Energydesk
FOIs released by Energydesk in 2012 show that early concerns about water pollution from fracking in Balcombe got to the UK's Environment Agency.
The EA suggested the government hold back on a statement that fracking would not be allowed in areas where there were sensitive groundwaters present whilst it finessed its position (though it doesn't believe Balcombe to be such an area).The technical guidance from the EA appears to suggest this is the position it now holds.
UK
EON finds big gas field in the North Sea
E.On has announced that it has found the largest field in the North Sea for a decade. The field, which is likely to come to full production before shale gas exploration is even complete, warranted six paragraphs in the Wall Street Journal. It's a bit odd, energy news.
Npower surge in gas revenues
Npower owned by German firm RWE announced that it's UK gas revenues increased by 11% after it rose prices during the winter.
O2 owner to provide smart meter technology
Telefonica, the spanish owner of mobile operator O2, has won a £2.8bn contract to provide the technology behind the roll out of 52m smart meters in the UK.
MPs demand more money for constituents (for fracking)
Pork Barrel politics has arrived to the UK as Tory and Labour MPs unite to demand more money for any of their constituents who face fracking in their seats.
Underground coal gasification plans submitted
The BBC reports on two new plans for underground coal gasification. The technology, to essentially burn coal underground and collect and separate the gas, is very different to fracking. But probably unlikely to be much more popular in local areas.
World
China to invest in energy saving
Fresh from announcing that it is to invest more per capita of GDP in renewables than the UK, China is now proposing a 15% a year boost to it's energy saving sector.
RWE to shut 6% of EU capacity
Faced by lower power costs from renewable energy and brown coal the German energy giant (and owner of Npower above) has announced it is to shut 6% of it's European generating capacity. "Many of our power stations are now in the red," Chief Financial Officer Bernhard Guenther told journalists during a conference call on Wednesday. "This is the greatest crisis our industry has faced for many decades." Despite the high cost of gas, however, the FT reports that most of the planned closures will hit existing coal plants. The paper argues the troubles in the market make a capacity payment for gas more likely.
Solar power costs fall - as the US military picks it up
The Telegraph reports that the cost of solar panels has fallen by a quarter in the last year, and US soldiers are set to wear solar panels on their backs and sleep under solar blankets. Solar, the author says, 'may prove a bigger story than shale in the end'. Yes, but one without much conflict, so not such a popular story.
