Are Tempers Rising Inside UK Energy and Climate Department?

R2uAVsWy_400x400
on

Tempers are likely running high inside the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) as it continues to defend its controversial energy policy decisions against mountingย criticism.

Yesterday, energy minister Andrea Leadsom sent a series of tweets suggesting tensions are rising, reports Damian Carrington at the Guardian. In these tweets Leadsom accuses critics of lies, distortion andย nonsense.

This come after DeSmog UK reported remarks by Leadsom at the Conservative party conference last Wednesday where she said โ€œThere is no chance in the near term that we move away from fossil fuels; that just cannot happen,โ€ later adding โ€œwe also want to succeed in carbon capture and storage โ€“ a way of lengthening our use of fossilย fuels.โ€

These comments were picked up and criticised by environmentalists on Twitter, to which Leadsom replied: โ€œTotal distortion of what I said. Shame itโ€™s only by these tactics that you can make yourย caseโ€ฆโ€

Leadsom also sent out heated responses to those criticising the departmentโ€™s attack on renewable energy to which she tweeted โ€œgosh more nonsense being pedalled by supposedly green supporters. The truth is always better youย know.โ€

The tweets come after Leadsomโ€™s boss, energy and climate secretary Amber Rudd delivered a speech defending renewable energy subsidy cuts at the party conference, in particular ending support for onshore windfarms. This is despite figures showing that onshore wind is now the cheapest source of electricity.

You can read the full story here at the Guardian.

Photo: DECC viaย Flickr

R2uAVsWy_400x400
Kyla is a freelance writer and editor with work appearing in the New York Times, National Geographic, HuffPost, Mother Jones, and Outside. She is also a member of the Society for Environmental Journalists.

Related Posts

on

An official complaint slams MCC Brussels for failing to declare its funding, and warns that European democracy is under โ€œsevere attackโ€.

An official complaint slams MCC Brussels for failing to declare its funding, and warns that European democracy is under โ€œsevere attackโ€.
Analysis
on

The American refiner pitched a pivot away from Alberta suppliers ahead of President Trumpโ€™s trade war salvo.

The American refiner pitched a pivot away from Alberta suppliers ahead of President Trumpโ€™s trade war salvo.
Opinion
on

The first step is to listen and acknowledge that people of all political stripes are feeling confused, overwhelmed, angry, and scared.

The first step is to listen and acknowledge that people of all political stripes are feeling confused, overwhelmed, angry, and scared.
on

Companies and states most responsible for climate change are also those working hardest to prevent climate action, new Carbon Majors report finds.

Companies and states most responsible for climate change are also those working hardest to prevent climate action, new Carbon Majors report finds.