Wind Industry Lying Again
From The Guardian, 10 Oct 07
Energy firm's wind power claims misleading, watchdog rules
Alison Benjamin
An npower newsletter promoting wind power broke advertising rules because its carbon offset claim was inaccurate, the advertising industry watchdog ruled today.
The energy company's direct mail claimed that a wind farm development in north Devon would "help prevent the release of some 33,000 tonnes of CO2" annually from
fossil fuels.
But an anti-wind farm group complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) that the carbon dioxide figure was out of date because lower emitting gas, rather than coal, was the fuel currently being replaced by wind energy.
The ASA upheld the complaint by the Two Moors campaign. Its investigation found npower's advert broke rules relating to "truthfulness", "environmental claims" and "substantiation".
After consulting with the National Grid about CO2 emissions caused by the displacement of coal-fired generation by wind power, the ASA found that npower's calculations were based on figures that were "no longer representative of the UK electricity generating mix". As a result, it concluded that "the carbon offset claim was inaccurate and likely to mislead".
The watchdog told npower to ensure that future carbon saving claims were based on a "more representative and rigorous carbon emissions factor".
In its defence, npower said its calculations were recommended by the British Wind Energy Association and it used National Grid information to work out how wind power would offset CO2 by displacing coal and oil-fired electricity generation.
But the National Grid told the ASA that the assumption that coal, rather than gas, would be the fuel that wind power would displace was "inappropriate". The National Grid said it was more likely now that wind power would displace coal in the winter and gas in the summer.
Red Squirrel Survey
Scotland
12:00 - 26 September 2007
The people of the North-east are being asked to help save the region's red squirrels.
There are fears the species could be wiped out in Scotland within 50 years.
Now the Scottish Wildlife Trust has called on the public to help build a picture of the red squirrel population across the country to help halt its decline.
Stuart Brooks, head of conservation at the trust, said: "Red squirrels are struggling.
"While we may be able to slow their decline, their future is in jeopardy in Britain, particularly in light of the deadly virus which has now penetrated the reds in Scotland."
Scotland is home to 75% of the UK's red squirrel population, particularly in Aberdeenshire, the Spey valley, Highland, Argyll and north parts of Perthshire.
Once common, they have suffered dramatic losses as the more successful greys compete for woodland habitat and food sources.
Grey squirrels are spreading from the central lowlands, Angus and Aberdeen.
In May this year, the first case of squirrelpox was confirmed in Lockerbie, just north of the border, after making inroads through England.
Positive blood samples in grey squirrels - who are not susceptible to the virus - have been found in 53 cases in Dumfries and Galloway and 27 in the Scottish Borders.
Mel Tonkin, who is running the survey, said: "Red squirrels are an important part of Scotland's woodlands and while we know what is causing their decline, we need better information about where the squirrel hotspots are in order to protect them.
Members of the public can help by submitting sightings, including those of grey squirrels, to the survey.
Squirrel sightings can be reported on line at www.scottishsquirrelsurvey.co.uk .
Real Public Opinion on Wind "Farms"
The Real View of the Public on Wind Plants
FirstMistake ask - Why do we allow a bunch of Spaniards to ruin our Gàidhlig Heritage by spoiling our country side and Callanish?
Why don't we have one at Stone Henge?
Or would that spoil English Heritage's Revenue?
Written Question asked of the responsible minister in the Scottish Executive
Subject: RE: Objections - figures
LEWIS WIND FARM
Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green): To ask the Scottish Executive how many representations it received in respect of the Lewis Wind Power application for a wind farm on Lewis (a) during the formal consultation period and (b) in total and, of these, how many were (i) in support of and (ii) opposed to the application.
Allan Wilson: In addition to the Lewis Wind Power application, there were two addenda submitted by the developer. These attracted 10,234 representations in total, up to the last consultation date of 5 February 2007 An overall total of 11,456 representations have been received so far, including 1,222 representations received after the 5 February deadline.
From the total number of representations received, 59 were recorded in support and 11,397 against the development.
