A Dash for Gas
Only a very few years ago, the British government instigated its "dash
for gas". We needed new power stations, and the cheapest option was
to organise more gas-burning to supply our electricity.
Gas fired power stations only takes a couple of years to build,
and so that's what happened.
As a country we are now short of gas, and having to import.
The price is on the way up. Gas use continues to increase. A committee
of MPs (the Commons Environmental audit committee) has decided we
need more gas fired power stations (17 Apr 06).
An increasing amount of gas is coming from distant countries, and we are at the
end of a very long supply chain passing through most of Europe. Just
look at the map. Think of the implications.
Most people are not aware of where their energy comes from.
They press a switch and they're warm, or the light comes on. Why should
they think about gas,
or nuclear power, or coal, or energy policy, as long as they're
comfortable?
I have another question.
In a country which will soon be short of energy, is it
sensible to remain ignorant about it?
For example....
Many of our nuclear power stations are coming to the end of their
lives.
What is going to take their place?
If they are not replaced, either industrial users or the
domestic consumer - you -
will have a reduced energy supply. Regular power cuts, perhaps, as in some
parts of America. This will be inconvenient for us, and it will not help
the economy.
