UK government calls for comments on environmental legislation

UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry called on businesses, green groups and the public to pass judgement on environmental legislation that is “ineffective, burdensome or unnecessary”.

The government’s Red Tape Challenge will ask for opinions on the 300 or so pieces of legislation that fall under the auspices of the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) from now until December 30, 2011.

Officials from DECC have already identified some regulations that could be improved ranging from the important – such as relaxing energy efficiency obligations for smaller companies to encourage new entrants to the market – to the slightly less critical – like removing legislation covering pit ponies, which have not been in use for over a decade.

“Whether it is complex regulations deterring new entrants to the energy market, overbearing regulation on microgeneration or outdated regulation of pit ponies, we need to sharpen up,” says Hendry.

He says that what is needed is “smart, practical, efficient regulation” that protects the environment while supporting business. The government has widely criticised regulation that creates “unnecessary barriers to growth and job creation”.

Energy company npower says it has canvassed opinion from nearly 100 major energy users and found that top of the agenda is the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme (CRC), which over half of respondents want to be scrapped.

In line with government thinking, 43% also want to see the Renewables Obligation (RO) and feed-in-tariffs (FiTs) simplified.
Even the Climate Change Levy (CCL) and Climate Change Agreements (CCAs) need changing, according to 41% of respondents.

“Our consultation with major energy users shows very clearly that businesses want simplification on certain energy policy, not only to help them manage their own obligations, but to also help the UK meet its carbon reduction targets and help raise the investment needed for low carbon generation,” says Wayne Mitchell of npower.

The Red Tape Challenge is a cross-Whitehall initiative and has looked at all existing legislation, and whether there are alternative and better means of achieving ‘policy goals’, including the Clean Air Act and the Climate Change Act.

The Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs’ 287 environmental regulations were scrutinised earlier this autumn.

For further information:
www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk
www.decc.gov.uk
www.npower.com/redtape