Thursday
Oct232014
by 
Bishop Hill
Bishop Hill Thinking about energy costs
Oct 23, 2014 EU Ahead of the upcoming EU summit [the independent think tank] Open Europe has today published a new analysis of the EU’s energy and environment policies. The study reveals that by 2020, EU-measures in this area will on average add 23% (£350,000) to small and medium sized firms’ energy bills in the UK. Meanwhile, household bills will increase by almost £150 (11%) a year.
[Link repaired. TM]
Reader Comments (10)
The link reports "The page /blog/2014/10/23/ss_temp_url could not be located on this website."
The Mails take on this:
"But today’s study, based on an analysis of official Government figures, suggests that EU green measures have already added £59 to the average dual fuel energy bill in this country.
It suggests this figure will rise to £149 by 2020 as the Government strives to meet a binding target of producing 15 per cent of electricity from renewable sources.
Today’s report warns that the impact on business will be even greater, with the average medium-sized firm set to see its energy bills rise by 23 per cent as a result of green measures emanating from Brussels."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2804129/EU-green-targets-add-150-energy-bills-Brussels-wants-UK-slash-carbon-emission-40-2030.html#ixzz3GxvDDArA
However, when figures of the effect upon the "average energy bill" are bandied about, nearly all fail to clarify that in addition to his own bill increase, the domestic consumer also picks up the tab for about 75% of the increases for ALL businesses, factories & government buildings too. The ONLY part of the latter which doesn't ultimately get paid-for by domestic consumers, is the small part some companies manage to 'export'.
"household bills will increase by almost £150 (11%) a year."
if inflation is 2.5% over the next 6y then thats an increase of 70% in real terms! (1.095^6)
Personally, I will be surprised if my energy bills are LIMITED to 11% a year. That is how optimistic I am!
Add to that cost increase the advice given to the elderly this winter:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/energy-bills/11181803/Turn-your-thermostats-down-and-help-save-planet-elderly-told.html
I'm fit, active and in my '50's. Our main thermostat is set at 19C, so that's the maximum temp in winter. If I'm in the house during the day we don't have the heating on - it's too expensive. The inside day temperature can be down to 17C and I can confirm that 18C is certainly not sufficient to keep an inactive elderly person safe.
The fact that energy policy in modern Europe has brought us to the point where government departments are giving 'advice' such as that shown in the telegraph article is downright wicked. It's the 21st Century for goodness sake.
It makes me so angry.
Miliband's promise keeps energy bills frozen HIGH, cos despite global price fall, corps now afraid to LOWER prices
Saving ?? How can Labour's cost count page be sure of a saving if they lock you into high prices in a world of falling energy prices"It's the 21st Century for goodness sake. " Cumbrian Lad.
So much for all those futurist movies where we live in clean warm paradise.
The way this Climate Change thing has taken such a stranglehold of the world, is fearsome to say the least.
More ammunition for UKIP!
Bishop Hill
You links you give for each 'No it isn't' are not arguing that 2 degrees C global warming is not dangerous - myself and the others are arguing that we don't know whether it's dangerous or not, and/or that global mean temperature is not a relevant metric for 'dangerous climate change' or for policy targets.
My comment above somehow ended up in the wrong thread! Don't know how. Anyway, I've re-posted it in the intended place here.