Category: European energy policies

When should state aid be allowed?

The European Union, as almost anywhere, has to juggle many priorities at once.  Obviously the EU has benefited from the internal market and that has meant a level playing field.  Always vigilant, the European Commission has questioned the use of state aid for sustainable energy.  Ewa Krukowska writes for Bloomberg news service about the possibility … Continue reading When should state aid be allowed? →

Shale gas and the dilemma for European energy policy

Stephen Erlanger provides an excellent review in the New York Times of the effect shale gas is having on energy policy in Europe.  Interestingly, the CEO for the oil company Total provides an important comment on the situation.  “But the issue is not shale gas,” about which there is a great deal of fear and … Continue reading Shale gas and the dilemma for European energy policy →

Will energy labels work for vacuum cleaners

James Dyson, the inventor of the Dual Cyclone bagless vacuum cleaner technology and founder of the Dyson Company, provides his views on the proposed energy labels for vacuum cleaners in an article for EurActiv.   Energy labels for vacuum cleaners won’t do the job Like legislation on light bulbs, the EU’s bright environmental goals for vacuum … Continue reading Will energy labels work for vacuum cleaners →

CHP in Spain suffering by lack of adequate policy framework

The Gas to Power Journal has recently reported that the Spanish Cogeneration Association (Acogen) is quite concerned that cogeneration will suffer unless there are new energy efficiency measures in place to ensure that the full potential for cogeneration capacity is achieved.  It also states that the current Emissions Trading System is “harmful for CHP.”   … Continue reading CHP in Spain suffering by lack of adequate policy framework →

New study on progress to lower carbon emissions in passenger cars in Europe

John Reed, Motor Industry Correspondent of the Financial Times reports on a study by a leading environmental pressure group on the progress being made to lower CO2 emissions in passenger vehicles. Carmakers ‘on track with EU carbon goals’ Carmakers are close to complying with the 2015 carbon dioxide targets set by the European Union, and … Continue reading New study on progress to lower carbon emissions in passenger cars in Europe →

The on-going controversy over lower VAT rates in the UK to promote energy efficiency

Will Nichols of BusinessGreen writes about the problems the UK has been having to convince the European Commission of the importance of a lower VAT rate to improve energy efficiency in buildings.  It becomes all the more important as the UK rolls out the Green Deal.  One would think the Commission would be encouraging this … Continue reading The on-going controversy over lower VAT rates in the UK to promote energy efficiency →

Health effects from wind farms

Andrew Gilligan of The Telegraph writes about the first peer-reviewed scientific study on the health effects from the noise of wind farms. Wind farm noise does harm sleep and health, say scientists American and British researchers compared two groups of residents in the US state of Maine. One group lived within a mile of a … Continue reading Health effects from wind farms →

New report on green procurement

The European Commission’s DG Environment published a new brochure titled “Green Public Procurement: A collection of good practices”, illustrating how European local authorities successfully launched green tenders and providing guidance to those wishing to do the same. Green public procurement is highlighted as an important element in the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) guidebook, which … Continue reading New report on green procurement →