UK May Use EU Loophole to Dampen Green Cuts Impact
Britain could buy 'statistical transfers' from other countries. Britain is thinking of using an EU loophole to dodge the impact of its own subsidy cuts on renewable energy and escape fines for missing 2020 European renewable targets. Under EU rules Britain could use the loophole, termed statistical transfer, which would see it pay other, greener, EU countries overshooting their targets, to make up the difference. "We need to stay open to the fullest possible range of options for meeting the 2020 target, including the use of statistical transfer," a spokeswoman for the Department of Energy and Climate Change said.
UK Delivers Blow to Local Shale Project
British local government officials rejected a shale gas project in northwest England on Monday, dealing a blow to Britain's shale gas sector that is supported by Prime Minister David Cameron's government. Officials at Lancashire County Council spurned a shale gas planning application lodged by Cuadrilla Resources, saying the project would have an "unacceptable" visual and noise impact. The unexpected refusal came four days after the same officials rejected another Cuadrilla shale gas application, showing how strong local opposition is to unconventional gas production.