to the ways of Washington - and says that perhaps that is a good thing as he can look at things objectively and not be brainwashed or tainted by the current regime and processes.

I have watched Barack's campaign speech and found it very impressive and I was particularly touched by his humbleness and his honesty and that he passionately believes that his country can change and people can make a difference which is after all the issue that is right at the heart of a democratic process.

I will watch Barack's progress with interest and I like this man's principles and his approach to the issues that face Americans and also touch our lives here in the UK and in other countries too. I especially like Barack's attitude to the climate change issue and his advocacy of investing in new renewable and alternative energy technologies, ethanol included, and the priority to reduce CO2 emissions in the US and to ensure that they are amongst the leaders in the forefront to develop new technology and employment in these new, vitally important and emerging markets.

You could not get further away from Bush and his administration if you tried - and moving away from their influence and poor strategy (or non existant strategy where the environment is concerned) is truly about Making Good Choices!

http://www.barackobama.com/#

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Blackpool MBH Tenants Meeting

2007-02-08T12:58:00.000Z

Hello My Friends - especially those living in Blackpool ! The MBH Tenants Association are holding a meeting this evening and invite everyone living in the area to attend:

OPEN MEETING

Thursday 8th February

STARTS AT 6:30PM

WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR HOUSING PROBLEMS?
WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE "ALMO"?
WANT TO DISCUSS SHELTERED HOUSING MANAGEMENT?
JUST WANT TO HAVE A GOOD OLD CHIN-WAG?

THEN COME ALONG TO THE MEETING AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

ALL WELCOME

COME AND HAVE A CHAT WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS
THEIR PROBLEMS ARE PROBABLY YOUR PROBLEMS
•

TEA/COFFEE & BISCUITS

I think judging by the local weather they may need to provide some hot soup as well tonight!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Blackpool Council & Housing Corporation Milestone

2007-02-08T12:44:00.000Z

Blackpool Council becomes the North's first local authority to sign housing protocol agreement with the Housing Corporation

Housing Corporation News Release

Blackpool Council becomes the North's first local authority to sign housing protocol agreement with the Housing Corporation

Blackpool Council has become the first local authority in the North of England to sign a housing protocol agreement with the Housing Corporation. This important milestone will bring together the resources and skills of both national and local organisations to deliver affordable housing across Blackpool.

The Housing Corporation is the Government agency responsible for investing in new affordable homes and regulating over 1,500 housing association across Britain. Its biggest ever investment programme of £3.9 billion, for 2006-08, will fund 84,000 homes. 49,000 of these will be for affordable rent and 35,000 will be for affordable sale through the Government's new HomeBuy initiative, helping people to get a foot on the property ladder.

Based on a national protocol agreed between the Local Government Association and the Corporation, the housing protocols set out how the Corporation and local authorities will work together to deliver a common vision of affordable homes within strong communities, reflecting local priorities.

Jon Rouse, Housing Corporation Chief Executive said, "I am delighted that Blackpool Council has become the first local authority in the North to officially sign up to our protocol agreement.

"Local government has a pivotal role to play in the delivery of affordable housing at a local level. The Housing Corporation recognises the importance of this key leadership role and is committed to working in partnership to help meet local housing need.

"This protocol with Blackpool Council, and the others we are signing across the country, will play an important role in the delivery of more and better affordable housing in places where people want to live now and in the future."

The protocol has been developed over the last three months and will look at working more closely with a range of local key stakeholders including developers, planners, landlords of both social and private homes and supported housing providers.

Cllr Eddie Collett, Cabinet Member for Tourism and Regeneration at Blackpool Council said, “I am delighted that we are the first Council in the North to sign this important protocol. It demonstrates the priority we place on making more affordable housing a reality for Blackpool, and in areas where local people want to live.

“Working with the Housing Corporation demonstrates our commitment and also enables the Council to drive forward our housing agenda.”

Priority actions will include making the best use of land in delivering new housing, regeneration and renewal, and increased working to promote the Respect agenda.

Cllr Sue Wright, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing said, “This protocol will be a very valuable tool in enabling Blackpool to move forward in developing positive outcomes for the local community. Promoting and maintaining decent homes is a key objective for this Council and in partnership with the Corporation we can now ensure we create supported housing to meet the needs of our local community."

As part of this process Blackpool Council and the Corporation will work closely with housing associations and residents to review the quality of housing services provided. An exciting area of this agenda will be to look at ways of more directly involving residents and housing associations in the development and management of neighbourhoods and community facilities ensuring an integrated approach to housing and sustainable communities.

Blackpool Council Making Good Choices!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Energy Wasters' League

2007-02-08T10:17:00.000Z

Hello My Friends,

A recent report from a survey undertaken across five of Europe's most populous nations suggests that the UK 'tops energy wasters league'.

Any device with a remote consumes electricity when on standby

Britons are the worst energy wasters in Europe with bad habits which could cost £11bn by 2010.

Leaving mobile phone chargers plugged in, appliances on standby and lights on are among their most common failings.

If the levels of wastage continue, an extra 43m tonnes of carbon dioxide will be pumped into the atmosphere by then, the Energy Saving Trust said.

It interviewed 5,000 people in the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

Figures in the Habits of a Lifetime report, commissioned to mark the start of Energy Saving Week, said 71% of UK consumers admit to leaving standby buttons on once a week.

Meanwhile, 65% of UK consumers leave chargers on once a week and 63% forget to switch the lights off when leaving the room.

ENERGY WASTERS' LEAGUE

1. UK

2. Italy

3. France

4. Spain

5. Germany

Source: Energy Saving Trust

The comparison with German consumers, who top the energy efficiency league, reveals major differences.

Britons leave chargers on three times as much as Germans, they leave standby buttons on twice as much and forget to switch off lights four times as much.

Almost half (48%) of Britons admit to using the car for short journeys rather than public transport, walking or cycling.

The Spanish were said to be the next most efficient users of energy after Germany, followed by France and Italy.

Gender gap

Philip Sellwood, EST chief executive, said: "As a result of this research, we are calling on the nation to undertake a series of daily habit-changing actions during energy saving week.

As a result of this research, we are calling on the nation to undertake a series of daily habit-changing actions during Energy Saving Week

Philip Sellwood, EST chief executive

TV 'sleep' button accused

"It is clear from the study we can't band everyone as 'a consumer'. The aim will be to galvanise the nation into breaking their energy habits one by one."

Within the UK, a number of interesting statistics emerged concerning age and gender.

Both men and women admitted about 32 energy wasting actions per week although 20% of males felt no guilt compared with 9% of the opposite sex.

Mild guilt

The survey found 27% of those aged 65 and over felt no guilt about the energy they use and its impact on the local environment.

WASTEFUL HABITS

Leaving devices on standby

Leaving chargers plugged in

Forgetting to turn off lights

According to interviews with their parents, 72% of children aged 16 and under regularly leave the lights on and almost two-thirds always leave computers, TVs and stereos on standby.

However, about a quarter of 18 to 24-year-olds do feel moderately guilty about the impact their energy use has on the environment.

More than half of those surveyed (57%) said they would support the government introducing "environmental health" warnings on products which are not energy efficient while 49% believe more advice on energy efficiency should be available.

'Rising emissions'

Friends of the Earth, meanwhile, has called on more action from the government on climate change.

"We're not going to save the world by turning our TVs off standby," said the lobby group's parliamentary campaigner Martyn Williams.

According to FoE analysis of official data, UK carbon dioxide emissions rose in the first half of the year and are higher than when Labour came to power in 1997.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the UK has one of the best records of any country in tackling emissions.

"We are on target to cut CO2 emissions by 16% by 2010, but accept we need to do more to meet our 20% domestic target by 2010," a spokesman said.

"That is why we introduced new policies and measures. These will take time to kick in but by 2010 they will be delivering reductions."

Make Good Choices people and take care in the snow and ice.

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

British Gas Take The Plunge At Last!

2007-02-08T10:06:00.000Z

Hello My Friends,

I hope you're well despite the snow and cold - I was supposed to be travelling to North Yorkshire today to meet my good friend Stan the Man but we have agreed to postpone.

I will tell you more about Stan the Man next week - he is an absolute star!

So good news today at long last from BG - 17% price reduction on domestic bills for gas and electricity from March 2007 - wehey!!

The group says it will cut gas prices by 17% and electricity by 11%. It added that the average annual dual fuel bill would fall by £167 to £953.

British Gas's move has raised expectations that other energy companies might also cut their prices.

The company, owned by Centrica, has been criticised for its high tariffs, which consumer groups say affect vulnerable consumers.

Since 2002, British Gas has increased gas prices seven times and electricity tariffs six times, while it last cut prices in the spring of 2000.

Experts suggest the latest reductions could help the group hang onto its customers.

Supplier switch

More than four million people switched their electricity or gas supplier last year in a bid to cut their bills, recent figures from energy regulator Ofgem showed.

If wholesale prices fall further this year, then we will pass those price reductions on to our customers

Sam Laidlaw, Centrica chief executive

Check Centrica's shares

British Gas would now be offering the "lowest prices on the street" to customers, as well as introducing a new social tariff for "very vulnerable customers", Centrica chief executive Sam Laidlaw said.

Centrica announced last month that it would be cutting its prices as wholesale prices had fallen.

But, while welcoming the drop in prices, consumer groups criticised Centrica for failing to pass on a 50% drop in wholesale prices to consumers.

The firm had "decided to boost its profits rather than pass on potential savings", Paul Green of Energyhelpline said.

"In the next couple of weeks, we expect all the other major suppliers to announce price falls," he added.

"All the suppliers are likely to follow British Gas by passing on only a small part of the wholesale price falls to their customers.

"This will cause a growing feeling of outrage among consumers as they struggle to pay their winter gas and electricity bills."

Add into the mix the fact that British Gas lost over 1 million customers last year and are being forced to reduce their staffing levels as a result by 1300 employees being made redundant, its not difficult to see why BG are saying that they are offering the best consumer deal - which is not actually the case anyway so don't be fooled and jump to them for your utility supply.

Further cuts?

However Centrica's chief defended the company's decision not to pass on the whole of a 50% drop in wholesale prices on to customers.

"We don't go and buy our gas purely on a day-to-day spot basis; we go out and have to buy our gas on a long-term basis," Mr Laidlaw told the BBC.

"If wholesale prices fall further this year, then we will pass those price reductions on to our customers."

British Gas is the first UK company to announce definitive price cuts so far, after a round of increases from various suppliers.

Last week, Scottish & Southern Energy announced it would be cutting its prices, but declined to say by how much and when.

Make Good Choices - don't use Uswitch and hang on to see how the other energy suppliers react over the coming weeks - there will be some better deals very soon!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Write-Stuff

2007-02-07T10:38:00.000Z

Hello My Friends

Hope youre well and getting ready to wrap up against the forecast snow - I can be a snow angel for a day or two hopefully !

On a recent trip to visit a childrens centre in Morecambe where I am advising on how they can reduce heat loss and improve the thermal efficiency of the building I stumbled upon a fantastic shop that has opened in Lancaster city centre.

The Write-Stuff has been opened by a husband and wife team and moved from previous premises within Botany Bay near Chorley. Ken and his wife deserve every success - what a fabulous business concept and what lovely people.

Ken has been collecting autographs and autographed photos of the rich and famous for over 35 years and has now decided to sell them. What a brilliant way to recycle all the collection and believe me what a collection it is !! Its simply breathtaking - some of the photos are so rare that you would hardly believe the photo would be for sale in such a shop never mind complete with a genuine autograph too !

I bought a couple of tin plates showing a lithograph print of a Hornby Train advert from yester year and one with VW camper van featured - my Mum and Dad used to have a VW camper van called Norman so this was pure nostalgia.

I also bought a great photo of Robbie Williams in concert for my pal Kim who adores him.

I will be returning to the Write-Stuff very soon to pick out some rare signed photos of horse racing jockeys and trainers to have Ken create a collage for my Dads 76th birthday present - I will make sure I take the Kleenex as Im sure to burst into tears when looking through what Ken has collected - its truly an awesome place and their customer service is second to none.

The Write-Stuff - Ken Mills
11 - 13 King Street
Lancaster LA1 1JN

www.writestuffautographs.com

01524 843388

Make Good Choices people - visit Ken's shop soon!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Mrs Simpson

2007-02-06T21:22:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends

I have finally managed to persuade one of my close friends to phone up and get a free Benefits Entitlement Check - we used the Eaga service as I know that from past experience they do indeed provide a good service for this facility and the people assisting have had detailed training on the system and customer service.

After around 10 minutes, we discovered that Mrs S is able to claim Pension Credit and also Council Tax benefit - brilliant ! Thats an additional £884 per annum on Pension Credit and almost all the Council Tax bill will be paid for out of Mrs S's hard earned taxes etc - good eh?

It gets better though - they will also look at how the extra income may be back-dated (Mrs S is 88 years young after all and never claimed any benefits before in her life) and also the process identified some benefits that will now mean that Mrs S can be "passported" onto the Warm Front grant. Considering that Mrs S's existing heating system should be in the V&A on display by now and her ludicrously expensive fuel bills recently there is also plent of opportunity to save more along the way too?

I have to call Mrs S tomorrow explain how Big Bros isnt going to come and visit her and that she is not doing something bad or wrong - more that she has paid into the "pot" all her life and its her turn to take something out now (like a post office savings account). I am delighted that she is going to be better off, reep the benefits of a new heating system next Winter and be much more comfortable in her home.

Surely that is what being in this industry is all about ?

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Result On NEA Support For Rick

2007-02-06T18:55:00.001Z

NEA’s Support For A Man’s Courage

The leading fuel poverty charity, National Energy Action (NEA) is supporting Rick Costello’s campaign to get the winter fuel allowance extended to those that suffer from long-term or terminal illness, regardless of their age.

The £200 household allowance is currently only available to people who are aged 60 years or over.

Last year the charity campaigned alongside Child Poverty Action Group, End Child Poverty, the Disability Alliance, Help the Aged and Age Concern, Citizens Advice, and energywatch, to call for more support to help the sick, elderly and vulnerable by extending the winter fuel allowance.

Rick Costella (name changed to hide identity) is suffering from terminal cancer and only has months to live. The chemotherapy that had been previously used to attempt to fight the cancer has been aborted, as it is no longer working.

He said: “Chemo makes you feel cold so in the winter I have the heating on full.

"In the 65th anniversary of the Welfare State, there is something wrong when we have thousands of families receiving no support."

He has spoken to MPs and councillors to push for the allowance to be extended to terminally ill people. Many of these will need their heating on full constantly as they suffer from cold more readily.

He added: “Terminally ill people face a loss of income. The patient and also their partners who become carers then face a minefield of benefit forms. There should be more support.”

Energy is fast becoming one of the most expensive facets of a household budget with domestic energy bills having risen by roughly 90% for gas and 60% for electricity since 2003. Many households are now having to pay in excess of £1000 to keep their home adequately heated. Sick, disabled and vulnerable people will suffer most having to have their heat on more frequently.

NEA Chief Executive William Gillis said: “We have been calling for the extension of the winter fuel allowance for months now. Rick’s plight is just one example of how the system does not seem to support the most needy. We support his action and admire his extreme bravery in taking on this battle with only months to live.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:

NEA is the leading fuel poverty charity campaigning for affordable warmth in the homes of vulnerable people. Visit www.nea.org.uk
Fuel poverty is defined as the need to spend over 10% of household income on fuel costs to maintain adequate warmth for health and comfort.
A 1% rise in energy prices forces 40,000 households into fuel poverty.

Well done NEA - Make Good Choices! With special thanks to Jenny Saunders of the NEA for taking this forward with Nick Palmer MP - I truly hope your meeting bears fruit soon for Rick.

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Tut Heaven - 100 th Posting

2007-02-04T23:09:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

Here's a picture of my cat in her heavenly state of total tut bliss on the window sill in the sun and with the heat from the sun through the window beating against her !

Make Good Choices - Happy 100th Blog Entry xx

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Wellbeing Part II

2007-02-04T09:22:00.000Z

Hello There My Chilly Bon Bons

As part of my recovery from the recent near death experience (acute anaphylaxis) I visited a holistic therapist last weekend and had THE most fantastic Indian Head Massage ever !

Sarah Warran, who I discovered lives opposite the rear of my house, is a qualified Holistic Therapist and her company is called Wellbeing Holistics, specialising in Alternative Therapies like body massage, reflexology and Indian head massage.

I have taken this opportunity to outline what Sarah does and can vouch for how fabulous she is:

Body Massage - this can be used to promote general well being, enhance self esteem, help break down tension knots that occur in the back, neck and shoulders. Also this treatment boosts the circulatory and immune systems and creates a feeling of well being and helps relaxation.

Reflexology - the feet are a mirror of the body. Pressure placed gently on specific reflex points can be used to treat the corresponding areas of the body, in order to stimulate natural healing power and well-being. By working on these reflex points, imbalances and blockages may be detected and released, restoring the free flow of energy to the whole body thus helping to reduce the physical stress and give relief to a wide range of illnesses.

Reflexology can help to improve circulation, release unwanted toxins from the body, revitalize energy, reduce stress and induce deep relaxation therefore promoting a sense of balance and well-being.

Indian Head Massage - the back, shoulders, neck, arms, face and scalp are involved in this treatment. Its ideal for treating tension, sinus trouble and tension headaches. Helps with relaxation and generates an awesome sense of well-being. Although no oil is used during the scalp massage, it would be advisable that you realise that your hair may get a little messed up but nothing major and a quick brush and polish would resolve! It is also advisable not to wear makeup or wear the minimum amount.

Sarah's open for appointments (ladies only) and available on 07952 803 251 - Sarah will accommodate local home visits and also has appointments within H2O Nail and Beauty Salon on Market Street in Hyde Cheshire (0161 366 1317).

I wish Sarah all the very best with her new business and please give her your full support and no crank calls please!

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Your Wellbeing

2007-02-04T08:58:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

I hope you are well and able to get out and about and enjoy this refreshing weather - beautiful sunrise this morning.

I know I watched the sun come up as we had an unexpected visitor call on us at 5.55 am today. I woke up and heard a scratching sound coming from downstairs, so I got out of bed, didnt switch the landing light on (never do in case it wakes Sean up) and I went down the stairs. As I got to the bottom I could see the front door and the letterbox was moving - as if someone were trying to put something through it?

Then I realised it wasn't something coming in - it was a bunch of keys trying to go out !! Instinct took control and I simply grabbed the keys as they were about to be pulled through the letterbox to outside. I could see there was a person stood right at the door and I heard him say "F**K!" as I snatched the keys back inside.

I went to unlock the front door as Sean had now woke up too (Sean thought I was going out for a first daylight run) and as I unlocked the door the man was slowly walking away from the house up the driveway past Sean's car. I opened the door and he started to run - but not before I had seen the whites of the bastard's eyes and yes folks I would recognise him again in an instant.

He ran down the street only as far as about four houses away and then walked and looked back in my direction. I walked up the driveway onto the footpath and Sean followed me out - both of us in our bare feet and scruffs! It was really frosty last night as you may know!

The thieving git stopped at the end of the street and stood there watching us - Sean shouted "Oi!" (why is it when you are under duress you can never think of anything good to say??!) and he simply walked away around the corner onto the next main road.

We went back into the house - I recovered myself and made a strong cup of tea before I went back to bed - I was shaking with fear and anger.

I couldnt rest so I got back up and returned downstairs. I went outside and checked that our cars were okay and noticed that there were handprints all over Sean's car and mine in the frost. The back garden wrought iron gate was open and so it was obvious that the shitbag had also been around the back of the house. On first light there are clear footprints in the frost on the grass and on the decking.

So Im sitting here now waiting for the police to arrive - hopefully before the frost thaws out.

It would appear that the scrote knew what he was about. We have a small hall table and USED TO (not anymore!) keep our keys in a ceramic pot. The table must be a good six or seven feet away from the door. There are scratch marks on the pot as well as the wall and also indents on some letters that were on the table. There is also a hole/gap in the draughtproof brush strip inside the letterbox.

So thieving git had probably poked a wire or hook through the letterbox and managed to grasp the keys and was trying to remove them via the letterbox which is what woke me up (I thought it was the cat as she had been out all night!)

So atleast nothing was stolen and the cars are safe. Why is it that if you work hard, pay your dues, and then want to have a nice car and nice home this sort of person wants to take that away? Drugs, money, habits - I'm sorry but I have no bloody sympathy whatsoever and if the bleeding hearts brigade out there think I'm harsh then tough. We have lived here for over 7 years and never once have we experienced anything like this - perhaps it was just our "turn"?

Fortunately we have an excellent security system and good neighbours so I will make sure they all know what has happened today.

Well time for me to assist our boys in blue (and girls sorry!) - take care, enjoy your day and unlike the tw*t that tried to take our hard-earned possessions and ruin our weekend, make good choices my friends!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Everyone Knows Its Windy

2007-02-02T06:04:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

I hope you are feeling a bit Crunchie today!

I stumbled upon a little gem this morning on the DTi website - they have a windspeed database that enables you to check the average windspeeds in your region should you be considering utilising wind power for your home.

Windspeed Database

Background

The Department of Trade and Industry wind speed database is available from this website. It contains estimates of the annual mean wind speed throughout the UK.

The data is the result of an air flow model that estimates the effect of topography on wind speed. There is no allowance for the effect of local thermally driven winds such as sea breezes or mountain/valley breezes. The model was applied with 1km square resolution and takes no account of topography on a small scale or local surface roughness (such as tall crops, stone walls or trees), both of which may have a considerable effect on the wind speed. The data can only be used as a guide and should be followed by on-site measurements for a proper assessment.

Each value stored in the database is the estimated average for a 1km square at either 10m, 25m or 45m above ground level (agl). The database uses the Ordnance Survey grid system for Great Britain and the grid system of the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

UK Wind Speed Database

There are three ways of accessing the database:

1 Interactive on-line
2 Download database with retrieval program
3 Download database for import into GIS

Disclaimer

The DTI wind speed data is provided free of charge and is not warranted as suitable for any particular purpose or use. The user shall assume full responsibility for their use of the data.

More information on the wind speed database can be found in the following reports:

Estimation of the UK Wind Energy Resource using Computer Modelling Techniques and Map Data: A pilot study, ETSU R-17, K Newton, SF Burch
Estimation of the UK Wind Energy Resource using Computer Modelling Techniques Report on Phase I: Optimisation of the methodology, ETSU WN7053, SF Burch, K Newton, 1988
Computer Modelling of the UK Wind Energy Resource: Phase II Application of the methodology, ETSU WN7054, SF Burch, M Makari, K Newton, F Ravenscroft, J Whittaker, 1992
Computer Modelling of the UK Wind Energy Resource: Overview Report, ETSU WN7055, SF Burch, F Ravenscroft, 1992
Assessment of the Accuracy of the DTI's Database of UK Wind Speeds, ETSU W/11/00401/REP, J Halliday, M Anderson, J Palutikof, S Watson, P Dunbabin, J Bunn, M Dukes, I Surguy, 1995
UK Onshore Wind Energy Resource, ETSU R-99, F Brocklehurst, 1997

These reports can be borrowed from British Library via your local library. You can access the British Library Catalogue online by clicking here.

Make Good Choices and hope you have sufficient wind potential!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Alert The Media

2007-02-02T05:05:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends

I hope you are well and looking forward to the weekend.

As you may recall from a posting I entered in the New Year I was unfortunate to have been put at risk by a local GP who prescribed me anti biotics that contained a penicillin despite being told on numerous occasions that I am allergic to penicillin.

The organisation employing Dr Rajendram - Go To Doc Limited - have completed their investigations and followed the standard NHS complaints' procedure which takes around 4 weeks to complete.

I received a letter from their Complaints Manager (who is a lovely lady) this Wednesday precisely 4 weeks after the initial complaint. The GP in question is still suspended and if you live in the local area you will probably be relieved to learn that he has also been suspended from shifts at Tameside General Hospital too as a result.

It would appear that Dr Rajendram is very sorry for his actions and that in future he will ensure that any medication that he gives out to patients is housed in a sealed and labelled container. According to the transcript notes (Joan very kindly gave me copies of all the correspondence) Dr Rajendram offered to ensure that he placed medications in an envelope in future rather than hand out individual tablets (??!!)

I'm sure you will agree that this would not be acceptable and in fact it is not in line with NHS policy. I think that someone within Go To Doc pointed this out and consequently Dr R changed his comments. Neither is a written apology (or verbal come to that) sufficient to satisfy me and in no way does that make up for the pain, danger, trauma and distress that his actions caused me and my family. Indeed my training for the Great Run in Manchester in May suffered a setback as last weekend I ventured out to do another 10k but only managed 4k and then I was wheezing and spluttering. I need to build up gradually since the incident - I only hope that there isnt any permanent scarring on my lungs or heart, and I will try to run again this weekend...

The local paper (Tameside Advertiser) will be running a follow up article next week - I would like to think that this type of incident does not happen again and god forbid that Dr R should repeat the same mistake on a child or an older person? I shudder to think what could have been a very different outcome if I had not noticed the small print on the chemists' label on the tablet box. When you see the diagnosis on the Paramedics report of "Acute Anaphylaxis" it makes you realise that you have been very fortunate and simply that life is for living.

It also makes you view things in a different perspective and you get your priorities in order - thats a very satisfying feeling. So I am no longer running around like a headless chicken (or the Wooslam bird as my Dad says) and I am a streamlined, lean-process driven chick instead!

I hear on the old industry jungle drums that one of my buddies is changing her role and looking after a new larger region - I say Good Luck to her!

I will post the newspaper article next week - in the meantime take care, enjoy the weekend and as always people Make Good Choices!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Uswitch - Or Please Don't !

2007-01-30T22:39:00.000Z

Hello My Friends,

Hope you are well and a special "hi" to my buddies who I bumped into today - nice to see some of you at least....

Anyhoo, enough of the detritous of my previous life, let's concentrate on the positive things in life and accentuate them to the max as this life is much more exciting and full of nice lovely genuine people.

I had occasion to phone Uswitch recently as I was advised that they are impartial and will signpost the best utility deals to clients.

However I have discovered that perhaps their "impartiality" is slightly skewed?

It would appear that unless the utility offers Uswitch a referral fee Uswitch don't recommend them or signpost customers to some of the better rates that are currently available on the market.

Incredible although it may seem, my dear readers, this unfortunately means that ultimately many customers who can be switched to a great package to save money (and possibly extract themselves from the evil clutches of fuel poverty) are left bewildered and bereft of the full facts?

One such case is Utility Discount Warehouse or Telecom Plus (same company, different trading name). UDW offer great rates on gas and electricity for householders as well as providing landlines, mobile phones and Broadband at very competitive rates. Telecom Plus is a FTSE listed company and during 2006 was voted number one for Customer Service Excellence by Which? magazine.

Following a referral from a good friend of mine, I looked into the UDW offers and I have to say that they do compare very favourably to those of my current supplier.

So I have switched and calculated that over the coming year I have projected that I may save up to £400 on my home fuel bills (and no I don't live in a mansion - its a 7 year old 3 bed detached house at the bottom of a very windy hill).

If we weren't planning a move I would have invested in renewable technology but now we are saving that for the new des res.

So check out UDW - it would seem its worth a look atleast. Indeed one of my SHP clients has been a UDW customer for 3 years and is very happy with their service and supply. They don't have any direct marketing or people canvassing door to door or in the supermarkets (nor do they sponsor any football teams or cricket matches) - Telecom Plus invest in network marketing and buy into the relationships that people can generate through friends and family etc. Its a good methodology, hence they can pass back reduced costs for services to their customers.

I will keep a close eye on this and report back soon with more news following a bit more research but from what I can gather so far, I would suggest U DO Switch but perhaps not via USwitch?

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Microwave Versus The Cooker

2007-01-30T07:23:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

I hope you are well - I was listening to Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2 yesterday and he was interviewing an interesting guest who was supporting and promoting the microwave oven.

Apparently according to Chris's guest, Jennipher Marshall-Jenkinson, if everyone who was intending to have a baked/jacket potato for their dinner last night cooked the potato for 12 minutes in the microwave (4 potatoes x 12 mins total) rather than 1 - 2 hours cooking time in a conventional electric oven, it would reduce energy consumption so much that an entire power station could be decommissioned!

So the next time you fancy a jacket spud please bear this in mind !

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Clean Up Your Air

2007-01-24T06:36:00.000Z

Hello My Friends,

Another press release from Delightful Defra - this time its Ben Bradshaw's turn:

Tuesday 23 January 2007 16:23
Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)

Greater action needed to deliver cleaner air

More needs to done at local, national and European level if cleaner air is to be achieved, Local Environment Minister Ben Bradshaw said today.

Mr Bradshaw was responding to the latest Government statistics on air quality which were published today. He said:

"The latest air pollution data show mixed results, in part due to the heatwave that Europe experienced last July, which helped to produce high levels of ozone. Such heatwaves are predicted to become more common because of climate change."

"Overall, the air we breathe is cleaner today than at any time since before the industrial revolution."

"But nitrogen dioxide and particulates continue to be a problem in specific locations - usually associated with traffic emissions"

Other preliminary results show that the UK is continuing to meet its national air quality objectives for 1,3 butadiene, benzene and lead, as set out in the Air Quality Strategy.

However, preliminary results show that the nitrogen dioxide and particles objectives have not been met at a number of locations across the UK, particularly along busy roads and in major urban centres, primarily due to road traffic emissions.

The UK has also not met the ozone or carbon monoxide objective in some areas, although when the data is ratified and published in April, it may show that the carbon monoxide objective has been met.

Initial analysis indicates that no exceedences of sulphur dioxide (SO2) objectives were detected at national automatic monitoring sites in the UK in 2005. However, 13 local authorities have designated air quality management areas for SO2 and they are working to improve local air quality in their areas.

Today, Defra is also publishing an 'Ozone pollution episode report (June amd July 2006)' which is available on the National Air Quality Information Archive at http://www.airquality.co.uk.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Air Quality Sustainable Development Indicator is one of 68 indicators supporting the Sustainable Development Strategy. It measures annual levels of particulates (PM10) and ozone - the pollutants thought to have the biggest impact on human health - as well as the average number of days when pollution is "moderate" or "higher" according to the bandings used in Weather Forecasts.
See the Statistical Release published today at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2007/070123a.htm

2. The Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (2000) and its Addendum (2003) set a number of air quality objectives for nine main air pollutants to be achieved from 2003-2010 and beyond - please see links below to Air Quality Strategy and Addendum (the national air quality objectives are either similar or tighter than the EU limit values/targets in the EU Air Quality Daughter Directives.)

3. http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/strategy/index.htm
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/strategy/addendum/pdf/aqs_addendum.pdf

4. The Government is currently undertaking a review of the Air Quality Strategy to identify potential new additional measures to move closer to meeting the air quality objectives. See papers on the Defra website at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/airquality/forum/meetings/240505/agenda.htm

Local Air Quality Management
Under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 local authorities are required to review and assess the current, and likely future, air quality in their areas, against the Government's objectives in the national Air Quality Strategy for seven of the air pollutants. Where local authorities find that one or more of the nationally prescribed air quality objectives for each of the seven pollutants is unlikely to be met by the relevant deadline, they must declare an air quality management area (AQMA) for the area concerned. The authorities must then take action, along with other agencies and organisations, to work towards meeting the air quality objectives.

At present, around 200 local authorities across the UK have declared air quality management areas (AQMAs), mainly in respect of the objectives for Nitrogen Dioxide and/or Particles (PM10). The Act does not set deadlines for completion of most of the key stages of the local air quality management process; however Defra guidance to local authorities includes recommended timescales and timetables for submission of review and assessment reports and action plans

Local authorities were expected to undertake reviews and assessments of air quality every three years. The latest round of reviews and assessments started in April 2006, with the next round due in 2009.

Local authorities were encouraged to integrate their air quality action plans into the latest round of Local Transport Plans where local road transport is the primary cause of the local air pollution. This should help to improve authorities' capacity to deliver cleaner air and ensure that air quality is dealt with in a more corporate way, especially in two-tier authority areas where county councils deal with transport functions and the district authorities handle air quality functions. Final Local Transport Plans and assessments were issued to local authorities by DfT in December 2006.

Clean Air for Europe
The European Commission has proposed a new Air Quality Directive which will, if agreed, streamline the Air Quality Framework Directive (96/62/EC) and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd 'Daughter' Directives (1999/30/EC, 2000/69/EC, 2002/3/EC). The proposed Directive is currently under negotiation in Brussels.

For more information about air quality and action individuals can take to reduce pollution, go to: http://www.airquality.co.uk/archive/index.php

Ozone Pollution Episode Report (June and July 2006)
This is the most recent in a series of reports for Defra and the Devolved Administrations that describe major UK air pollution episodes. These are published on the National Air Quality Information Archive (http://www.airquality.co.uk). The report describes the extent and main causes of the June and July smogs.

The main conclusions of the report were:
HIGH levels of air pollution were measured across the Automatic Urban and Rural Network (AURN) during June and July 2006. During this period, HIGH ozone levels were measured at 60 AURN stations.

July's heatwave across Europe resulted in elevated ozone levels in the UK, primarily in England and Wales. The AURN recorded ozone levels in Defra index 8 HIGH band (240-299ugm-3) at three stations: Wicken Fen, London Haringey and Blackpool Marton. The highest hourly concentration was measured at 278 ugm-3 (index 8) at 18.00 on 19 July at Wicken Fen.

The 3rd Daughter Directive (Directive 2002/3/EC) on ozone in ambient air established an alert threshold of 240 ugm-3 was exceeded at Wicken Fen on 19 July when 8 consecutive hours were measured above 240 ugm-3.

High ozone levels resulted from high temperatures across England and Wales, coupled with recirculation of air masses over Europe and the UK. High ozone levels were measured across national and local air quality networks as well as across continental Europe.

Elevated levels of PM10 were also measured in June-July, together with elevated SO2 levels in July; these were mostly in London and South East England. These elevated levels of SO2 may be the result of increased power generation during the heatwave, possibly coupled with meteorological conditions associated with the heatwave.

Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on our website http://www.defra.gov.uk
Defra's aim is sustainable development
To subscribe or unsubscribe to Defra's mailing list go to: http://www.gnn.gov.uk/
Once on the GNN website see Sign up

Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Website http://www.defra.gov.uk

Client ref 16/07

GNN ref 143226P

I have to say the one thing that I notice is exhaust fumes when Ruth is running me wragged through the wilds of Bamber Bridge we often run past queueing traffic near the Hospitality Inn off the road where Ruth lives. Its strange because I never really noticed it so much before road running - possibly because by the time we reach that stretch of the run I'm gasping for breath!

However on a more serious note I feel strongly about this issue especially when it effects children (and adults) who suffer from asthma or CF or other respiratory related illnesses. We do need to promote cleaner air for everyone.

On the news this morning I balked at the sight of GW Bush talking about climate change - the man denied this existed 12 months ago! Oooo he has committed to reduce petrol consumption by 1/5th by 2010 - big deal George. GW also mentioned investing in new renewable technologies but its more of a token gesture than a policy with any bite?

GW has no comment or commitment to cut CO2 emissions.

America needs to take on the oil companies and the auto industry first and foremost - and with his family's connections and source of great wealth (have any of you seen the Michael Mann film?) GW is hardly going to start to rock any boats there!

However perhaps now that there is a democratic majority in Congress we may start to experience a sea change in US Environmental policy - bet Al Gore has something to say about GW's speech!

Lets hope that the WEO conference in Davos - a 5-day intellectual spa for companies to discuss global warming, climate change, manufacturing challenges, business structures and how business plays its role in society.

Climate change is a huge business issue with a lot of pressure on large companies to sort out this problem. BT's Chief Executive Ben Verwaayen commented that the conference enables large businesses to look at how they can create a positive influence on the communities with whom they interact.

" I want to come back from this event with a list to do. This is not about talking, its about doing"
Ben Verwaayen told BBC Breakfast's Declan.

I hope that all the attendees are as positive and enthusiastic as BT's Ben?

Make Good Choices People

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Code Of Best Practice Carbon Offsetting UK

2007-01-23T19:52:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

Some more info for you from Defra:

Establishing a voluntary Code of Best Practice for the provision of carbon offsetting to UK customers

Dear Consultee,

Consultation on establishing a Code of Best Practice for carbon offsetting

1.I am writing to invite views on establishing a Code of Best Practice for Carbon Offsetting. In facing the challenge of climate change Government is keen to give consumers the information and tools they need to make decisions, relevant to their lifestyles, on how they can help tackle this issue. The first step is to avoid and reduce emissions and then consider offsetting. For consumers to be able to do this Government believes it would be helpful to establish a Code of Best Practice with a logo for accredited offset products so that consumers can offset with confidence.

The Code contains the following elements:

Robust and verifiable emission reduction credits from the compliance market, ie CERs, EUAs and ERUs;
Accurate calculation of emissions to be offset, using the Government’s carbon metric;
Clear information for consumers regarding the mechanism and/or projects supported;
Transparent pricing;
Timescales for cancelling credits, and
Where offered by a company with other goods and services those companies will offer a ‘compulsory choice’ for the consumer to offset.

We hope to have a stakeholder workshop to discuss our proposals early next year. If you would be interested in attending please email the address below.

2. The document may be found on Defra’s website: www.defra.gsi.gov.uk

3. We welcome your views and comments on the proposals.

Responses

4. Please send responses to either: Kate Smith (CEHM), Public Engagement Branch, Zone 3/H18 Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE (020 7082 8877)

Or e-mail: offsetting.code@defra.gsi.gov.uk

5. Responses should be received by 13 April 2007.

6. In line with Defra´s policy of openness, at the end of the consultation period copies of the responses we receive will be made publicly available through the Defra Information Resource Centre, Lower Ground Floor, Ergon House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR. The information they contain will also be published in a summary of responses.

7. If you do not consent to this, you must clearly request that your response be treated confidentially. Any confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system in e-mail responses will not be treated as such a request. You should also be aware that there may be circumstances in which Defra will be required to communicate information to third parties on request, in order to comply with its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations.

8. The library will supply copies of consultation responses to personal callers or in response to telephone or e-mail requests (tel: 020 7238 6575, email: defra.library@defra.gsi.gov.uk). Wherever possible, personal callers should give the library at least 24 hour notice of their requirements. An administrative charge will be made to cover photocopying and postage costs.

9. If you have any comments or complaints about the consultation process, as opposed to the content in the consultation paper, please address them to Marjorie Addo Defra Consultation Co-ordinator, Area 7B Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR, or email consultation.coordinator@defra.gsi.gov.uk.

10. Thank you for your help in this matter. If you have any queries please contact us as above.

Yours sincerely,

Kate Smith
Climate and Energy: Households and Markets Division

Do send your input even if you aren't on the Consultee list - its about the ability to encourage everyone to have their say and put forward views to help make ROCs sustainable and generate sufficient interest and for them to have a true "currency" value asap.

Make Good Choices People.

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

"Nigel" Hill

2007-01-22T21:54:00.000Z

Hello My Friends - hope you are well.

Ruth (my personal trainer from Hell) took me out today in the freezing cold of Bamber Bridge near Preston and we went on our first proper training session and completed a 10.74k run in just over 58 minutes. I have to say people my lungs and heart nearly burst taking on a steep hill that we have affectionately named Nigel Hill - but no connections to the fabulously talented Damon or other Nigel Hill's that may also be equally as skilled. No my Nigel is talentless and totally grey - and my vivid imagination gets me striding up a 1:3 hill climb with this particular "Nigel" in a state of undress with his bare flabby pock marked pasty white bum sticking out ready for me to kick!)

Ah the adrenaline !! Thanks Nigel, you make my day (punk).

Anyhow we arrived back at chez Tillbrook and I was suitably shattered but proud that in less than 3 weeks since almost dying of heart failure from medical negligence (yes folks its still being investigated - next week should see the standard 4 week NHS complaints process churn out an outcome) I managed to run the farthest I have been outdoors in a long while.

Thanks Ruth - youre a cowbag out there when you push me on but I love ya babes! x

I will post the article as featured by the local paper if they still have it on their website - excuse the corny photo - they made me pose with the bad pills !

I'm off to bed now - nice small glass of red vino and a turn of the audio book on me Ipod - listening to Sheila Hancock's recollections of her fantastic life with John Thaw - captivating

Make Good Choices Ruth! (and no more Nigels before the 20th May Great Run in Manchester please!) Hence the photo of David Milliband - I can rename the next hill but use the same imagery perhaps .... TBC !

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Rt Hon Dynamic David MP

2007-01-22T21:47:00.000Z

Monday 22 January 2007 11:12
Department for Environment, Food And Rural Affairs (National)

The fight against climate change: Building momentum through the G8 process - Speech by David Miliband MP, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

At the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 22 January, 2007

I am delighted to be able to address the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit. This summit brings together a remarkable collection of people from across nations, and from across different parts of society, from business and NGOs to Government and the public sector.

Across the world, questions of energy security, economic security and climate security are coming together. In the past, the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development pulled in different directions, today, they increasingly have common and complimentary solutions. That is the significance of today's Sustainable Development Summit.

My argument today is this:

* The scientific debate about climate change is over. Climate change is happening, it is man-made and it will have disastrous efforts for all of us. India will face particularly acute consequence from climate change and therefore has a particularly strong interest in securing a solution.

* In the past year, the economic arguments have changed dramatically, and I hope decisively. The Stern Report shows that globally, it will cost far more to deal with the problem, than invest in the solution. It is in our financial self-interest to tackle the problem, not just our moral duty.

* The practical solutions and technologies exist to avoid climate change from wind, wave and solar power to Carbon Capture and Storage. India has a unique opportunity to be a leapfrog economy that moves straight to low-carbon development.

* This year's challenge is to make progress on the politics and the policy. Climate change is a global problem and will require a global agreement. In 2007, we must begin to agree the building blocks of an international framework that delivers a fair balance of responsibility between industrialised and industrialising countries.

Let me begin by setting out the problem. The basic facts are these: Atmospheric CO 2 is now around 40% higher than before the industrial revolution.

This is resulting in a rise in temperature of 0.7 degrees in the last century, almost certainly unprecedented in human civilisation.

If it carries on unchecked, the effects will be on people not just nature; immediate as well as long term.

Climate change will affect every country. But the impact will be greater in India, South-East Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

The joint India-UK project on climate change highlighted some of the impacts on India:

Water resources are already under strain here. India has 16 per cent of global population but only 4 per cent of global water resources. Across India the hydrological cycle is predicted to become more intense, both with higher annual average rainfall as well as longer periods of drought. Agriculture constitutes the single largest component of India's economy, nearly 27% of the GDP. A temperature increase of 2C is predicted to result in a 10-16% reduction in rice yields, while a 4C rise led to a 21-30% reduction.

India has a low-lying coastline. India will be one of the countries most vulnerable to sea level rise. Coastal infrastructure, tourist activity, inshore explorations are at risk. Large scale emigration from coastal zones is expected due to submergence of coastal-lines after sea levels have risen. This will create large numbers of environmental refugees especially from low-lying delta regions.

Other impacts include the changes to the makeup of India's forests, in which 200,000 villages are located in or near; higher rates of certain diseases, such as Malaria, and damage to railways and infrastructure from higher temperatures, increased rainfall and flooding and sea-level rises. In short, no part of life in India will remain unaffected. The effects will be economic and social, not just environmental.

Practical solutions: 3 D energy revolution

The challenge is immense. But the economics point to the requirement not the impossibility of action. As the Stern report showed, the impact of climate change is estimated to be equivalent to a loss in average world consumption per head of 5-20% per year. This is far greater than the expected cost of cutting emissions which, consistent with a 550ppm CO2e stabilisation trajectory, is 1% of GDP by the middle of the century. To be pro-economic growth is to be pro environmental sustainability.

The positive news is that the practical and technological solutions are increasingly available and increasingly cost-effective. Let me highlight some key drivers of change across all countries, what you could term a 3-D energy revolution.

First, demand management. We are reducing demand by creating homes, cars and electrical appliances that are far more energy efficient. For instance, a hybrid car is about 30 per cent more efficient than its petrol-only equivalent. Homes built in the UK today are 40 per cent more efficient that those built in 2001, and we have recently committed to ensuring all homes are 'zero carbon' by 2016. The first industrial revolution saw mechanisation and mass production revolutionise labour productivity. A similar revolution is now underway in resource productivity. Economic growth is becoming decoupled from energy growth.

Second, all countries need to decarbonise their energy production. Renewable electricity sources are becoming more widely available at reasonable prices, from biofuels and biomass, to wind and solar power; and there is the prospect of diverting the carbon emissions from coal-fired power stations underground via carbon capture and storage (CCS). Third, we are increasingly decentralising our energy system. Since the opening of the world's first thermal power station in London in 1882 by Thomas Edison, the trend over the past century has been towards increasingly centralised power generation. While centralised production will remain critical, some countries are showing that we can increasingly rely on more decentralised and distributed power generation - from biomass fuelled combined heat and power stations serving a community, to individual citizens producing energy through solar or wind power and selling their energy back onto the grid. In the next thirty years, we could see the same transformation in energy production that we have seen in computers over the past generation - with a growing reliance on small computers connected via a network rather than a traditional mainframe. For instance, a large proportion of energy in Denmark and the Netherlands is produced on a decentralised basis - a transition that took around 20 years. But while the UK is having to make a transition from high-carbon to low carbon development, India has a unique opportunity. Forecasts suggest that by 2030, India's energy requirements will go from the existing 120,000 MW of electricity to about 400,000 MW. Half of India does not have electricity and the investment choices you make over the next ten to fifteen years will be crucial.

You therefore have the potential to be a leapfrog economy - going straight to a model of low-carbon development without having to scrap existing infrastructure and technologies. You are already leaders in some renewable energy technologies. About 100,000 biogas plants and 16,530 solar photovoltaic lighting systems were installed during 2004-05. You are the only country to have a Ministry dedicated to the use of renewable energy - sharing experience of development and deployment of these technologies can provide global benefits. You can forge a distinctive economic path that will give you a comparative economic advantage in future. As your President has suggested in calling for a goal of Energy Independence, renewable energy technologies could contribute 20 to 25 per cent of your energy needs by 2030. You have nearly 60 million hectares of wasteland, of which 30 million hectares are available for energy plantations. With each crop lasting 50 years and being carbon-neutral, biofuels could make a significant contribution meeting future demand in transport fuels and delivering emissions reductions.

Policy and Politics

The science shows the scale and impact of the problem. The practical solutions exist to solve it, and the economics shows that this would be cost-effective. The challenge in 2007 is how to develop the policies and political agreement that can drive investment in a low-carbon economy. Every country has domestic responsibilities to reduce emissions. The UK priorities are in reducing energy demand, in particular by moving towards zero carbon homes and increasing renewable and low-carbon fuels, in electricity, heating and transport. In India, there are immense opportunities in renewable energy, biofuels and carbon capture and storage. But every country also has international responsibilities - responsibilities that are 'common but differentiated'. The greatest responsibility falls on the wealthiest countries to help with adaptation and help pay the difference between high-carbon and low carbon industrialisation. But every country must play its it part.

The UK will be demonstrating its international responsibilities in four areas:

First, by showing leadership in adopting binding legislative commitments to reduce its own emissions. We will be introducing a Climate Change Bill that will establish in legislation our goal of reducing C02 emissions by 60 per cent by 2050.

Second, the UK will be pushing for deep cuts across the European Union. We support a 30% cut by industrialised countries to 2020 and welcome the European Commission's proposal for a unilateral commitment to 20% cuts by 2020 - as a springboard to more ambitious action. Delivering this commitment through emissions trading, including through the use of the Clean Development Mechanism will release large scale and sustained investment in industrialising countries.

Third, technology transfer. The UK-India collaboration to identify barriers to technology transfer. It will help forge a common vision on international technology cooperation, including the role of the UNFCCC in catalysing development and commercial deployment of low carbon technology within developing countries such as India. The Clean Energy Investment Framework is a major initiative that has the potential to significantly increase public and private investment in alternative sources of energy, energy efficiency and adaptation to climate change. As indigenous coal makes up nearly half the energy used for power generation in India, the development of demonstration projects for Carbon Capture and Storage must be a critical priority.

Fourth, the UK will be focusing on helping industrialising countries adapt to the climate change already in train as a result of industrialised countries emissions. Through the Clean Energy Investment Framework, the World Bank and Regional Development Banks, we will help developing countries in adapting to climate change.

2007 will be a critical year. Over the next 12 months, we want to promote a debate about a goal for stabilising climate change and the key building blocks of a future international framework. This must be part of the agenda at the G8 + 5 meeting of Environment Ministers in Potsdam in March, the G8 + 5 Summit in Heiligendamm in June, leading to the Gleneagles Dialogue with Energy and Environment Ministers in September.

Without greater clarity on what we are trying to achieve in the long term, it is very unlikely that our short term efforts will put us on the right path. A long term goal would guide action to tackle both emissions and the impacts of climate change. It would send a signal to the private sector who have key role in delivering low carbon technologies. It would guide planning for adaptation - critical for those developing countries that suffer from the impacts of climate change most.

If we are to make progress, we must recognise that climate change is part of a wider set of goals around economic security, energy security and national security. It will require the engagement not just of environmental ministries but heads of state, prime ministers and finance ministries.

Conclusion

Let me finish with one stark fact. If everyone in the world were to consume natural resources and generate carbon dioxide at the rate we do in the UK, we'd need three planets to support us. We need instead to move towards a one-planet economy and one planet living - where there is balance between what we give and what we take. And we need to so quickly. Within the next two decades, global emissions must peak and begin to decline. There are difficult issues we face and must debate. But unless we find a way to forge an international framework that delivers emissions reductions, we will face colossal humanitarian and financial damage, much of which it will be felt in the poorest nations. We cannot afford to fail.

Client ref Speech by the Rt Hon David Miliband MP

GNN ref 143135P

Make Good Choices then please David - sorry to bang again Rt Hon MP but where's our EEC3 targets ??!! I believe in the KISS principle - Keep It Simple Stupid .... watch this space folks!

And you can rest assured since taking the "one Planet" test myself I have certainly altered my lifestyle.

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Plan A

2007-01-22T07:46:00.000Z

What is Plan A?

Plan A is Marks & Spencer's five-year, 100-point plan to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing their business and our world. It will see M&S working with their customers and suppliers to combat climate change, reduce waste, safeguard natural resources, trade ethically and build a healthier nation.

Stuart Rose, M&S CEO, appeared on BBC Breakfast featured interviews with Stuart committing to investing up to £500 million to support this initiative so its not just words it will mean positive actions too - brilliant news!

Marks & Spencer say that they are doing this because it's what you, their customers, want them to do. It's also the right thing to do.

M&S arecalling it Plan A because they say that they believe it's now the only way to do business.
There is no Plan B.

Climate

change

M&S will become carbon neutral and help customers, and their suppliers, cut carbon emissions too.

Waste

M&S will stop sending waste to landfill and ensure customers don't need to throw any of their products away.

Raw materials

From fish to forests, M&S will make sure their key raw materials come from the most sustainable sources possible.

Fair partner

By trading fairly, M&S will improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in their supply chain and also their local communities.

Healthy Eating

M&S will continue to set good food standards, helping customers and employees across the country live a healthier lifestyle.

M&S - not just making good choices, its an M&S promise! Well done Mr Rose and I truly hope that your exciting plans really do make a difference and I congratulate you on "trumping" Terry from Tesco!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Trees & CO2

2007-01-22T07:11:00.000Z

More Wonderful Facts About Trees And CO2

A fellow eco blogger on the Treeflights website has found this piece on carbon fixation by our friends, the trees. It would appear that when you take the oxygen into account the tree is actually fixing an amount of CO2 that is more than its own weight!
It comes from the National Science Foundation so perhaps we can believe it?

'..We find that about 45% of the dry mass (not including the water) of a tree comes from carbon. In other words,
a 100 Kilogramm log of a tree that has been completely dried contains about 45 kilograms of stored carbon.

While each kilogram of dried tree is storing .45 kilograms of carbon, it is removing more than a kilogram of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is because each carbon dioxide molecule contains two oxygen atoms.... this means that each CO2 molecule has an atomic mass of 12+2(16)=44, of which only 12 are due to the carbon. Therfore, for each atom of carbon stored in the tree, 44 atomic mass units of CO2 is removed from the atmosphere. Therefore this equates to each kilogram of dried tree corresponding to:

(1kg of dried tree) x (.45 kg of C/1 kg) x 44 amu of CO2/12 AMU of C) = 1.65 kg of CO2.'

(AMU= Atomic Mass Units)

From- ESA 21, National Science foundation.

Make Good Choices - plant a tree or sponsor a tree via Treeflights today please

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Bio-Char?

2007-01-22T06:49:00.000Z

Treeflights Go Bio-Char?

What the devil is Bio-Char? Well, it could be an angel (rather like me as I am made from a bit of carbon!).

Simply put, Bio-Char means buried charcoal.

Bio-char is a development of Terra Preta de Indio, -dark soil- found in the Amazon region. These dark soils are found in several countries in South America. They were most likely created by pre-Columbian Indians from 500 to 2500 years B.P. and abandoned after the invasion of Europeans.

These mysterious earths are abundantly rich and deep, containing very high Carbon & nutrient levels even after hundreds of years. The high nutrient levels mean that no fertilizers are needed for crops, which grow better and faster. Dark soils heat up and crop earlier. The implications are enormous.

This is renewable agriculture that also stores carbon!

Treeflights are considering all the options to ‘lock up’ carbon from timber and this could present an answer.

I would also encourage any Councils who are considering bio mass stoves for homes or communal heating with sustainable planting for fuel to look into this incentive too - I know atleast 3 Councils in the North West that may find this solution very interesting indeed... and one who has travelled extensively in South America and may well already have seen and heard of Bio-Char?

Make Good Choices - or en espanol "haga las elecciones buenas"

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

1000th Tree Planted

2007-01-22T06:44:00.000Z

May A Thousand Saplings Grow...

Treeflights are proud to announce our 1000th tree planted!

On a rainy 6th December day, Ru planted a young oak. Treeflights have covered a good area in saplings now in their full range of species. The weather was been generally awful, but it didn't stop the Treeflights team. They sheltered from heavy showers inside the Treeflights truck, a early convert to LPG (liquid petroleum gas) then popped out to plant again.

Please support this fantastic idea - I certainly will be doing so and I hope my friends and associates will too (Paul M at Bolton you did ask what we could do to offset our trips abroad - heres an excellent solution apart from not going on hols overseas!)

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Treeflights

2007-01-22T06:38:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

Hope you survived the awful winds last week - we even had snow last night (Sunday) - around 1 1/2 inches dropped over an hour - it was great for the local kids - our nieghbours daughter (Erin who is 3) looked like a pink marshmallow in a wooly hat in her little snowsuit!

Can You Ease Your Guilt About Flying?

At Treeflights they only do one thing ~ plant trees for people who fly – and, for the New Year, they have produced some photographs to show how their work is progressing in the Welsh Mountains.

If you have to fly, in just a few hours you will burn up hundreds of litres of a non-renewable resource that it took the earth (and the sun) millions of years to make. On top of this there will be CO2 production – the main culprit for climate change. As Treeflights puts it: ‘there’s no way of avoiding it, flying is inherently environmentally destructive and we shouldn’t do any more of it than we have to’.

Instead, Treeflights says planting a tree is an ecologically constructive thing to do, because trees use the sun’s energy to absorb CO2, taking it out of the atmosphere (where it’s really harmful).

There is of course a problem: trees take ages to grow. Treeflights acknowledges that ordering a tree is not a quick-fix or easy salve to a travellor’s conscience, and a flight will not suddenly become ‘carbon neutral’. However, Treeflights argues that the tree they plant for you will make a significant and positive difference, over time, to the atmosphere.

Persuaded? If so, click here to find out more about this ‘carbon neutral’ initiative, and to view more pictures from the gallery. It can cost as little as £10 to have a tree planted.

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Boom Shake The Room

2007-01-21T08:56:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

I hope you are enjoying the weekend despite the horrible weather!

You may enjoy this short film of two tower blocks being demolished on the Hattersley Estate.

http://www.hattersley.org.uk/global-assets/movies/blow-down01.mpg

I must say that having looked the new housing proposals for Hattersley (The Meadows and Deerpark) the homes look really nice and the prices arent too bad at all for the size of the homes and hopefully will only increase in value once people start to invest back in the area.

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Hats Off To Hitman Hatton, Hattersley Hero

2007-01-21T08:20:00.000Z

Hello My Friends,

In a departure from my usual postings, and as a tribute to one local sporting hero whose roots lie firmly in an area in which I will be working a lot over the next two - three years, I would like to congratulate Ricky Hatton on winning his latest fight (his first in Las Vegas to break the spell of unsuccessful bouts there involving previous British boxers such as Honeyghan, McGuigan andBruno).

Hatton (left) shipped some solid blows against Urango

Ricky Hatton recaptured his IBF light welterweight title with a gruelling points win over solid Colombian Juan Urango on his Las Vegas debut.

All three judges scored the fight 119-109 to Hatton at the Paris Hotel, but that did not reflect an extremely tough night for the Manchester fighter.

Hatton, 28, started brightly but had become ragged by the middle rounds as Urango's strength began to tell.

But Hatton was rarely troubled and clung on down the final straight.

"I have done what I had to do to win it," said Hatton, whose last four fights have all been world title challenges.

"The way the two of us fight, it was always going to be tough. He takes some shifting - he is very strong.

"The first six rounds felt too comfortable. Maybe I took my foot off the gas, but I don't think it was boring by any stretch.

I was always dominating, the whole fight - but he was always in it

Ricky Hatton

"You know the way I fight - I've shown it over and over again. I think I showed another side, that I can box.

"I was always dominating, the whole fight - but he was always in it."

Hatton, now undefeated in 42 professional fights, was roared on by an estimated 3,000 British fans but the encounter failed to live up to the hype.

He looked sharp in the early exchanges, bouncing in and out of range and landing with a series of uppercuts.

And he followed up with a big right hand in round two as the static Urango struggled to get close.

But there were warning signs for Hatton in round three as Urango landed with two solid right hands before the 'Hitman' hit back with a booming right in round four.

Castillo has won 54 of his 62 fights

But Urango, previously unbeaten in 18 fights, began to home in on Hatton's body in round five and rattled the challenger with another hurtful right hand.

Hatton stepped up the pace again in the sixth and seventh, putting his superior ring-craft to good use and tying Urango up on the inside.

But Hatton was fading badly by round nine, Urango finding the target with another left to the body as Hatton's punches dried up and he continued to spoil.

Hatton's corner looked concerned ahead of the 10th and the final three rounds were little more than a wrestling match.

Urango, though, landed with the cleaner punches, including another energy-sapping left to the body and a wicked right to the head that stiffened Hatton up.

However, Hatton, by now running on fumes, managed to stay out of trouble in the final round and was the deserving winner, although not as emphatic a winner as the scorecards suggested.

Hatton is now set to face Mexico's Jose Luis Castillo in the summer after the former two-time lightweight world champion defeated Cameroon's Hernan Ngoudjo on the undercard.

Castillo, 33, failed to impress on his light welterweight debut and could only manage a split decision over his game, but limited, opponent.

Bullied in clinches and occasionally wobbled by Ngoudjo, Castillo claimed a 115-113 verdict on two judges' cards. Chuck Giampa favoured Ngoudjo by the same score.

Well Done Ricky and it was brilliant to see his close friends and family whooping it up in Vegas baby!

Make Good Choices people

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Liar Liar Racist Pants On Fire!

2007-01-21T08:11:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends - I hope that Jade Goody learns something from this experience - she definitely hasnt been one to Make Good Choices lately and I truly think her real personality shone through - she is a fake and ugly on the inside and out and needs to be put up as an example of how not to behave especially when you have gained your "celebrity" status by basically being naked on TV, ignorant and taking part in televised under the duvet activities! Yeuch - you just wouldnt .... would you ??? I cant even recall the name of the bloke that she was in the bed with now !

Big Brother controversy in quotes

In the past week, Celebrity Big Brother moved from being TV entertainment to a national race debate and an international diplomatic incident.

Here are some of the key quotes - from participants in the show and key figures in the real world.

SUNDAY 14 JANUARY

Shilpa Shetty: "Why do they hate me? Why am I detested? I feel like I'm losing my dignity.

"I'm the only one they are mean to, I don't know why, nobody is mean to anyone else except me. I'm scared to say anything else. They've pushed me to the brink."

TUESDAY 16 JANUARY

Jade Goody referred to Shilpa Shetty as "Shilpa Poppadom"

Jade Goody to Shetty: "You're a liar and a fake. You're a liar. You're not in Neverland here, you're not no princess here you're normal. You are normal. You are normal Shilpa and learn to live with it.

"You need a day in the slums. Go in your community and go to all those people who look up to you and be real."

Danielle Lloyd: "I think she should f**k off home."

Cleo Rocas to Shetty: "I don't think there's anything racist in it."
Shetty: "It is, I'm telling you."

WEDNESDAY 17 JANUARY

Goody: "I couldn't think of her surname. Why would I be talking to someone like that, I don't know what her surname is. What is it? Shilpa Cookamada, Shilpa whatever Rockamada, Shilpa Poppadom. It was like that, literally come out like that.

"There was no fault or no racial anything meant in any of those comments. It's not in me to be racial about somebody or to somebody because I wouldn't. It was just a tongue in cheek, Shilpa Poppadom."

Shetty, referring to her previous opinion that Jade was racist: "I take that back. I thought it was because everybody was having an argument with me...

"You know, people say things in a fit of anger and I stand corrected. I don't feel that there was any racial discrimination happening from Jade's end. I think there are a lot of insecurities from her end but it's definitely not racial."

Shetty to Goody: "I don't think you're racist. But it did come across as kind of racial, what you said even before that. I didn't hear you say it. Your mum used to address me as Indian..."

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair: "I've not seen the particular programme in question and therefore can't comment on it.

"But of course, I would agree entirely with the principle that we should oppose racism in all its forms."

UK Chancellor Gordon Brown: "I understand that in the UK there have already been 10,000 complaints from viewers about these remarks, which people see, rightly, as offensive.

"I want Britain to be seen as a country of fairness and tolerance. Anything detracting from this I condemn."

Indian Minister for External Affairs Anand Sharma: ''It has caused indignation, it is most unfortunate, and any kind of racism - or racist slur - is unacceptable in any civilised society.''

THURSDAY 18 JANUARY

UK Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell: "I think this is racism being presented as entertainment, and I think it is disgusting.

"My personal view is that this has caused enormous offence not only abroad but to the Indian community here."

Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt in Mumbai's DNA newspaper: "I believe no-one can insult you without your permission. Shilpa Shetty has paid the price for trying to desperately seek the approval of the West.

"It is pathetic how we can go on bended knees and lick the boots of Westerners in an effort to be part of their world."

Carphone Warehouse chief executive Charles Dunstone: "Our concern has rapidly mounted about the broadcast behaviour of individuals within the Big Brother house.

"We are totally against all forms of racism and bullying and indeed this behaviour is entirely at odds with the brand values of The Carphone Warehouse.

"As a result, we feel that as long as this continues, we are unable to associate our brand with the programme."

Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan: "The debate has been heated, the viewing has at times been uncomfortable but, in my view, it is unquestionably a good thing that the programme has raised these issues and provoked such a debate.

"These attitudes, however distasteful, do persist - we need to confront that truth.

"We have reached the view that we cannot with certainty say that the comments directed at Shilpa have been racially motivated or whether they stem from broader cultural and social differences."

FRIDAY 19 JANUARY

Goody after being evicted: "I'm not racist, but I can see why it has had the impact it's had. I can see why it looks like bullying.

"I'm disgusted in myself for saying what I have just seen myself saying. I do not approve of any of my actions and I do not approve of the words that came out of my mouth."

SATURDAY 20 JANUARY

The Sun newspaper editorial: "Jade Goody went into the Big Brother house appearing to be simply a fun-loving working-class girl canny enough to have made millions from her 15 minutes of fame. It was all a meticulously manufactured lie.

"She has left the house with her true personality laid bare - a vile, pig-ignorant, racist bully consumed by envy of a woman of superior intelligence, beauty and class."

Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu: "Sadly ignorance is not in short supply. Racism is real.

"As the week's events on reality television demonstrate, there is an ugly underbelly in society only too ready to point the finger at the foreigner, or those who might not fit in.

PR guru Max Clifford: "Ironically, the programme that made [Jade] could be the programme that breaks her.

"Whoever is responsible for putting her in there obviously is responsible for possibly finishing her career."

Jade - sort out your sh*t and Make Good Choices - I really hope you do indeed pass all your fee income from this show and the interview with the News Of The World to charity (and not the Goody Family Foundation either - I think your Mum and your sado boyfriend should also contribute their fees along with the pathetic excuse for a female Danielle (so hope Mr Sherringham now drops that strumpet) and Jo "S Club" O'Mera - they were equally as racist and offensive as Ms G.

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Duck Me!

2007-01-21T07:59:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends

I went for a lovely walk on Monday last week with my Mum (72 years young almost) and we bought some duck food along the way to entice the varieties of geese and ducks and wild birds during our walk around Etherow Country Park.

At one stage we stopped at the top of an embankment to toss duck food into the water and down the banking where there were a mirriad of birds. One pure white duck scrambled out of the water and started to stride and waddle up the steep slope to the path. He was so tame I couldnt believe it and so I placed some of the remaining duck food in my hand and stretched out my palm. To my utter delight and amazement the duck began to softly peck the seed from my palm ! So we nicknamed him Charlie (after the late Charlie Drake) - he was just as much of a star!

I noticed the following story in the BBC News and it reminded me of Charlie - hope he nevers suffers the same fate:

Duck Survives Two Days In Fridge

Duck hunting season is underway in Florida

A duck in the US state of Florida has survived gunshot wounds and a two-day stint in a refrigerator.

A hunter shot the duck, wounding it in the wing and leg. Believing the bird was dead, he left it in his fridge at his home in Tallahassee.

The hunter's wife got a fright when she opened the fridge and the duck lifted its head, a local veterinarian said.

Staff at the Goose Creek Animal Sanctuary who are treating the bird said it has a 75% chance of survival.

The plucky duck was taken first to a local animal hospital, and then to an animal sanctuary for more specialised treatment.

A veterinarian at the sanctuary said he thinks the duck will live, but will probably never be well enough to be released into the wild.

The veterinarian, David Hale, said the duck's low metabolism rate helped it survive its time in the refrigerator, the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper reported.

"This is an extremely tough duck with a lot of spirit to live," he said. "This shows how tough and adaptable wildlife are".

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Heat Is On DVD - download update

2007-01-19T06:28:00.000Z

Hello My Friends

Just a quick update to let you know that the NEA intend to have an electronic download version of their superb DVD "The Heat Is On" very soon. The DVD was launched by the NEA last year and is available in hard copy format only which can be frustrating when you consider the postage costs and its hardly the most efficient method but its better than no message at all.

The introduction of a download format from the NEA's website will help the message to reach more householders and as there is no copyright on the DVD this ensures that we can burn CDs and spread the word more easily and efficiently too.

Well done Susan Clark at the NEA!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

LESA

2007-01-19T06:25:00.000Z

Hello My Friends,

Almost as well kept a secret as the Warm Front grant, I would like to outline the Landlords Energy Saving Allowance for private sector Landlords in the UK.

Individual landlords (and other landlords who pay income tax) who let residential property and install loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and solid wall insulation to properties have been able to claim a deduction in their income tax bill, this is called the Landlords Energy Saving Allowance (LESA). This came into force in April 2005 and unfortunately there has been little or no promotion of this allowance by the Government or most local Authorities.

The maximum amount which can be claimed is £1,500 per property.

Following the 2006 Budget, from 6th April 2006 the LESA has been extended to enable landlords to also claim the allowance for expenditure from installing draught-proofing and for insulating hot water systems in dwelling houses which they let.

Further information is available from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

But don't expect a leaflet - they are still at the printers!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Record Repeat Visitor

2007-01-19T05:36:00.000Z

Hello There and A Very Special "Hi!!" to one of my blog's repeat visitors who has made over 28 return visits to my site since October 2006 - thank you and I hope you are finding my postings useful and informative and, like you, I am Eager to please?

If you need any help or would care to leave a comment I would be more than happy to help you - I know who you are from your IP address and I can see your footprint on my site - Don't be shy now!

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Momentum Update & EPBD

2007-01-19T05:08:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

You will be pleased to learn that I received a message back from Rick Costello - I would ask each and everyone of you to lobby your local MP to effect this change please.

I also emailed all the top contacts at the NEA yesterday as its their bread and butter to lobby Government about fuel poverty related issues and such campaigns. I emailed Nick Palmer MP with his local NEA contact details for Nottingham (Nicky Swetnam).

I'm sorry to report that so far I have not had a single response or reply from the NEA despite emailing the issue to their CEO, Operations Director, PR Manager, Business Development Director and various local level support team members including Nicky, Julia and Lorraine.

I will push this hard - Rick needs everyone's help! Come on NEA make some noise !

-----------------------------------------------

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I have been researching various EPBD (European Parliament Building Directives) for dates for the introduction of the various certification requirements are as these appear to be only partly known at this stage. The EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) required on sale of domestic property will be introduced as part of the Home Information Pack (HIP) which will be mandatory from 1 June 2007. Indeed, since the UK Government decided that the home condition element of the HIP will not be required, at least in the short term, the EPC will be the HIP’s main focus in terms of stock condition data as far as energy efficiency is concerned.

Figure 4: Coming Soon in June – the proposed Energy Performance Certificate for the Home Information Pack.

The proposed EPC shows how the home rates compared to others on the familiar A to G energy rating scale first introduced for white goods in the UK. It also shows the buildings potential rating if efficiency measures were implemented and describes their cost and effectiveness. Interestingly, the certificate will also contain information on domestic scale renewable technologies such as photovoltaics and solar hot water. EPCs for non-domestic and rented sectors should follow similar lines.

With so much political capital riding on a successful introduction of the HIP it is very likely that requirements for EPCs when non domestic buildings are sold or when any kind of building is rented will take a back seat until the HIP is safely up and running. But time is running out. The deadline extension expires on the 1 January 2009. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that the requirements for EPCs on rental should be in place some time in 2008.

Yvette Cooper - Eco Trooper

Certificates for all buildings when they are constructed, rented, sold and, in some cases, refurbished? That’s a lot of certificates; in the worst case scenario, the DCLG (or DECLOG as some love to call the Dept that was once the ODPM) Working Group (!) estimates that 450,000 EPCs will be needed in the non-domestic sector with a further 2.5 million in the domestic sector per annum.

Assuming that an assessor can produce one EPC every working day of the year results in an estimate of a minimum of 10,000 assessors required (thats 3,000 more than the Which? Report claimed in 2006). The DCLG estimates that 8,000 inspectors will be needed to deliver EPCs for domestic sale in England and Wales alone. Contrast this with the National Energy Foundation’s estimate of 2,500 trained home surveyors currently operating in the UK.

In the domestic rented sector it was hoped that the data already collected by registered social landlords in the form of stock condition and SAP surveys would mean that a further massive data gathering exercise to produce the EPCs would not be necessary. However, it has been found that in fact only a very small number of RSLs collect the right data to produce an EPC.

Clearly, thousands of people will have to become trained in energy assessment and will then have to pass the relevant exam to become an accredited energy inspector over the next year. Even already accredited SAP assessors will still have to pass the exam if they wish to issue EPCs.

Given that there are currently only 7 ABBE accredited training centres operating a limited number of courses and that the content of the final exams have still not been decided it seems unlikely that there will be sufficient assessors available to make the roll out of certification as smooth as Yvette Cooper, Minister for Housing and Planning, must pray it will be.

I think you will recognise that anyone holding the relevant qualifications will have no shortage of work this summer!

Label Pulling Power

Mandatory energy labelling of white goods and boilers has transformed the energy efficiency of products manufactured in those sectors. In most appliance showrooms you’d now be hard pressed to find anything with less than a creditable ‘B’ rating whilst installing a ‘C’ rated boiler is now illegal other than in exceptional circumstances.

The overriding lesson from the experience of labelling white goods was that the development classification system (A to G) and a supporting label not only raises awareness of the relative energy performance of the products but also provides the basis for a whole suite of related measures such as procurement, specification and linkages to other policy measures.

The EPBD is attempting to bring about the same transformation of new buildings and, more importantly, existing buildings which is where the real problem lies. However, persuading premises managers, homeowners and landlords that they should invest thousands in energy efficiency measures so that their property achieves a C rather than a D will not be easy. And it is here that linking the rating on the EPC to other policy measures and initiatives will be particularly important.

A number of ideas are being considered. There is a lot of cross party political support for a bill which would link the rate of stamp duty to whether the homebuyer invested in energy efficiency measures. Those measures would be spelled out in the energy performance certificate. Unfortunately the bill was dropped from the legislative calendar because other issues were more pressing at the time. It is now waiting in the wings for a return - when will the fat lady sing I wonder?

Similarly, Yvette Cooper is keen to link EPCs with ‘green’ mortgage lenders and with energy suppliers who need to meet energy savings targets under the Energy Efficiency Commitment. Elsewhere, one local authority is trialling the linkage of council tax to efficiency rating. All these policy measures would encourage homeowners and home sellers to invest in efficiency.

Indeed during 2005 and 2006 Gritish Bass introduced a Council Tax mailout scheme where they would link up with Councils to place a BG flyer with information about energy efficiency measures available under EEC (aimed at those PG clients who were on Council Tax benefit one of the qualifying criteria for 100% funded Cavity Wall insulation and virgin loft insulation and I recall 200mm loft insulation top ups under Warmer Life). They also offered a reduction in a householders Council Tax if they were an Able To Pay client. Unfortunately in some cases BG neglected to inform the Councils that this element was included and the said Council partners were inundated with requests for discounts on their Council tax bills - I hope this process has now been smoothed out?!

In the Registered Social Landlord sector the average energy performance of the housing stock as reliably revealed by the certificates could be linked to funding opportunities or standards such as Decent Homes. A database of the energy ratings should also provide the basis for sustainable energy and affordable warmth strategies.

In the non-domestic sector it would also be simple to imagine Asset Managers implementing internal sustainability policies which, for example, ruled out renting or leasing inefficient buildings. Consequently, building owners would strive improve the energy performance of their buildings to make them more attractive to potential tenants.

As a result of the EPBD there is potential for a web of new policy and incentives to drive up efficiency in our building stock. Expect plenty more from Brussels and Westminster but also from the public for whom bolting a wind turbine to the redundant chimney stack (with related planning permission of course) and investing in solar PV or solar thermal and the remaining "traditional" energy efficiency measures like cavity wall and loft insulation will suddenly start to make a lot more sense. A perfect juxtaposition of the succession of technology?

Make Good Choices People - enjoy your weekend and hope that your homes have withstood the fierce winds - we lost some ridge tiles but considering people have been killed as a result of storms we have been very fortunate. Joe Simpson (our guardian Angel) has been very active lately !!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Momentum

2007-01-17T07:51:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

I hope youre well and enjoying your return to work !

I would like to draw your attention to the campaign being headed up by a gentleman in the UK who is terminally ill having being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and who was informed by his doctors recently that the chemo is no longer combatting the spread of the disease in his case. Rick Costello (this is a sudonym to protect his real identity) has around 4 - 6 months of his life left.

In a breathtakingly selfless fashion, Rick is campaigning for those who suffer from long term or terminal illness, regardless of their age, to have access to the Winter fuel allowance that is currently only available to people who are aged 60 years or over.

Rick has lobbied the Government and met with several MPs yesterday including the Work & Pensions Minister Anne McGuire to discuss his proposal. Rick's campaign is being supported by the BBC and BBC Breakfast's reporter Julia George has been talking to Rick and following his plight.

The way in which Rick puts across his point is very clear and deserves much support and I truly hope that all my visitors will get behind his campaign and lobby their own MPs and Councillors as well as central Government to push this through before Rick is no longer with us. Please please help and do it now !

Rick is obviously a very articulate individual and his quotes made me feel very humble:

"Chemo makes you feel cold so in the winter I have the heating on full"

"In the 65th anniversary of the Welfare State, there is something wrong when we have thousands of familes receiving no support. The system is out of kilter, out of balance"

"You face immense pressure, trauma - overwhelming emotions"

"People face a loss of income. The patient and also their partners who become carers then face a minefield of benefit forms"

"I am campaigning for people with illness to get help paying their bills"

Rick mentions during his interview with Jules Botfield that he has had support from McMillan's Charitable fund for a heating grant to help to pay his home fuel bills. However as we can imagine, this may not cover the whole cost and more poignantly I assume there is only a finite amount of funding to be allocated?

Jules did a brief follow up report earlier this morning and it showed Rick speaking to Menzies Campbell (himself a cancer survivor) and Anne McGuire.

Rick commented "They wouldnt commit but I feel this thing has momentum".

Indeed his local MP Nick Palmer has put forward an idea that the age threshold for the allowance should be raised from 60 to 65. That perhaps may release some money - however this solution may mean that people aged 60-64 wont get access to the fuel allowance and it could mean that some householders thereafter could be more vulnerable without the £200? This is unless we can persuade the utilities to reduce our fuel costs to reflect the reduction in wholesale gas rates ?!!

I hope that Rick gets all the support (and more) that his proposal deserves - indeed his comment that people like Sir Cliff Richard automatically qualify for the Winter fuel allowance under the current rules makes a mockery of the whole system.

It reminds me of a comment that John Cox from Millfold made at the NEA Conference last September whilst addressing a question to Ian Pearson MP about the qualifying criteria for the allowance - but John sited Keith Richards and Mick Jagger!

As you can probably appreciate Ian Pearson MP, who is more recently (in)famous for picking a fight with Michael O'Leary CEO of Ryanair about airline CO2 emissions (and I'm delighted to say losing the argument) found a suitably all around the houses response that lacked any substance.

Let's hope that Ann McGuire isnt from the same charm school as Mr Pearson and she actually Makes Good Choices!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Peak Valley Housing Association

2007-01-11T08:08:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

The Rt. Hon. Ruth Kelly MP confirmed the importance of the Hattersley stock transfer in September 2006 saying that just a few months into her new position as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government; the Department had flagged up Hattersley as an examplar housing project.

Mrs Kelly took time out of her busy Conference schedule to visit Hattersley where the community was celebrating the transfer of housing stock from Manchester City Council to Peak Valley Housing Association (a wholly owned subsidiary of Registered Social landlord Contour Housing Group).

Mrs Kelly praised the unique collaboration between Contour Housing Group, English Partnerships, Manchester and Tameside Councils, local residents and the Housing Corporation. A collaboration which finally came to fruition on 25.9.06 when over 1700 properties on the Hattersley & Mottram Estate were transferred to Peak Valley Housing Association in a deal which many sceptics believed would never happen.

“I congratulate everyone involved for their ambition and the creative solutions that were brought to the table,” she said, “As a Government we would like to see other areas of the country follow your lead and show the same optimism and determination to succeed. I look forward to monitoring your progress and would welcome a return visit in a few years to see how you have moved forward.”

Whilst stock transfers in themselves are not unusual, in Hattersley the challenge for the partners was to look at the wider picture and at the same time regenerate the whole area. A masterplan included not just the refurbishment of former council properties but a new district centre with retail outlets and a health centre, an improved infrastructure, better public transport, private housing and an enhanced environment.

Mike Creamer Chief Executive of Contour Housing Group said, “Hattersley has been one of the most challenging projects of my career. However, thanks to a genuine partnership between the public/private sector and what we consider to be a daring and innovative approach to this stock transfer, the residents of Hattersley can now at last get the future they deserve.”

Bill Skillki, Area Director of English Partnerships said, "This is a significant milestone for people living in Hattersley. It now paves the way for the wider regeneration of the area, which English Partnerships is helping to deliver. This includes a new district centre with shops, businesses and community services, improved roads, parking and public space as well as new homes in tandem with work to upgrade this existing social housing.”

In order to deliver its ambitious masterplan Contour needed to plug a £18.5m hole in its business plan. It was decided that this money could be raised if redundant and derelict parcels of land could be sold on to private developers and both Manchester and Tameside Councils ‘gifted’ the land necessary to enable the plan to go ahead.

Rather than sell off the land piece by piece which would have further delayed the masterplan, national regeneration agency English Partnerships offered to underwrite the sum needed and undertook a major marketing campaign to attract private development. The response from the private sector has been very positive and an announcement on the successful developer is expected shortly.

Mike Creamer believes that the partnership approach has played a major part in the success of Hattersley. He adds, “All the partners have played a key role. Manchester and Tameside generously provided the land, English Partnerships took the financial risk and the Housing Corporation provided £3.5 million in capital funding to enable us to develop a range of re-housing options for residents affected by clearance.

“Manchester City Council also provided grant funding to assist Contour in its post transfer demolition programme and the Hattersley Neighbourhood Partnership played a major part in co-ordinating work across all agencies.

“Finally of course, without the dedication and commitment of the residents nothing would have been possible. The talking is over and the transformation can begin.”

This transfer has been closely watched by the housing sector and politicians who believe the Hattersley approach could be replicated elsewhere in the country.

Executive Tameside Council Leader Cllr. Roy Oldham said, “For the last three years Tameside Council has been working on this unique and ground breaking stock transfer. Over the next five to 10 years Hattersley and Mottram will be transformed with the refurbishment of the existing stock, new residential developments, employment opportunities through commercial and retail development, the enhancement and improvement of open spaces and the development of the railway station.

“Its a groundbreaking occasion for the area and the transfer will be welcomed by residents who voted overwhelmingly for the transferring of their homes to Peak Valley Housing Association. We all now look forward to a period of sustained improvements and investment in the area’s facilities and the establishment of a truly sustainable neighbourhood.”

The energy efficiency improvement works will start early February 2007 alongside a full programme of upgrades to the stock including windows, new roofing, insulation, heating, doors, kitchens and bathrooms.

The insulation works will be supported with funding from an energy supplier with all the cavity wall insulation and some of the 0-270mm loft insulations being 100% funded saving the SHP atleast £100,000 investment !

The main contractor managing the Estate programme will be Casey in partnership with Arcus, who specialise in property refurbishment and conversion, using architects and building surveyors using a highly successful 'one-stop' facility where all their requirements can be met through a single point of contact. Simon Fenton Partnership based in Manchester are also an important and key part of the project team.

Information about Simon Fenton Partnership:

The practice was formed in 1988 and has continued to build up a strong and successful reputation whilst working on a wide variety of projects of up to £60M in value. The practice has extensive experience of working at home and overseas in all major market sectors and also a variety of building types for public, commercial and private clients.

The range of services provided by the practice have a specific emphasis on cost effective design through cost control and contractual advice from inception through to completion of the project.

In addition to SFP core skills of quantity surveying and cost consultancy SFP also offer a number of additional services and roles such as project management and construction management.

SFP have worked with and continue to work with several of the most acclaimed and award winning architects in the United Kingdom. They have also built similar long-term associations with clients by the creation of excellent working relationships based on professional trust through regular, informative and responsible interaction. The high number of repeat commissions SFP acquire is a measure of their success.

SFP's work and involvement on several projects has been recognised with awards from both the RIBA and Civic Trust. SFP believe that this is testament to not only the quality of the completed building but also the teamwork and close collaboration of the professional team which is essential to the success of any project.

The Partnership has BSEN ISO 9001 accreditation and is a member of Constructionline.

Information about Arcus:

Arcus Consulting LLP were announced winners as 'Partnering Consultant of the Year' at the prestigious 2006 Housing Excellence award ceremony, held at the Mere Golf and Country Club in Cheshire. More than 600 of the country's leading housing professionals attended the awards to celebrate those organisations who have distinguished themselves over the last 12 months in both the social and private housing sectors.

Arcus were selected by a panel of leading industry experts including Dr Tom Manion of Irwell Valley Housing, former president of the Chartered Institute of Housing, Ian Richardson, and Local Government Taskforce member Noel Foley.

They were chosen for their outstanding credentials in partnering social housing providers across the North of England in developing and delivering major regeneration programmes.

Speaking to Penni Pennington of Northern Housing after the event she commented on the outstanding number of nominations Arcus had received from their clients and supply chain partners.

Clive Sellers, Managing Partner comments, "This is a significant milestone for the Practice and one which we could not have achieved without the commitment and hard work of Arcus staff and ongoing support from our clients and supply chain partners".

Peak Valley Housing Association - Making Good Choices !

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Come Fly With Me

2007-01-11T00:37:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

Ryanair boss blasts green lobby as 'nutters'

Michael O'Leary

The boss of Europe's largest budget airline has blasted the pollution lobby for blaming global warming on cheap air travel.

Ryanair's Michael O'Leary criticised what he termed `middle class angst' about air travel.

In a characteristically blunt attack, he rounded on politicians and `environmental nutters' for `persecuting' the aviation industry by raising concerns about its effect on the planet.

The outburst comes days after environment minister Ian Pearson branded Ryanair the `irresponsible face of capitalism' for opposing an EU carbon emissions scheme.

Mr O'Leary, who expects his airline to overtake Lufthansa as the biggest carrier in Europe by the end of this year, said figures show that air travel compares favourably with other polluters.

He said: "There's a lot of bull**** being peddled, mainly by a couple of environmental nutters, that aviation is the cause of global warming, climate change and everything else. Air transport isn't. Every statistical record confirms air transport generates just 1.6 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions - that's if you believe the Stern Report.

Increase

"If you believe EU environmental agency figures it's 1.8 per cent. Either way it's less than two per cent."

The airline boss, who recently bought 167 new aircraft, said Ryanair was going to increase its passengers in Europe to more than 50 million by March 2008 and double its traffic by 2012.

He insisted that the way to reduce the carbon footprint from flights was to push airlines to upgrade their planes to new models that create 50 per cent less emissions per seat, 45 per cent lower fuel burn and 45 per cent less noise.

He added: "We believe that governments can take sensible measures to reduce the impact on the environment of aviation, but that means actually targeting the polluters and rewarding the people who are environmentally friendly, such as Ryanair."

Referring to EU statistics, Mr O'Leary claimed that marine travel was a bigger CO2 polluter than aviation, yet didn't attract any of the controversy.

He said: "I have yet to see articles all over the press that we should do something about the ships and the ferries - not a peep out of them.

"For some reason it's always the airlines and aviation that seem to be the target for these nutbags."

And a nutbag from Dudley too by the looks of things ...! Mr Pearson - wind your neck in! Even your Boss Mr Milliband distanced himself from your comments and gave the impression that you may have made a grave error of judgement by choosing to single out Ryanair - why isolate when you could have gathered far more kudos and respect by lumping every carrier and passenger into the same bargain bag ?

My carbon footprint for 2006 was HUGE - however I'm sure that the measures that will be installed via EnergySmart during 2007 will more than redress the balance!

Make Good Choices

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

WANTED

2007-01-10T21:59:00.000Z

"It's an extremely precious thing that just needs managing from day to day - its a really simple thing, and it can be done." - Sir Gerry Robinson, quote from "Can Gerry Save The NHS?" BBC2 series.

Please will the following people take heed and apply the same principle to the UK's Climate Change policy - what does it take to get ahead of the inertia that we are currently facing? We were supposed to be advised in December 2006 about the likely content of EEC3 in terms of measures and PG split - the clock is tick, tock, tick, tock, ticking ....!

WANTED - Positive Action On EEC NOW!

Alistair & David - please Make Good Choices?

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

EU Energy Action!

2007-01-10T21:28:00.000Z

Hello My Friends,

Fresh from the DTI newsdesk:

Wednesday 10 January 2007 12:07
Department of Trade and Industry (National)

Consumers and environment benefit from EU energy action

Common energy policy to tackle EU single market failures and curb greenhouse gas emissions

UK Ministers today strongly welcomed the publication by the European Commission of a package of groundbreaking and farsighted proposals on energy strategy and climate change.

The proposals build on the initiative taken by Prime Minister Tony Blair at Gleneagles and Hampton Court in 2005 when he put energy and climate change at the top of the international agenda for the first time, and since then in his discussions with world leaders. They mark the opening of an intense six month window of opportunity that could lead to radical EU policies being agreed at the EU Spring Council in March and agreement by the G8 plus 5 of the elements of a future post Kyoto framework.

Commenting following the adoption by the Commission of its Strategic Energy Review; its Energy Sector Inquiry; and its Communication on Climate Change, Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling said:

"The link between energy strategy and climate change is now incontrovertible and the need for concerted action is clear. These latest formative steps in the creation of a common energy policy for the EU will benefit consumers and businesses right across the continent and build on the developing international response to climate change.

"The UK has long argued for Europe's energy markets to be opened up to the sort of fair competition that we take for granted here in the UK. We kick started this process during our Presidency of the EU in 2005 and the Commission should be credited with the hard work that has gone into bringing forward this concrete package of proposals.

"The Commission today places centre stage the need for competitive, transparent and integrated energy markets based on a stable and clear regulatory framework. The Sector Inquiry identifies serious problems with the EU's energy market. Effective unbundling, further transparency and actions on powers of regulators are all part of the same package to ensure that the market functions effectively to bring the best deal to Europe's energy consumers."

Environment Secretary David Miliband said:

"Climate change is the greatest challenge that we face which is why it is right that the EU puts climate change at the heart of its energy strategy. As the Stern Review and the EU Commission now make clear, getting to grips with this challenge is achievable and affordable.

"The EU and other developed nations need to show leadership if we are to reach an international agreement on climate change. That's why we welcome the Commission's proposal for a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by industrialised countries by 2020 - a target we have already proposed that the EU should itself adopt as part of an international agreement.

"In the meantime, we support the Commisson's proposal for the EU to commit unilaterally to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020 - as a springboard to catalyse the more ambitious international action necessary to avoid dangerous climate change. This will also send a strong signal to business thereby encouraging the investment necessary to put the EU on track to a low carbon energy future."

Ends

Department of Trade and Industry
7th Floor
1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET

Come on David - sort it out man !! Less talk and more ACTION please?!

Make Good Choices People

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Get Your Crystal Balls Out !

2007-01-09T09:13:00.000Z

Will energy prices come down?

Ed Monk, This is Money (As reported in the Metro news edition)
30 December, 2006

With experts anticipating long-awaited cuts in bills in 2007, we assess the prospects of your gas and electricity costs in the coming year.

January sees three energy companies implement price rises after record increases throughout 2006.

The year kicks off with a previously announced rise from Scottish & Southern Energy on 1 January. SSE gas bills will increase 12.2% while electricity prices go up by 9.4%.

A week later, on 8 January, customers on the popular British Gas Click Energy tariff will suffer 12% increases in gas and 10% increases in electricity bills. These are the same rises that British Gas applied to the bulk of it's customers in September.

Finally, npower is jacking up the price of its Gas Guardian Tariff – the plan launched to tempt disaffected British gas customers – with 39½% increases planned.

Other customers on fixed price deals may also feel the heat as their current deals come to an end and they are placed on a more expensive tariff with their supplier.

Those on Powergen or Scottish Power's capped deals will see their bills rise from next week as their fixed period comes to an end.

The increases cap 12 months of record energy price rises – gas up 54% and electricity up 36% overall – and the pain of price increase announcements will only continue when the bills themselves start rolling in.

Paul Green from energy price comparison business Energyhelpline.com said: 'Millions of consumers are going to be hit by the worst bills on record, with the three waves of price rises that have taken place this year about to filter through to winter bills due to arrive on doorsteps the second week of January.'

The rises mean that the levels of fuel poverty – when individuals spend more than 10% of their disposable income on heat and light – will jump to 2½m after the latest increases take hold.

But there may be light at the end of the tunnel. Earlier in December British Gas announced that it planned to cut bills from Spring 2007.

It is unclear if the other energy suppliers would follow suit – British Gas is the most expensive supplier and has been steadily punished as customers switch to rivals – but it could signal more cuts in prices.

Suppliers claim the big increases of recent years are justified because the wholesale price of energy – what the suppliers themselves pay – has been high by historical levels. They have bought as much as nine months of energy in advance at these higher prices so they need to pass this extra cost onto consumers.

However, wholesale prices have fallen sharply in 2006 - mainly because of new imported supplies of gas have become available via pipelines from Norway and the Netherlands.

The wholesale price of gas is down by 36%. Cheaper gas also means cheaper electricity because suppliers use gas to run 40% of electricity power stations.

These prices falls should trickle down to customers and reduce their bills in 2007.

All eyes will be on the suppliers to see how quickly they pass on reductions to their customers and the industry watchdog, Energywatch, has called for a Competition Commission investigation into the market to ensure that suppliers are not artificially keeping bills high.

Whatever happens to prices, customers should shop around to make sure they are paying the least possible for their energy bills. Use services like the one here to switch to the cheapest suppliers.

The Daily Mail reported yesterday that British Gas were about to introduce a £5 penalty fee for all customers who do not pay their bills within 28 days. British Telecom did the same thing in January 2005. This is outrageous when they are promising price reductions - talk about "robbing Peter to pay Paul" - especially when they are closing down their Stokeley Park operation and making 1300 people jobless - cheeky monkeys!

Enjoy your day - its my birthday today and I feel terrific and glad to be alive !

Make Good Choices People !

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

The Green Britain Report

2007-01-08T05:39:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

I trust you enjoyed a relaxing weekend after the first week back to work !

Channel Five will be running a series of articles this week entitled "The Green Britain Report" at 7pm each evening packed with tips and information relating to domestic energy efficiency in the UK.

One preview I have seen features the animal that Channel Five are promoting as our saviour in terms of better energy use - a sheep ! By wearing an extra layer indoors such as a good quality wool jumper you can reduce the heating temperature by atleast one degree and therefore save energy and money instantly.

More highlights will follow this week.

Make Good Choices - buy good knitwear! Anyone who may have given up smoking as part of their New Year's Resolutions could always take up knitting to keep their hands occupied !

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Berlin Elephants

2007-01-05T08:43:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

With Twelfth Night almost upon us, it is time to put away the baubles and tinsel for another year.

In the UK its estimated that we will discard around 6 million Christmas trees this weekend - staggering!

Another statistic is that an extra 750 million bottles are utilised over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

Good news is that the following companies are in partnership with a number of charities including The Woodland Trust and are encouraging us to recycle our old Christmas cards - please do so or alternatively take off the backs, give them to Tesco/TK Maxx/WH Smiths or other participating outlets or the local recycling bins, and save the picture fronts for use as gift tags next Christmas. This is something my Auntie Joan has done for Christmas and birthday presents for years now. Brilliant !!

Tesco
TK Maxx
WH Smiths

I know we cannot feed card, glass or plastic to animals but wouldn't it be great if the Zoos and National Parks in the UK took a tip from their counterparts in Berlin, Germany and ensure all the decorations and anything harmful is removed and then feed the Christmas trees as a treat to the elephants. According to the BBC, elephants are particularly impartial to such a feast?

I recently adopted a monkey at Chester Zoo for Sean as part of his Christmas present - and gave a donation to the Zoo too. Its a cool idea and you can visit the animal you adopt and speak to the keepers etc - fabulous idea for kids of all ages (!)

Enjoy your weekend and please don't forget to recycle, recycle, recycle !!

As my good American friend Mandishka says "Make Good Choices"

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

You Can Call Me Al

2007-01-05T05:32:00.000Z

Hello There My Fellow "Kyotoers"! N.B. This is partly a Skit and if you follow the link its sadly very poor reflection of some attitudes to the serious issues that we face!!

Renegade Glaciers Attacking As Al Gore Warned

By Ron Chusid
Posted on Sat Dec 30th, 2006 at 03:42:24 PM EST

Cross posted from Liberal Values:

Reuters reports on a huge ice shelf breaking free in northern Canada:

A chunk of ice bigger than the area of Manhattan broke from an ice shelf in Canada's far north and could wreak havoc if it starts to float westward toward oil-drilling regions and shipping lanes next summer, a researcher said on Friday.

Global warming could be one cause of the break of the Ayles Ice Shelf at Ellesmere Island, which occurred in the summer of 2005 but was only detected recently by satellite photos, said Luke Copland, assistant professor at the University of Ottawa's geography department.

It's sad when a comedy skit on Saturday Night Live is more accurate about global warming than the Bush White House. Al Gore warned us about "renegade glaciers" which are "on the attack."

Make Good Choices People!
From Your Friend The Energy Angel

An Inconvenient Truth - Poignant Summary

2007-01-04T17:43:00.000Z

Hello My Friends

I am happy to be here to write to you today - I was put in grave danger on New Years Day and my life was at risk. However thanks to the excellent care of A&E staff at Tameside Hospital and the paramedics who attended my home within 15 minutes of the emergency call, I survived.

You may see the story in the local press next week - I have been interviewed today. However this is not about self publicity, its about saving more people from the dangers of GPs who are allowed to practice in this country but who may not be able to communicate or adminster medication correctly as a result.

Anyway, I'm well on my way to recovery now and I thank everyone for their support, especially my close friends and family who were outstanding. I never want to see my Mum and Dad that terrified again and neither my partner Sean who was simply fantastic and stalwart. Thats why I have complained and gone to the press - to stop anyone else potentially being put at risk in the same way.

I will keep you informed of the developments of the investigations.

So I'm housebound for a few days and anyone who knows me will know how hard it is for me to sit still for more than ten minutes !! But I managed to settle long enough today to put on Al Gore's film "An Inconvenient Truth" at last. It simply grabbed me and I didnt move apart from taking notes and quotes from the commentary.

I would urge anyone who has not seen this film to atleast give it 20 minutes in before turning away - I have to confess the "jury was out" with me in relation to Mr Gore beforehand and I was a tad cynical about his intentions, but having now seen the entire film I have totally changed my mind and truly think he is passionate about the moral implications of climate change and not simply the political ones.

Some poignant quotes from Al Gore from the film for you to consider:

"Ultimately this is really not a political issue so much as a moral issue. If we allow that to happen its is deeply unethical".

"I had such faith in our democratic system, our self government. I actually thought and believed that the story would be compelling enough to cause a real sea-change in the way that congress reacted to that issue. I thought congress would be startled too .... and they weren't".

---------------------------------------------------------------

Until I saw the film I didnt know that Al's son had been involved in a serious accident when he was only 6 years old. He was hit by a car and was in hospital for over a month - he was on a life support machine for days but he was a "fighter" and eventually began to breathe on his own again.

Recalling this time, Al Gore says "The possibility of losing what was most precious to me I gained an ability that maybe I didn't have before? But when I felt it, I felt we could really lose it - that what we take for granted might not be here for our children".

"An Inconvenient Truth" published in 2005 - please watch this film and make good choices my friends.

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Scotland Keen To Go With The Wind

2007-01-04T12:02:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

The BBC news reports today as follows:

By Gavin Stamp
Business reporter, BBC News, in Central Scotland

Wind is a key weapon in Scotland's battle against climate change

It is 10 years since the first wind farm was built in Scotland.

As they blow out the candles on the birthday cake, supporters of wind power have plenty else to celebrate.

The industry is currently expanding at a furious pace.

Right now, there are 40 wind farms in operation, accounting for about 40% of Scotland's renewable energy production.

Nearly 50 farms are now either being built or set to be given planning permission. A further 80 schemes are at the planning stage, while nearly 70 more are in early-stage development.

Putting this into context, onshore wind farms account for 97% of all renewable energy schemes currently at either planning or scoping stage.

Political momentum

This momentum has strong political backing. Trade Secretary Alistair Darling recently praised Scotland for being "in the vanguard" of the fight to secure the UK's future energy supplies and fight climate change.

Scotland's own political leaders are equally enthusiastic, having committed themselves to more ambitious renewable targets than their counterparts down south.

We still operate in a very high risk sector. There is scope for development but only as long as the market mechanism does not make it unprofitable

Robert Forrest, Green Power

At the moment they can afford to smile. Scotland generates about 16% of its total energy from renewable sources - its goal is to reach 18% by 2010 and 40% by 2020 - while the UK as a whole lags behind on a paltry 4%.

It is now a question of how far Scotland will exceed its 2010 target, rather than if it will meet it - something which experts say is partly due to the Parliament's supportive stance.

"Most politicians are keen to support projects which are environmentally acceptable, efficient and generate an economic benefit," says Jason Ormiston, acting chief executive of industry body the Scottish Renewables Forum.

"At a Scottish level, the motivation is how to get most out of meeting the targets, how to get the most jobs and the best for the economy by stimulating new technology."

Fair or foul?

With Scottish Power about to start construction on what will become the UK's largest wind farm - the £300m Whitelee project south of Glasgow - the future for wind power in Scotland seems to be serene.

But the longer-term forecast could be much more blustery.

A 2004 report identified planning problems, poor access to the national grid from wind schemes and public opposition to onshore wind farms as real obstacles to growth.

Scottish ministers want to speed up the planning process for wind farms

Two years on, these problems are more pressing now that a range of factors, such as higher steel prices, are making offshore wind projects less commercially viable than anticipated and with alternatives like wave power still in their infancy.

The pressure is on onshore wind farms to deliver - and one operator says conditions in the industry are increasingly "challenging".

"We still operate in a very high risk sector," says Robert Forrest, boss of Green Power, an Alloa firm seeking to build several wind farms.

"There is scope for development, but only as long as the market mechanism does not make it unprofitable."

He is concerned that changes to rules governing how much green energy power firms must buy and at what price - designed to encourage new technologies such as wave power - may make wind unviable for some firms.

Planning pain

At the same time, he says planning bottlenecks mean projects are taking longer and longer to realise.

"The industry's main concern is not quite so much about the result of decisions, but the time taken to get to these decisions. In some cases, it is increasingly unsustainable."

The Whitelee scheme took more than four years to be approved, while larger wind farm proposals are now commonly spending more than two years in the planning system.

Mr Forrest says the industry may be the "victim of its own success", with a tailwind of political enthusiasm, regulatory requirements and the growing appeal of wind farms to investors producing a blizzard of applications which the system cannot cope with.

Opponents of wind farms feel their concerns are being ignored

"As with all land use change, people are quite right to have concerns and it is right to have these things debated," he says of community objections to proposals that have forced a number of recent public inquiries.

"There are plenty of places in Scotland where we would not like to see wind farms. But where they are being positioned correctly, I think the right decisions are taking place."

Figures show that, despite complaints over the length of the planning process, developers are generally getting their desired outcomes.

Scottish ministers, who have the final say over any proposed wind project of more than 50 megawatts, have rejected only two schemes in recent years.

Local anger

To critics, this is proof that economic considerations are taking precedence over wider environmental and social concerns when it comes to official attitudes to wind farms.

"Apart from your family, what else would you fight for, apart from the country," says Gillian Wilson, chair of the Amulree and Strathbraan Windfarm Action Group, set up in 2004 to oppose two proposed wind farms sited within miles of each other in Perthshire.

I don't think the public appreciate the destruction caused by the construction of a wind farm

Gillian Wilson, wind farm opponent

"You have a tiny rural community up against government policy and huge companies with limitless resources," she says of the recent public enquiry held into the plans.

"I don't think the public appreciate the destruction caused by the construction of a wind farm. You are turning a rural landscape into an industrial one."

Her fellow campaigners speak passionately about potential noise disruption, threats to water supplies and the impact on local roads but reject claims of self-interest.

They believe the visual damage done to the countryside by the schemes will compromise the region's tourist industry - one of Perthshire's leading sources of jobs and income.

"They have not come to Scotland for the weather or the good food," she says of visitors.

"They have come, purely and simply, for this [the scenery] and you are taking that away. You are taking a huge risk on what is now Scotland's leading industry."

Ministers contest claims that wind farms have a negative impact on tourism, saying recent studies in the UK and abroad prove otherwise.

But a document posted on the Scottish Executive's website listing "10 myths about wind farms" shows they accept public support cannot be taken for granted.

Another entry to follow shortly to demonstrate !

Make Good Choices (not sure parading about naked behind bits of paper is the right choice but hey it worked for the Calendar Girls!)

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Code For Sustainable Homes

2007-01-03T17:15:00.000Z

Hi There,

As promised, some more information on the forthcoming new code.

Code for Sustainable Homes

On 13 December 2006, the Code for Sustainable Homes - a new national standard for sustainable design and construction of new homes was launched.

Code for Sustainable Homes - A step-change in sustainable home building practice (PDF 264 kb)

By integrating elements of this voluntary Code into new homes and obtaining assessments against the Code, developers will be able to obtain a ‘star rating’ for any new home which will demonstrate its environmental performance.

It will provide valuable information to home buyers, and offer builders a tool with which to differentiate themselves in sustainability terms.

The Code for Sustainable Homes was launched as part of a package of measures towards zero carbon development, including an overaching consulation: Building A Greener Future on the shift to zero carbon; and a consultation on the draft of a new Planning Policy Statement: Planning and Climate Change.

Full Technical Guidance on how to comply with the Code will be published in April 2007.

Communities and Local Government (then ODPM) carried out a public consultation on the code between 4 December 2005 and 6 March 2006. The consultation document, summary of responses to the consultation and the Regulatory Impact Assessment can be viewed on the Communities and Local Government website.

Make Good Choices my friends!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Homes Of The Future Need To Be Greener

2007-01-03T17:00:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends

May I wish you a peaceful and prosperous 2007 ! My first entry of the New Year brings welcome news about the "radical changes" that the Government is promoting for new build properties.

Homes of the future need to be greener

Housing And Planning Minister Yvette Cooper has called for radical changes to be considered to ensure that homes of the future reduce their carbon emissions and help combat climate change. She commented:

"Whether it be turf on the roof, wind turbines in the garden, heat pumps below the basement or micro boilers, the homes of the future will need to be powered in a completely different way.

"We need to develop the technology to support our Victorian terraces and sixties tower blocks as well as our new homes."

Later this year, every new home will need to have an energy performance certificate which will set out its energy efficiency rating and include practical advice on how to cut carbon emissions.

Yvette Cooper added:

"There is great potential to link energy performance certificates with green mortgages where home buyers could get top-up loans at preferential rates."

Last month, at a conference hosted by the WWF, Secretary of State Ruth Kelly launched a challenging package of measures which put tackling climate change at the heart of the planning system and the way we build new homes.

Currently, the energy used to heat, light and run our homes accounts for 27 per cent of all of the UK’s carbon emissions - around 40 million tonnes. To help tackle this, the Government is proposing that all new homes be zero carbon by 2016. Energy efficient and insulated buildings, which draw their energy from zero or low carbon technologies and therefore produce no net carbon emissions from all energy use over the course of a year, will help reduce carbon emissions as well as lowering fuel bills for households.

The new package of measures should see an increase in take-up of sustainable energy measures as well as the more "traditional" installations. It MUST be mandatory to make it work either by Local Authorities ensuring such measures are included in new build planning permissions for new homes and or by Building Regulations?

Watch this space for more news soon.

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Out With The Old, In With The New

2006-12-31T08:13:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

I trust that you had a peaceful and happy Christmas and aren't being forced to the sales ! My compliments of the Season to you all.

Sean and I had a fabulous Christmas (I remarked it was the best one since I was 6 years old!) and together with a couple of friends, we gave up our Christmas Day to help alongside other volunteers at two churches in Stockport, Cheshire.

Our placement was at Grove Lane Baptist Church in Cheadle Hulme Stockport, and we were assisting around 50 guests to the Christmas lunch. There were people from all walks of life, ranging from gentlemen who are homeless to sisters and family members. The atmosphere from the start was amazing and so positive and cheerful.

We helped to set the tables for dinner, and the Reverend (Joanne - lovely lady who looked remarkably like Dawn French in the Vicar of Dibley) took a back seat whilst the organisers martialled everyone with almost military precision. The food was fantastic and we were like a conveyor belt with spuds, turkey, sausages, sprouts, stuffing, carrots, cranberry sauce, bread sauce and gravy.

Sean joined a chap called Albert for lunch. Albert lives alone and is a retired refuse collector with a wicked sense of humour and he has recently had his appendix out - at around 70 he was in good spirits and despite still having stitches from his operation, he polished off the dinner and then tucked into a large helping of Christmas pudding with custard and a mince pie !

Leo was another chap who attended - Leo likes his wine and you had to watched his hands as they seemed to try to find your backside when he talked to you lol !

There was a small family who tugged at my heartstrings, with one of the family members sadly suffering from cancer of the throat and lung. You could tell this chap was made of strong stuff and a natural comedian, with his nan (Elsie) and his older brother and his wife of 5 years enjoying the day. We got on famously, and have been invited to Simon and Claire renewing their wedding vows at the Church in 2007. I look forward to being there!

One of the volunteers was their resident artist - Graham pictured in his glorious waistcoat in one of the photos - whose handmade decorations and pictures and fabric wall hangings are superb. I have tried to capture this but the photos really don't do his work justice.

We took a chap called Sidney home to his bungalow with a box of sandwiches, some mince pies and a cyclamen plant. He enjoyed the heated front seat in Sean's car !

So all in all it was a fabulous way to spend the day and I would recommend it highly to anyone who may feel that they could give up their Christmas day to help people who may be less fortunate than yourself or people who simply are alone during the Festive period and all they crave is some good conversation and company.

Grove Lane Baptist Church is looking for volunteers to help out at afternoon tea during weekdays - if you can spare some time please contact them via the website to obtain further information.

I am going to suggest an energy efficiency afternoon session with a local installer so that people can get help and information with access to grants for heating and insulation etc. Hopefully we can continue spread the word !

So my friends I hope that when you reflect on 2006, I hope like me you don't look back in anger and are looking forward to a positive, prosperous and successful New Year !

Enjoy and make good choices - see you all in 2007!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Who's The Biggest "Fuel"?

2006-12-20T07:52:00.000Z

Hello My Friends,

Hope youre well today and not too fog bound. During the last few years I have been working within the rules of the Data Protection Act (as have many people) and I understand the principles behind this legislation.

However there are some cases I could mention where people definitely miss out on assistance or on being given useful information because of this Act or peoples' interpretation of it. In fact in some instances I know of people who have to a large extent hidden behind it and used it as an excuse not to action something that is fundamental wrong!

Take the piece in the Daily Mirror yesterday - highlighted to me by my 76 years young Dad, Mr Percy Taylor.

EXCLUSIVE: YOU FUELS!

Pension chiefs scupper £10m heating giveaway

Edited By Steve Hawkes

BUNGLING pension chiefs have forced British Gas to scrap a £10million Christmas giveaway to its poorest customers. The energy giant wanted to heat the homes of 400,000 people over 80 for free in the "12 Days of Christmas".

But the Department of Work and Pensions has effectively blocked the scheme by refusing to contact its most vulnerable customers - those on pension credit. In a letter to stunned BG bosses, DWP head of strategy Lyn Macdonald blames a "policy-based decision". She adds: "We couldn't help one commercial company and not others in the sector."

Its decision comes despite support for the idea from Chancellor Gordon Brown and energy minister Lord Truscott. There are now atleast four million Brits in fuel poverty - spending at least 10 per cent of their income on gas and electricity.

Brown was so in favour of the plan, first mooted last month, that Treasury officials tried to get BG's rivals to do the same.

The industry-wide donation would have been matched by the government and was to be included in the Chancellor's pre-Budget speech.

A BG insider told Your Money yesterday: "The DWP is stuck in the old world. Ministers have been calling for us to do more for the over-80s. But the DWP seem to be saying let pensioners shiver in the name of equal treatment." British Gas has now decided to extend its existing Winter Rebate scheme to an extra 100,000 customers instead.

This gives money back to customers on benefits such as working tax credit, council tax credit or disability allowance.

A DWP spokeswoman told Your Money it would be "anticompetitive" to help one business. She added: "We would rather work through energy regulator Ofgem to help all people through all providers."

The DWP added there would have been data-protection concerns.

You can draw your own conclusions I am sure - what an outrageous example of beaurocracy and "PC"ness - peoples' lives could have been saved. I hope the people at the DWP who made this crass decision don't live to regret it if someone who could have been helped but for this block perishes during the Winter months. I pray for a mild Winter and for some sense to be injected into our Government at the DWP and inside Ofgem!

Make good choices.

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Your Own Personal Eco Footprint

2006-12-18T12:30:00.000Z

Hello my Fellow EECers!

Thats EEC as in Energy Efficiency Commitment ! Trust you are well.

I completed a Eco Footprint quiz today and I was totally shocked at my results. If everyone on the planet lived like I do at the moment then we would need 2.2 planets !!!

I would encourage you to take the same test and then pledge to improve your efficiency - my score collapsed around food and packaging of the food I buy. If Sean (my other half) chucks any half eaten cheese or grapes again I will take him to task! We all buy and then waste far too much food - especially at Christmas. So please think when you are about to buy things that you would never dream of eating at any other time just in case dear Uncle Norman might want to pick at a packet of dates or cashew nuts ! He can do without Im sure you will agree and still be dear Uncle Norman anyway x

Once again my friends - Make Good Choices.

TTFN
From Your Friend The Energy Angel

2006-12-18T12:00:00.000Z

Hello Friends,

I would like you to consider just how much energy you could save by simply turning your PC off when you aren't using it?

The answer is mind blowing - just think about the following facts taken from the fabulous initiative website localcooling.com:

More than 30 billion kilowatt-hours of energy is wasted because many of us simply forget to shut down our computers when we’re not using them. If we could just improve the efficiency of how we use our PCs, the savings in energy costs would be over $3 billion! (thats nearly £1.6 billion at todays exchange rates). The CO2 emissions from just 15 computers are equivalent in energy terms to the fuel consumption used by one car.

A barrel of oil contains 42 gallons and produces an average 556 kilowatt hours of electrical power. Now consider your computer. A good spec PC can use up to 200 watts per hour. If you have a CRT monitor, it adds a further 80 watts (TFT screens use less). So your system is consuming over 1 KWh of power for every four hours of normal use. If you leave your computer on 24/7, that’s the equivalent of a whole barrel of oil every 90 days! If you optimize your computer with LocalCooling and power down when you’re not using it you could extend this to over six months!

Remember, if you leave the PC on with just a screen saver on the CRT when you’re not using it, it’s STILL using up to 280 watts per hour of completely wasted power. Power that pumps out 1.5lbs of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere for every KWh. If left on for 24 hours that’s 9lbs of CO2 every day and 3,285lbs per year. That’s more than 1.6 tons of CO2 thrown up into the atmosphere just to keep your one single PC working.

So my friends, turn it off when you have finished and make a difference immediately and SPREAD THE WORD!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Earth:Dig It, But Dig It Right

2006-12-18T11:42:00.000Z

Hey There My Friends,

As you may know from previous posts, I have been looking into the renewable technologies that we can access in the UK to help to reduce our burden on the Earth and its resources.

Ground source heat pumps are one of my favourite measures and will attract much attention from SHP's and their Building Contractors when reviewing their 10% renewable commitment for new build projects.

The cost of excavation can be an issue - however one solution could be to combine the application with the landscaping aspects of a development and this could work equally well with any retro fit projects too?

One thing to look out for though - when you dig your bore holes be careful how deep you go !

Come back soon and more news to follow - if you have any comments or questions please get in touch.

Make good choices!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

The Size Of Our World

2006-12-18T11:39:00.000Z

Hello Peeps!

Hope youre ok - just found a very thought provoking and interesting site that shows the scale of the Earth in our solar system and beyond.

Enjoy !!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Hallelujah!

2006-12-18T11:20:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

Hope you are well and looking forward to Christmas this year. Isn't the weather freaky at the moment - trees sprouting new leaves at the same time as shedding this year's, plants flowering in December, warmest year on record (the latest in a line of the warmest years in history that have all occured in the past 12 years - 10 out of 12 !). And some people still want to argue that climate change and global warming arent real ??!!

Mr Simpson's funeral service was the most dignified affair that I have ever had the priviledge to witness and Mrs Simpson is simply an enigma. It was a sad day but it was lovely to meet all Joe and Marjorie's many friends - they know some great people and it was a pleasure to be in their company too.

The conversation turned to how I had met Mr and Mrs S and naturally we talked about energy bills and the cost of heating your home in the UK at the moment. I note with concern that none of the older people at the funeral and the tribute lunch afterwards had even heard of local grants or the Warm Front scheme - so hopefully we can work to put that right and raise awareness. Most of the lovely people who attended could benefit greatly from these forms of assistance and also probably be entitled to more household income etc?

Big news on Friday last week - British Gas, having lost almost 1 million customers this year, have decided to reduce their domestic tarrif(s) to reflect a drop in wholesale gas prices. Hoorah !! Its only taken them 4 months to announce this - do you think they will back date any rebate ?!

Good news - but will the other energy suppliers follow suit ? I guess it depends on how many clients would switch or if they can take a drop in profits?

British Gas owner Centrica plans to cut retail gas prices in Spring 2007 after a fall in wholesale costs.

Centrica also said its full-year earnings were on target to be more than many analysts had forecast, despite losing 978,000 accounts this year.

Facing stiff competition, Centrica is restructuring and added that it would cut 1,310 jobs to boost efficiency (hope my pal Linda will be okay).

Gas companies have been criticised in recent months for passing on high wholesale prices to consumers.

'Improving margins'

Centrica said that a price cut was on the cards because the "warmest autumn on record in the UK has coincided with the predicted additional supplies of gas being delivered".

It added that the extra supplies and a 15% decline in residential gas demand meant that "although the winter is still ahead of us, margins are improving".

"Against this background we have decided to absorb additional distribution costs of around £100m per annum, and we plan to reduce prices for our customers in the spring," Centrica said.

"We remain resolute in our belief that British Gas must establish reasonable and sustainable profitability to provide long-term energy security of supply while delivering value to the customer," it explained.

Many observers have complained that firms such as Centrica were making large profits at the expense of vulnerable energy consumers who would have been badly affected by high prices over the winter months.

Centrica said its British Gas Residential Energy division had returned to profit in the second half, helping the company to top the average analyst forecast for earnings of about 18 pence per share.

Shifting work

Centrica said it planned to shut headquarters of British Gas Residential Energy at Stockley Park with the loss of 700 back office roles. The staff will be relocated to Staines.

There will also be a restructuring of the British Gas Services team, with the loss of 340 jobs, with about 270 posts to go from the group's corporate structure.

Many of the employees losing their posts will be found alternative service positions at British Gas, Centrica said.

British Gas are only doing it as a means to avoid further millions jumping ship

Paul, London

The gas provider added that it expected its price cuts to help keep customers, and that even though it had lost 6% of customers this year, the rate of churn has slowed in recent weeks.

"Moving customers onto our new system undoubtedly led to some teething problems this year," said Chief Executive Sam Laidlaw. "And service levels need to be improved."

"Signalling these price decreases should help reduce churn," he added. "We will cut customer prices in the spring, with the exact amount to be decided once we have complete clarity of winter gas costs."

I love that word "churn" - yet another industry term ! Let's hope that when British Gas do bring reduced rates into effect in Spring 2007 (and heres hoping its a mild winter too) that no one suffers from the delays that such a late implementation will create.... they could help to remove a lot of clients from fuel poverty but talk is cheap. Let's see some action now Sam !!

Make good choices !

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Carbon Credit Card

2006-12-13T13:09:00.000Z

Hi There,

According to an article featured recently in the Islamic State News Agency reports, every citizen in Britain could be issued with a carbon "credit card" to effectively ration individual use of energy sources blamed for causing climate change, according to a feasibility study published on Monday this week.

Environment Secretary David Milliband described the idea of individual carbon allowances as "a simplicity and beauty that would reward carbon thrift," and acknowledge that the plan faced technical difficulties. (JT - is he kidding? - how in the name of Sam Hill is this going to work?!! Who is going to monitor it, how will usage be measured, how do we prevent fraud, racketeering, abuse, will we all need to be tagged...!?)

Under the proposal, prepared by the Centre for Sustainable Energy for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Britons would have to swipe their carbon card every time they bought petrol, paid an energy utility bill or booked an airline ticket.

Every one would be given an annual allowance they could utilise.

If more carbon was wanted, it would have to be bought from someone else hoping to have a credit surplus.

Milliband insisted that "bold thinking is required because the world is in a dangerous place" due to climate change caused by carbon emissions.

"It is a way of pricing carbon emissions into individual behavior and it would recognize carbon thrift, as well as economic thrift," he said in an interview with the Guardian newspaper Monday.

The scheme was expected to be discussed at a special cabinet committee meeting on the future role of the state, but the environment secretary insisted that the government needed to overcome the technical difficulties the proposals faced.

The report suggested that some of the problems that needed to be solved included the risk of fraud, the cost of the scheme and the relationship of the scheme with plans to introduce ID cards.

I am certainly not in the habit of knocking innovation and creativity but there are seriously much more readily available mechanisms that should warrant Mr Milliband's immediate attention - practical reality rather than quango nonsense and yet more taxpayers' money going into another round of consultation.

Never mind the carbon credit cards David - where's the decision regarding EEC3 targets that were promised during December 2006 please?!

Hope you dont mind me ranting folks but this is whole idea is plainly unworkable and I felt compelled to shout on behalf of an industry that is crying out for stability!

Make good choices people!

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Mr & Mrs Simpson

2006-12-13T05:41:00.000Z

Hello There,

Some sad news unfortunately.

I managed a scheme in Heywood near Rochdale a couple of years ago - with A&M Insulation - to provide insulation measures to private sector homes in the renewal area.

The scheme was a success and over 300 homes received measures and a number were also referred to Warm Front. One older couple who live on Green Lane in Heywood had loft insulation which unfortunately needed attention later as part of the fitting wasnt quite to spec. To their credit, A&M Insulation resolved the matter efficiently and the householders Mr & Mrs Joe Simpson were very happy.

I visited them with some flowers and chocolates by way of an apology for the inconvenience. From that visit, we became good friends, with Mr & Mrs Simpson entertaining me (literally sometimes!) with tales of their life together when they were singing and dancing for a living around the world. Mrs Marjorie Simpson (yes that really is her name but she doesnt have blue hair) won the karaoke competition on the QE2 when she was 80 !

I helped them to get a new heating system and a new fire. Joe Simpson loved his home and especially his garden which was always immaculate and I will always remember fondly the pink climbing roses around the door of the house in the summer.

Unfortunately Joe became ill late last year and was a bit weak when I visited them just before Christmas last year with a fabulous food hamper donated by Warmer Heating in Liverpool.

Joe and Marjorie were over the moon and it was fantastic to share this with them. Joe was a smart gentleman, with a neat moustache and haircut perfectly Brylcreamed into place. He had a wicked sense of humour and a cheeky twinkle in his eye - I can imagine he was quite the ladies' man when he was younger! Indeed the photos that they showed to me of their many trips and adventures were brilliant - they were a very handsome couple. They returned to England during the 1970's and Marjorie started a hairdressing business in the front room of their home. They still have the loud doorbell which always makes you jump!

Joe had a heart valve inserted around 10 years ago and this helped him to lead a more active and comfortable life. However he was susceptible to the cold and became poorly last year with flu. This led to a collection of fluid in his body which he couldnt disperse and eventually after a year of being ill the fluid reached his lungs and on Friday last week the GP confirmed that Joe was dying.

Mr Joe Simpson passed away at 11pm on Sunday 10th December 2006. He was 90 years young and died peacefully at home with Marjorie at his bedside to the end.

Joe's funeral service will take place on Thursday this week at the Rochdale Crematorium/Cemetery on Bury Old Road, Rochdale OL11 4DG at 11.50 am. He loved flowers so I hope that there will be many tributes to this kind and generous character.

Marjorie is devastated - they have been together for over 60 years. I cannot imagine how she feels but take comfort in the fact that there are lots of friends and family that are supporting her through this very difficult time. The Simpsons didnt have any children together, they preferred to breed Staffordshire Bull Terriers, but have local friends who help with shopping and care for Marjorie.

So my friends I hope that Thursday will be a celebration of Joe Simpson's fabulous life and I am so grateful that the Simpsons came into my life. Anyone who wishes to send flowers please contact the Rochdale Cemetery on the link provided.

Take care and please come back soon.

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Give It Up!

2006-12-11T08:09:00.000Z

Hello There My Friends,

I hope you enjoyed your weekend despite the dreadful weather. I joined my pal Ruth Tillbrook and her lovely son Adam (who is 6 and a total star) at the Morrisons store in Chorley to help raise funds for McMillan Support.

I made the journey from my house on the train - I was surprised at the high standard of comfort! So my journey was more environmentally friendly than taking the car - an option I don't have at the moment and its a bit too far to run !

We met some lovely people and I wasn't quite prepared for the sheer number of people who donated and whose lives have been touched by cancer. There was one gentleman who fund raises for McMillan and also Christies who was a true inspiration and gave us a different donation - four Christmas beanie bears ! We wore them on our McMillan tops with pride !

I would encourage anyone who is able to give up a day or a weekend to raise funds for a charity like these - rather than sponsoring the local school's rugby club tour ?! I know different topics appeal to people and everyone is fully entitled to choice but consider the work that McMillan does and indeed Christies hospital and organisations that provide much needed support and care.

Ruth's husband Robin Tillbrook organised the events that also took place at the Leigh branch of Morrisons and Robin and Ruth know first hand how horrowing it can be to lose a person to cancer - sadly Robin lost his parents. So inspired by the work that McMillan do, Robin is joining a group of likeminded people to attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro on 16th February 2007 to raise even more money for the charity.

I would suggest that if you would like to donate to an extremely good cause please visit Robin's page on the web - I wish him all the very best and considering the amount of training that he and his colleagues are undertaking (one particular Old Man - hill !! - has never had so much attention). In the meantime Ruth is continuing to be my personal trainer as we may well attempt a 10k run for charity in the Spring too - the donations would be for an MS related charity.

Enjoy your week and hope the photos brighten up your day and inspire you to give generously please. And if you donated over the weekend at the Chorley or Leigh Morrison's Stores thank you for your generosity.

One final comment - Adam was at the store with his Mum from 9am on Saturday and was there til around half five. He was an absolute star - at one point when he was getting a litle tired we created a makeshift seat for him on some store baskets. Ruth asked him if he wanted his coat to sit on - his reply was a classic - "Mum I don't want to sit on it, I want to wear it Man !" - needless to say there's no doubt that Adam is his father's son - Robin's a Geordie !

From Your Friend The Energy Angel

Energy Smart UK

British Gas Complaints Surge

Brown's Last Budget - Greener Than Before!

Why Isnt Ken Making Good Choices?

Wembley Stadium

The First In A Long Line Of Price Drops - Hopefully

Europe Diary: Mark Mardell

Barroso Gas Guzzler

EU Agrees Renewable Energy Target

Switch Onto Savings US Style!

Rains Help Cool Barrier Reef & Dead Sea At Risk

Navarra Ole!

Friends Of The Earth - Get Involved!

Dr Rajendram - Results Of NHS Complaints Procedure

Drug Error By Dr Rajendram

‘Drug error could have killed me’

Consultation: Planning Policy Statement - Climate Change

Summary:

Happy Anniversary Kyoto

Tipping Point

Eaga Announcement

Hello There My Friends,

Eaga announces intention to seek adminission to trading on the official list of The London Stock Exchange

Enquiries:

Notes to editors:

Introduction

Key Strengths

Proposed Placing

History

Board of Directors

Executive Directors

Non Executive Directors

Pensioner Fuel Bills A Disgrace

Barack Obama

Blackpool MBH Tenants Meeting

Blackpool Council & Housing Corporation Milestone

Blackpool Council becomes the North's first local authority to sign housing protocol agreement with the Housing Corporation

Energy Wasters' League

British Gas Take The Plunge At Last!

Write-Stuff

Mrs Simpson

Result On NEA Support For Rick

NEA’s Support For A Man’s Courage

Tut Heaven - 100 th Posting

Wellbeing Part II

Your Wellbeing

Everyone Knows Its Windy

Alert The Media

Uswitch - Or Please Don't !

Microwave Versus The Cooker

Clean Up Your Air

Code Of Best Practice Carbon Offsetting UK

Establishing a voluntary Code of Best Practice for the provision of carbon offsetting to UK customers

Consultation on establishing a Code of Best Practice for carbon offsetting

Responses

"Nigel" Hill

Rt Hon Dynamic David MP

Plan A

What is Plan A?

Climate

change

Waste

Raw materials

Fair partner

Healthy Eating

Trees & CO2

More Wonderful Facts About Trees And CO2

Bio-Char?

Treeflights Go Bio-Char?

1000th Tree Planted

May A Thousand Saplings Grow...

Treeflights

Can You Ease Your Guilt About Flying?

Boom Shake The Room

Hats Off To Hitman Hatton, Hattersley Hero

Liar Liar Racist Pants On Fire!

Duck Me!

Heat Is On DVD - download update

LESA

Record Repeat Visitor