Ofgem investigation on gas and electricity bill
Ofgem is going to investigate recent energy price rises, according to the BBC.
The watchdog said three of the "big six" suppliers have increased its profit margin per customer by 38%, which means each person has to pay £25 more on top of former £65.
Ofgem is doubting whether "the big three are playing straight with consumers" after the sharp rise in the last three months, and therefore the watchdog decided to conduct a review to exam the issue.
The three suppliers, which have increased its price, are British Gas, Scottish and Southern Energy and Scottish Power.
The review will be completed by next March, and there is nothing can be done to stop the price rising during this winter.
More details of the story, please refer to Energy firms facing gas and electricity price review
Tuesday 30 November 2010
Sunday 21 November 2010
Geological report of West Cumbria story
An initial geological study for West Cumbria to deal with radioactive waste was launched today and looked at areas such as the Copeland and Allerdale.
A local partnership is talking to government about the siting process for a deep geological disposal facility for nuclear waste in the areas.
Charles Hendry, minister of state energy, said: “We must progress implementation of geological disposal, the long-term sustainable solution for dealing with radioactive waste.
The report, according to Mr Hendry, commissioned from the British Geological Survey, is a step forward.
He said:“The geological disposal facility site selection process is based on voluntarism and partnership and these results do not present any reason why West Cumbria cannot continue to consider whether or not to participate in that process.”
The screening of the study does not show where a facility would eventually be located, but is simply intended to avoid unnecessary work in areas.
If a community chooses to proceed further, increasingly detailed geological and other criteria assessment would have to be undertaken.
It is open to all the communities across the country to find out more about the siting process.
(186 words)
A local partnership is talking to government about the siting process for a deep geological disposal facility for nuclear waste in the areas.
Charles Hendry, minister of state energy, said: “We must progress implementation of geological disposal, the long-term sustainable solution for dealing with radioactive waste.
The report, according to Mr Hendry, commissioned from the British Geological Survey, is a step forward.
He said:“The geological disposal facility site selection process is based on voluntarism and partnership and these results do not present any reason why West Cumbria cannot continue to consider whether or not to participate in that process.”
The screening of the study does not show where a facility would eventually be located, but is simply intended to avoid unnecessary work in areas.
If a community chooses to proceed further, increasingly detailed geological and other criteria assessment would have to be undertaken.
It is open to all the communities across the country to find out more about the siting process.
(186 words)
A green deal story
A new energy deal is set to boost the country's employment opportunities to 100,000 by 2015 in the insulation industry, says Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne.
The Green Deal is the Government's new and radical way of making energy efficiency available to all, whether people own or rent their property.
Mr Huhne said: “It's a massive economic and job opportunit which could help Britain's economy turn the corner.
With up to 100,000 green jobs up for grabs over the next 5 year, and even more in the long term, this is about growing our economy in a way that's good for jobs, the environment and energy security.”
He then added: “The Green Deal's about making people feel as warm as toat in their homes. I want Britain to say goodbye forever to leaky lofts and chilly draughts. At a time of increasing gas prices energy efficiency is a no-brainer.”
The work to upgrade the property will be paid back from the saving on energy bills, which means landlord will face no upfront costs when improving their properties.
By 2012, British gas plans to recruit a toal of 3,700 “green collar” jobs through a £30 million investment and help install enegy efficiency in its customers' homes at no up-front cost.
Phil Bentley, Managing Director of British Gas, said: “With rising energy prices, there’s never been a better time to improve the energy efficiency of Britain’s homes.
“That’s why we’ve worked quickly to set up the British Gas Green Deal, a £30million investment in our customers’ homes. In total, we aim to have 3,700 green collar workers in place by 2012.”
The Green Deal, which involves a 3-step proces, is expected to be available from Autumn 2012 to shops and businesses.
The Deal is also part of the changes, which will help 15% of lowest income hoursehold at risk of fuel poverty.
(317 words)
The Green Deal is the Government's new and radical way of making energy efficiency available to all, whether people own or rent their property.
Mr Huhne said: “It's a massive economic and job opportunit which could help Britain's economy turn the corner.
With up to 100,000 green jobs up for grabs over the next 5 year, and even more in the long term, this is about growing our economy in a way that's good for jobs, the environment and energy security.”
He then added: “The Green Deal's about making people feel as warm as toat in their homes. I want Britain to say goodbye forever to leaky lofts and chilly draughts. At a time of increasing gas prices energy efficiency is a no-brainer.”
The work to upgrade the property will be paid back from the saving on energy bills, which means landlord will face no upfront costs when improving their properties.
By 2012, British gas plans to recruit a toal of 3,700 “green collar” jobs through a £30 million investment and help install enegy efficiency in its customers' homes at no up-front cost.
Phil Bentley, Managing Director of British Gas, said: “With rising energy prices, there’s never been a better time to improve the energy efficiency of Britain’s homes.
“That’s why we’ve worked quickly to set up the British Gas Green Deal, a £30million investment in our customers’ homes. In total, we aim to have 3,700 green collar workers in place by 2012.”
The Green Deal, which involves a 3-step proces, is expected to be available from Autumn 2012 to shops and businesses.
The Deal is also part of the changes, which will help 15% of lowest income hoursehold at risk of fuel poverty.
(317 words)
Saturday 20 November 2010
Energy security story
Two new energy projects are given consent today in a bid to boost the UK's energy security.
The investment for both of the projects is set to replace a quarter of the country's generating capacity, which is due to close by 2018.
Charlies Hendry, Minister for Energy commented on today's announcement, he said: “In securing this investment, energy security will be at the forefront of our mind, and a diverse supply is crucial to that. The consent is a double boost for our energy security”.
Mr Hendry gives permission to a 56MW onshore wind farm in Northumberland and a 900 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station in Lincolnshire respectively.
Commenting on the wind farm on the Ray Estate near Kirkwhelpington, he said: “Wind farms have a key role to play in boosing security and cutting carbon emissions. As long as they are well designed and appropriately sites.
“Developers at Ray expect the wind farm to provide enough green electricity to power around a quarter of Northimberland's households.”
In relation to the CCGT power station at West Marsh Road, Spalding, in Lincolnshire, Mr Hendry added: “Not only will the plant in Spalding provide a significant amount of base load electricity, the waste heat could also be used locally.
“We have made it a condition of the consent that the developers must install the necessary plant and pipework to enable the station to supply waste heat to local users if the opportunity to do so materialises.”
(250 words)
The investment for both of the projects is set to replace a quarter of the country's generating capacity, which is due to close by 2018.
Charlies Hendry, Minister for Energy commented on today's announcement, he said: “In securing this investment, energy security will be at the forefront of our mind, and a diverse supply is crucial to that. The consent is a double boost for our energy security”.
Mr Hendry gives permission to a 56MW onshore wind farm in Northumberland and a 900 MW Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power station in Lincolnshire respectively.
Commenting on the wind farm on the Ray Estate near Kirkwhelpington, he said: “Wind farms have a key role to play in boosing security and cutting carbon emissions. As long as they are well designed and appropriately sites.
“Developers at Ray expect the wind farm to provide enough green electricity to power around a quarter of Northimberland's households.”
In relation to the CCGT power station at West Marsh Road, Spalding, in Lincolnshire, Mr Hendry added: “Not only will the plant in Spalding provide a significant amount of base load electricity, the waste heat could also be used locally.
“We have made it a condition of the consent that the developers must install the necessary plant and pipework to enable the station to supply waste heat to local users if the opportunity to do so materialises.”
(250 words)
Carbon capture and storage story
A new technological programme will open to projects on gas-fired power plants and coal-fired power plants, the UK's energy and climate change department says.
The carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration programme is set to ensure the country continues to be at the forefront of CCS development as well as lead the world's development of CCS on gas and coal.
Chris Huhne, Enegy and Climate Change Secretary, said: “We won't be able to take carbon out of all gas plants overnight, but we hope to support the porcess by investment in new technology now.
“In the long run carbon capture will help provide us with a secure and affordable energy system and we want to encourage companies with projects on both gas and coal-fired power stations to come forward.”
Mr Huhne then pointed out that this does not mean the government is imposing the same emission constraints on gas-fired power plants as on coal in the short or medium term, and he wanted to encourage companies to come forward with potential projects.
The govenrment has recently announced that up to £1 billion is to be made available for the first commercial scale CCS demonstration project, and the government is committed to funding four such projects.
The decision to include gas-fired power stations in the programme was made after analysing the net benefits approach, including an assessment of the evidence and recommendations from the Climate Change Committee's second progress report, and information collected through the market sounding exercise.
(249 words)
The carbon capture and storage (CCS) demonstration programme is set to ensure the country continues to be at the forefront of CCS development as well as lead the world's development of CCS on gas and coal.
Chris Huhne, Enegy and Climate Change Secretary, said: “We won't be able to take carbon out of all gas plants overnight, but we hope to support the porcess by investment in new technology now.
“In the long run carbon capture will help provide us with a secure and affordable energy system and we want to encourage companies with projects on both gas and coal-fired power stations to come forward.”
Mr Huhne then pointed out that this does not mean the government is imposing the same emission constraints on gas-fired power plants as on coal in the short or medium term, and he wanted to encourage companies to come forward with potential projects.
The govenrment has recently announced that up to £1 billion is to be made available for the first commercial scale CCS demonstration project, and the government is committed to funding four such projects.
The decision to include gas-fired power stations in the programme was made after analysing the net benefits approach, including an assessment of the evidence and recommendations from the Climate Change Committee's second progress report, and information collected through the market sounding exercise.
(249 words)
Sunday 7 November 2010
Black conscious music story
By Yixiang Zeng
A talk about black conscious music encouraged young people to reach out their dreams and keep learning to discover their potential.
The talk, organised by Akoben Awards ended this year's Black History Month at Gayton Road Library in Harrow town centre last week.
Rap artist Kimba joined the discussion and talked about his newly produced educational CD 'African History: Did you know?' for the Awards.
The Akoben Awards is an organisation which aims to introduce positive and uplifting black music to the community's youngsters, rather than the stereotypical violent or sexual theme related music.
He introduced a song called Oh This Life is for You to the audience, he said: “The lyrics is about inspiring young people reach their goals.
“It is quite important for black history by encouraging young people to follow their dreams.”
He then pointed out the community's business legend Tony Wade who can act as a role model to help youngsters build up their confidence and self-esteem.
Another highlight during the event was Kimba's introduction to another song called Be a Student, he said: “It is quite important that we all want to learn.
“The more we can learn, the more we can take it better to support the black people here. If we want a better society, we all need to learn.”
Among the audience who enjoyed the talk was 10-year-old Lana Agyeman, a Year Five student from Buxlow Preparatory School in Wembley.
He said: “It is very enjoyable. It gives me more about black music and I like the singing and dance.”
A talk about black conscious music encouraged young people to reach out their dreams and keep learning to discover their potential.
The talk, organised by Akoben Awards ended this year's Black History Month at Gayton Road Library in Harrow town centre last week.
Rap artist Kimba joined the discussion and talked about his newly produced educational CD 'African History: Did you know?' for the Awards.
The Akoben Awards is an organisation which aims to introduce positive and uplifting black music to the community's youngsters, rather than the stereotypical violent or sexual theme related music.
He introduced a song called Oh This Life is for You to the audience, he said: “The lyrics is about inspiring young people reach their goals.
“It is quite important for black history by encouraging young people to follow their dreams.”
He then pointed out the community's business legend Tony Wade who can act as a role model to help youngsters build up their confidence and self-esteem.
Another highlight during the event was Kimba's introduction to another song called Be a Student, he said: “It is quite important that we all want to learn.
“The more we can learn, the more we can take it better to support the black people here. If we want a better society, we all need to learn.”
Among the audience who enjoyed the talk was 10-year-old Lana Agyeman, a Year Five student from Buxlow Preparatory School in Wembley.
He said: “It is very enjoyable. It gives me more about black music and I like the singing and dance.”
Wednesday 3 November 2010
Harrow children meet TV star Peppa Pig
By Yixiang Zeng
Children in Harrow came face-to-face with TV stars Peppa Pig and George on Saturday afternoon.
The event at St Ann’s Shopping Centre attracted hundreds of youngsters who got the chance to have their photos taken with the pair.
11-year-old Jasmine was one of the fans who queued up. She said: “I like the characters, they make me laugh, they’re not serious about what they do and they just play.”
Mum Nina Salami had also brought her child along to meet Peppa and George, who have become a smash since their show first appeared on Channel Five.
Nina said: “They like Peppa Pig because it is a very successful show, very entertaining, educational and funny.”
The characters were brought to St Ann’s as part of a series of half-term activities at the shopping centre.
St Ann’s Manager Suzy Wood said: "We’re thrilled to have Peppa Pig and her brother George come to St Ann’s.
“They are much loved TV personalities and it’s great that families are able to meet them here.”
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