Midterm election campaigns of Tea Party favourites DeMint and Inhofe have received over $240,000
Suzanne Goldenberg, US environment correspondent guardian.co.uk, Sunday 24 October 2010 22.57 BST
BP and several other big European companies are funding the midterm election campaigns of Tea Party favourites who deny the existence of global warming or oppose Barack Obama's energy agenda, the Guardian has learned.
An analysis of campaign finance by Climate Action Network Europe (Cane) found nearly 80% of campaign donations from a number of major European firms were directed towards senators who blocked action on climate change. These included incumbents who have been embraced by the Tea Party such as Jim DeMint, a Republican from South Carolina, and the notorious climate change denier James Inhofe, a Republican from Oklahoma.
The report, released tomorrow, used information on the Open Secrets.org database to track what it called a co-ordinated attempt by some of Europe's biggest polluters to influence the US midterms. It said: "The European companies are funding almost exclusively Senate candidates who have been outspoken in their opposition to comprehensive climate policy in the US and candidates who actively deny the scientific consensus that climate change is happening and is caused by people."
Obama and Democrats have accused corporate interests and anonymous donors of trying to hijack the midterms by funnelling money to the Chamber of Commerce and to conservative Tea Party groups. The Chamber of Commerce reportedly has raised $75m (£47m) for pro-business, mainly Republican candidates.
"Oil companies and the other special interests are spending millions on a campaign to gut clean-air standards and clean-energy standards, jeopardising the health and prosperity of this state," Obama told a rally in California on Friday night.
Much of the speculation has focused on Karl Rove, the mastermind of George Bush's victories, who has raised $15m for Republican candidates since September through a new organisation, American Crossroads. An NBC report warned that Rove was spearheading an effort to inject some $250m in television advertising for Republican candidates in the final days before the 2 November elections.
But Rove, appearing today on CBS television's Face the Nation, accused Democrats of deploying the same tactics in 2008. "The president of the US had no problem at all when the Democrats did this," he said. "It was not a threat to democracy when it helped him get elected."
The Cane report said the companies, including BP, BASF, Bayer and Solvay, which are some of Europe's biggest emitters, had collectively donated $240,200 to senators who blocked action on global warming – more even than the $217,000 the oil billionaires and Tea Party bankrollers, David and Charles Koch, have donated to Senate campaigns.
The biggest single donor was the German pharmaceutical company Bayer, which gave $108,100 to senators. BP made $25,000 in campaign donations, of which $18,000 went to senators who opposed action on climate change. Recipients of the European campaign donations included some of the biggest climate deniers in the Senate, such as Inhofe of Oklahoma, who has called global warming a hoax.
The foreign corporate interest in America's midterms is not restricted to Europe. A report by ThinkProgress, operated by the Centre for American Progress, tracked donations to the Chamber of Commerce from a number of Indian and Middle Eastern oil coal and electricity companies.
Foreign interest does not stop with the elections. The Guardian reported earlier this year that a Belgian-based chemical company, Solvay, was behind a front group that is suing to strip the Obama administration of its powers to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
High energy costs prompt householders to cut back on winter heating
UK consumers face a winter of discontent as they attempt to keep this year's energy bills down
Mark King guardian.co.uk, Monday 25 October 2010 11.22 BST
More than six out of 10 households are worried about the cost of their energy bills this winter and 20% of consumers are already struggling to pay their energy bills, according to a survey published today.
Research from uSwitch.com also revealed that almost three-quarters (73%) or 19m households have already cut back on their energy usage or intend to do so in an attempt to cut their bills.
Almost half (48%) of those polled have attempted to make their homes more energy efficient, with a further 24% saying they are more likely to do so because of the last year's particularly cold winter.
But 17% of households either went without heating last winter or did not have adequate heating for fear of energy bills going through the roof. uSwitch said people could feel forced to ration their heating again this year if this winter turns out to be as severe as last year's.
Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: "The high cost of energy coupled with last year's bitter winter has had a lasting impression on British householders.
"In some ways it has acted as a force for good, encouraging people to make their homes more energy efficient in time for this winter. But it isn't all positive news and the big concern is for those who have been left behind, who cannot afford to make their homes energy efficient, and who look set to face another winter of self-rationing to stop their fuel bills going through the roof."
Under the Cert (Carbon Emission Reduction Target) scheme,, energy suppliers have a pot of money allocated to boosting energy efficiency. According to the research, one-fifth of households have been contacted by their supplier offering help in making their homes energy efficient. Consumers can also ask their supplier for help under the Cert scheme – but less than one in 10 (9%) have done so and over half of consumers (51%) are unaware that they can ask their supplier for help with grants and special offers.
"Before cutting back on energy usage, I would urge consumers to speak to their energy supplier about the help they could get with energy efficiency and to then ensure that they are paying as little as possible for the energy they use by moving to a more competitive energy plan," Robinson said. "By taking these steps, hopefully households can keep a lid on their winter fuel bill without having to take drastic and potentially dangerous measures."
According to uSwitch, households can save around £239 a year by moving to an online plan. The current best online providers are E.ON (£894 for the year) and nPower (£952 for the year). The company advises consumers sign up for dual fuel (getting both gas and electricity from one supplier) as there are discounts available for doing so, and pay by direct debit as suppliers give direct debit customers a discount.
Moneysupermarket.com says the earlier you switch, the greater chance you have of saving money during winter. It says those switching now could expect to complete the switch by early to mid-December, saving up to £500 off their annual bill.
Other tips for bringing your winter fuel bill down include:
• Turn your thermostat down to reduce your room temperature by 1°C – this could save 10% on your annual heating bills.
• Almost 25% of heat is lost via poorly insulated roofs so invest in cheap but effective insulation.
• Heat only the rooms you use most often, especially if you live in a large house.
• Close your curtains in the evenings – they keep the heat in and are one of the simplest and easiest ways of cutting heating bills.
• Reduce draughts around doors (keyholes, letterboxes, gaps in doors and windows) because heat escaping your home is money wasted. Moneysupermarket.com says draught-excluder packs are available from most DIY stores for as little as £60.
• Remember the basics: don't leave electrical appliances on standby (a computer on "sleep" mode uses up to 75% of its energy); turn off lights and appliances when you go to bed; don't overfill your kettle; take showers rather than baths; wash clothes in your washing machine at a lower temperature; and change to energy-saving lightbulbs.
Mark King guardian.co.uk, Monday 25 October 2010 11.22 BST
More than six out of 10 households are worried about the cost of their energy bills this winter and 20% of consumers are already struggling to pay their energy bills, according to a survey published today.
Research from uSwitch.com also revealed that almost three-quarters (73%) or 19m households have already cut back on their energy usage or intend to do so in an attempt to cut their bills.
Almost half (48%) of those polled have attempted to make their homes more energy efficient, with a further 24% saying they are more likely to do so because of the last year's particularly cold winter.
But 17% of households either went without heating last winter or did not have adequate heating for fear of energy bills going through the roof. uSwitch said people could feel forced to ration their heating again this year if this winter turns out to be as severe as last year's.
Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: "The high cost of energy coupled with last year's bitter winter has had a lasting impression on British householders.
"In some ways it has acted as a force for good, encouraging people to make their homes more energy efficient in time for this winter. But it isn't all positive news and the big concern is for those who have been left behind, who cannot afford to make their homes energy efficient, and who look set to face another winter of self-rationing to stop their fuel bills going through the roof."
Under the Cert (Carbon Emission Reduction Target) scheme,, energy suppliers have a pot of money allocated to boosting energy efficiency. According to the research, one-fifth of households have been contacted by their supplier offering help in making their homes energy efficient. Consumers can also ask their supplier for help under the Cert scheme – but less than one in 10 (9%) have done so and over half of consumers (51%) are unaware that they can ask their supplier for help with grants and special offers.
"Before cutting back on energy usage, I would urge consumers to speak to their energy supplier about the help they could get with energy efficiency and to then ensure that they are paying as little as possible for the energy they use by moving to a more competitive energy plan," Robinson said. "By taking these steps, hopefully households can keep a lid on their winter fuel bill without having to take drastic and potentially dangerous measures."
According to uSwitch, households can save around £239 a year by moving to an online plan. The current best online providers are E.ON (£894 for the year) and nPower (£952 for the year). The company advises consumers sign up for dual fuel (getting both gas and electricity from one supplier) as there are discounts available for doing so, and pay by direct debit as suppliers give direct debit customers a discount.
Moneysupermarket.com says the earlier you switch, the greater chance you have of saving money during winter. It says those switching now could expect to complete the switch by early to mid-December, saving up to £500 off their annual bill.
Other tips for bringing your winter fuel bill down include:
• Turn your thermostat down to reduce your room temperature by 1°C – this could save 10% on your annual heating bills.
• Almost 25% of heat is lost via poorly insulated roofs so invest in cheap but effective insulation.
• Heat only the rooms you use most often, especially if you live in a large house.
• Close your curtains in the evenings – they keep the heat in and are one of the simplest and easiest ways of cutting heating bills.
• Reduce draughts around doors (keyholes, letterboxes, gaps in doors and windows) because heat escaping your home is money wasted. Moneysupermarket.com says draught-excluder packs are available from most DIY stores for as little as £60.
• Remember the basics: don't leave electrical appliances on standby (a computer on "sleep" mode uses up to 75% of its energy); turn off lights and appliances when you go to bed; don't overfill your kettle; take showers rather than baths; wash clothes in your washing machine at a lower temperature; and change to energy-saving lightbulbs.
South Africa unveils plans for 'world's biggest' solar power plant
Giant mirrors and solar panels in Northern Cape would reduce carbon emissions and generate one-tenth of the country's energy needs
David Smith in Johannesburg guardian.co.uk, Monday 25 October 2010 17.01 BST Article historySouth Africa is to unveil plans this week for what it claims will be the world's biggest solar power plant – a radical step in a coal-dependent country where one in six people still lacks electricity.
The project, expected to cost up to 200bn rand (£18.42bn), would aim by the end of its first decade to achieve an annual output of five gigawatts (GW) of electricity - currently one-tenth of South Africa's energy needs.
Giant mirrors and solar panels would be spread across the Northern Cape province, which the government says is among the sunniest 3% of regions in the world with minimal cloud or rain.
The government hopes the solar park will help reduce carbon emissions from Africa's biggest economy, which is still more than 90% dependent on coal-fired power stations. In April, the World Bank came in for sharp criticism from environmentalists for approving a $3.75bn (£2.37bn) loan to build one of the world's largest coal-fired power plants in the country.
Energy is already a high priority in South Africa where, at the end of racial apartheid, less than 40% of households had electricity. Over 16 years the governing African National Congress has undertaken a huge national expansion, with a recent survey showing that 83% are now connected, but power outages are still not uncommon in both townships and middle-class suburbs.
An estimated 200 foreign and domestic investors will meet this week in Upington, Northern Cape, with a view to funding the hugely ambitious solar project. A master plan will be set out by the US engineering and construction group Fluor. This follows a viability study by the Clinton Climate Initiative, which described South Africa's "solar resource" as among the best in the world.
Jonathan de Vries, the project manager, said today: "I'd hate to make a large claim but yes, this would be the biggest solar park in the world."
De Vries said the park, costing 150-200bn rand, would aim to be contributing to the national grid by the end of 2012. In the initial phase it would produce 1,000 megawatts, or 1GW, using a mix of the latest solar technologies.
An initial 9,000 hectares of state-owned land have been earmarked for the park, with further sites in the "solar corridor" being explored.
De Vries, a special adviser to the energy minister, said the Northern Cape had been chosen for insolation readings (a measure of solar energy) that rank among the highest in the world. "It hardly ever rains, it hardly has clouds. It's even better than the Sahara desert because it doesn't have sandstorms."
The Orange River would provide water for the facilities, he added, while existing power transmission lines would be closer than for similar projects such as in Australia.
Northern Cape, which contains the historic diamond-rush town, Kimberley, is South Africa's biggest province and one of its poorest. But it is hoped that the park would create a "solar hub" and regenerate the local economy with fresh opportunities in manufacturing.
South Africa currently consumes 45-48GW of power per year. It is estimated this will double over the next 25 years. "In South Africa over 90% of our power comes from the burning of coal and we need to reduce this because of our international obligations on climate change," de Vries said.
"If this proves to be cost competitive with coal and nuclear, the government will roll out more solar parks. This is a very bold attempt."
He added: "Solar power isn't a panacea that will cure all but it's a part of the solution, and a very important part. There are zones in the world that are ideally suited to it, often those with low population density."
David Smith in Johannesburg guardian.co.uk, Monday 25 October 2010 17.01 BST Article historySouth Africa is to unveil plans this week for what it claims will be the world's biggest solar power plant – a radical step in a coal-dependent country where one in six people still lacks electricity.
The project, expected to cost up to 200bn rand (£18.42bn), would aim by the end of its first decade to achieve an annual output of five gigawatts (GW) of electricity - currently one-tenth of South Africa's energy needs.
Giant mirrors and solar panels would be spread across the Northern Cape province, which the government says is among the sunniest 3% of regions in the world with minimal cloud or rain.
The government hopes the solar park will help reduce carbon emissions from Africa's biggest economy, which is still more than 90% dependent on coal-fired power stations. In April, the World Bank came in for sharp criticism from environmentalists for approving a $3.75bn (£2.37bn) loan to build one of the world's largest coal-fired power plants in the country.
Energy is already a high priority in South Africa where, at the end of racial apartheid, less than 40% of households had electricity. Over 16 years the governing African National Congress has undertaken a huge national expansion, with a recent survey showing that 83% are now connected, but power outages are still not uncommon in both townships and middle-class suburbs.
An estimated 200 foreign and domestic investors will meet this week in Upington, Northern Cape, with a view to funding the hugely ambitious solar project. A master plan will be set out by the US engineering and construction group Fluor. This follows a viability study by the Clinton Climate Initiative, which described South Africa's "solar resource" as among the best in the world.
Jonathan de Vries, the project manager, said today: "I'd hate to make a large claim but yes, this would be the biggest solar park in the world."
De Vries said the park, costing 150-200bn rand, would aim to be contributing to the national grid by the end of 2012. In the initial phase it would produce 1,000 megawatts, or 1GW, using a mix of the latest solar technologies.
An initial 9,000 hectares of state-owned land have been earmarked for the park, with further sites in the "solar corridor" being explored.
De Vries, a special adviser to the energy minister, said the Northern Cape had been chosen for insolation readings (a measure of solar energy) that rank among the highest in the world. "It hardly ever rains, it hardly has clouds. It's even better than the Sahara desert because it doesn't have sandstorms."
The Orange River would provide water for the facilities, he added, while existing power transmission lines would be closer than for similar projects such as in Australia.
Northern Cape, which contains the historic diamond-rush town, Kimberley, is South Africa's biggest province and one of its poorest. But it is hoped that the park would create a "solar hub" and regenerate the local economy with fresh opportunities in manufacturing.
South Africa currently consumes 45-48GW of power per year. It is estimated this will double over the next 25 years. "In South Africa over 90% of our power comes from the burning of coal and we need to reduce this because of our international obligations on climate change," de Vries said.
"If this proves to be cost competitive with coal and nuclear, the government will roll out more solar parks. This is a very bold attempt."
He added: "Solar power isn't a panacea that will cure all but it's a part of the solution, and a very important part. There are zones in the world that are ideally suited to it, often those with low population density."
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