The UK utility companies have all now, save for e on, issued announcements of significant and way above inflation increases in fuel prices.
The latest was French giant EDF which announced increase which average out at 10.8%. Naturally the media rigorously investigated the cause or need for such a large increase - oh wait! They didn't.
EDF stated that the reason that this increase was necessary was because wholesale gas prices had risen by 4%, oh, and the rest was caused by power users needing to subsidize renewable energy costs and the vulnerable.
I do not have a problem with EDF making a profit, reported to be £ 1.6 billion, last year. This, on a turnover of more than £52 billion doesn't seem excessive. Anyway, isn't Ofgem there to see that the utility companies are not gouging us?
I do though have a problem with having to subsidize the ugly and inefficient renewables power sector. And to be subsidizing them in such a great way but also in such a concealed way. Why are political parties not shouting, loudly and often, that the greater portion of our energy costs are being used to sustain an otherwise totally unsustainable industry? Where is the media outrage at this wholesale daylight and nighttime robbery?
I am afraid you won't see it because to do so would be to attack two of the greatest of modern day myths - The EU and the 'man-made Global warming' lie.
The EU is pushing for and legislating for carbon emission reductions - the UK is in the forefront of closing down coal fired power stations. So much in the front that Ofgem predict we will experience wide-spread power outages within a couple of years. Not because we can't afford the fuel or because it isn't available but simply because we are choosing to follow idiotic and half-baked (and certainly un-joined-up) Green policies.
The James Delingpole book, Watermelons, does a far better job than I could ever do at exposing the sham and shaming so called 'science' about 'man-made Global warming'. I strongly recommend this as a must-read. Delingpole painstakingly and convincingly confronts the myths being perpetrated and exposes them for the lies that they are.
Then there is the other purported reason for the higher than wholesale price increase - namely that the energy providers are now taking on the social responsibility of subsidizing the 'vulnerable in society'. Yes that's right! Energy prices now act as a re-distributive tax to take from some and give to others.
What's next? Mothercare or Tesco charging higher prices for disposable nappies and then subsidizing those poor teenage mums who made the wrong 'career choice'?
Surely if these 'vulnerable members of society' needed help in paying their bills then the state's welfare programmes should be used? Not some hidden 'poor tax' in our energy prices.
Oh, and think again about those wholesale gas price increases. Where in the world have they decreased rather than increased? The good old US of A. Why? Because the USA has embraced shale gas and is full-on exploiting it. In the UK and EU though, this is something that the 'greens' simply can't allow. A hair shirt is only effective if it hurts make it from angora and it just doesn't achieve the redistributive goal!
Don't let anyone tell you that these price increases couldn't be avoided! And, when you and your family are sitting around a candle, wrapped up in sweaters and overcoats, remember it is the 'greens' that pushed us to this and consider that, if they have their way, those man-made fibres that are barely keeping you warm, will have to go as well!
David Cameron must know about this con game, he must. Apparently his father-in-law is a major beneficiary of the wind-power subsidy. Why the pretend that he wants to do something about energy prices? Did someone mention hypocrisy?
The latest was French giant EDF which announced increase which average out at 10.8%. Naturally the media rigorously investigated the cause or need for such a large increase - oh wait! They didn't.
EDF stated that the reason that this increase was necessary was because wholesale gas prices had risen by 4%, oh, and the rest was caused by power users needing to subsidize renewable energy costs and the vulnerable.
I do not have a problem with EDF making a profit, reported to be £ 1.6 billion, last year. This, on a turnover of more than £52 billion doesn't seem excessive. Anyway, isn't Ofgem there to see that the utility companies are not gouging us?
I do though have a problem with having to subsidize the ugly and inefficient renewables power sector. And to be subsidizing them in such a great way but also in such a concealed way. Why are political parties not shouting, loudly and often, that the greater portion of our energy costs are being used to sustain an otherwise totally unsustainable industry? Where is the media outrage at this wholesale daylight and nighttime robbery?
I am afraid you won't see it because to do so would be to attack two of the greatest of modern day myths - The EU and the 'man-made Global warming' lie.
The EU is pushing for and legislating for carbon emission reductions - the UK is in the forefront of closing down coal fired power stations. So much in the front that Ofgem predict we will experience wide-spread power outages within a couple of years. Not because we can't afford the fuel or because it isn't available but simply because we are choosing to follow idiotic and half-baked (and certainly un-joined-up) Green policies.
The James Delingpole book, Watermelons, does a far better job than I could ever do at exposing the sham and shaming so called 'science' about 'man-made Global warming'. I strongly recommend this as a must-read. Delingpole painstakingly and convincingly confronts the myths being perpetrated and exposes them for the lies that they are.
Then there is the other purported reason for the higher than wholesale price increase - namely that the energy providers are now taking on the social responsibility of subsidizing the 'vulnerable in society'. Yes that's right! Energy prices now act as a re-distributive tax to take from some and give to others.
What's next? Mothercare or Tesco charging higher prices for disposable nappies and then subsidizing those poor teenage mums who made the wrong 'career choice'?
Surely if these 'vulnerable members of society' needed help in paying their bills then the state's welfare programmes should be used? Not some hidden 'poor tax' in our energy prices.
Oh, and think again about those wholesale gas price increases. Where in the world have they decreased rather than increased? The good old US of A. Why? Because the USA has embraced shale gas and is full-on exploiting it. In the UK and EU though, this is something that the 'greens' simply can't allow. A hair shirt is only effective if it hurts make it from angora and it just doesn't achieve the redistributive goal!
Don't let anyone tell you that these price increases couldn't be avoided! And, when you and your family are sitting around a candle, wrapped up in sweaters and overcoats, remember it is the 'greens' that pushed us to this and consider that, if they have their way, those man-made fibres that are barely keeping you warm, will have to go as well!
David Cameron must know about this con game, he must. Apparently his father-in-law is a major beneficiary of the wind-power subsidy. Why the pretend that he wants to do something about energy prices? Did someone mention hypocrisy?
New official estimates of shale gas reserves in the UK to be issued in the next month or two, expect a massive upwards revision. I mean colossal. And that's before there's been any thought of exploitation of shale oil in the UK...
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