Come on JessM- this is for you !

I'm flattered. But trying to get on with some work, so I'll be brief.
We have been living in an age of fairly cheap fossil fuels produced in the UK. As traditional coal and gas run out around here, new energy sources have to be found that will provide heat and light over the next 30 years and beyond.
The only options are
Import fossil fuels from abroad (high carbon and possibly high cost too)
Invest in huge amounts of renewables (but getting a nice smooth supply of electricity from renewables easier said than done - works better as part of a mix)
Invest in nuclear (low carbon and reliable)
Fracking - which may or not prove a good idea

So energy prices will continue to climb whatever is decided. I think nuclear power stations plus renewables are the only sensible long term strategy

It would be interesting to hear what other members think. Nuclear power stations are extremely expensive (and the pay-back period extremely long) and if they are not to be financed via taxation then they will have to be financed via energy bills. Same goes for renewables - expensive to install and must be paid for somehow.
There is a NP station near here and the local economy will benefit a great deal if phase 2 is approved.
Wish that they did not make me think of Homer Simpson though, I can't quite get that image out of my head somehow.

It certainly provides a lot of our electricity here in France Jess, and our prices are lower than the UK, despite the fact that there is pretty much only one supplier. Le switch and save hadn't got here yet!
I thought this George Monbiot article was interesting in today's Guardian. What do you think of what he has to say?
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/21/farce-hinckley-nuclear-reactor-haunt-britain

Should have built several 20 years ago, instead of pandering to the open toed brigade. Blair or is it Bliar? Committed us to an unachievable reduction in emissions, and waltzed off, to make more money, we are left with numerous terrible legacies of his and he gets feted.
Renewables are a complete waste of money, can hardly achieve a minor amount of the energy required, and at an enormous cost. The big6 have been forced to play around trying to be green and we are reaping the whirlwind of their attempts.They have to show a profit to their investors, or no investors. Interfering governments have imposed an intolerable burden on them pursuing expensive almost useless projects, not investing in the only means of possibly producing a reasonable amount of electricity, for a couple of decades.
It appears that once again the government is on the wrong track with the type of reactor and the cost etc. We have left it far to late anyway, were it not for my grand children and great grand children, I would laugh, give up, and say that I will not be here when the water hits the burning fat.All my life it has been, "We will see that this never happens again" and repeatedly I have seen the same mistakes being made in all spheres.

never though i would agree with any of you remarks deserving but the point about labour postponing decision - yes.
Sine your remarks a month or so ago about the wind turbines blowing colder air on shore you can't expect your views on renewables to be taken very seriously.

I expect you will like this deserving - PM to target "green taxes" but before you start just lets register that a chunk of the "obligation" goes on helping vulnerable households to improve the energy efficiency of their homes despite the rumours that it is all about wind farms

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-24637499

We were walking along the beach earlier today, and the sheer power of the sea was incredible. At one time there was talk of harnessing this power in order to provide electricity, and I am sure there is a perfectly plausible explanation as to why this has not happened, but here we are an island surrounded by a mighty powerful force which we are unable to use.

There still is talk but the technology is not up to it yet.

I think that the fear created by Chernobyl has taken a long time to get over and I'm sure there are still after effects from it. Added to that we get the disaster in Japan [a country that you would think would be above reproach when it comes to safety issues]. And the rumours about Sellafield; local cases of leukaemia, disposal of nuclear waste, leakage into the sea etc etc. I'm not against nuclear power; in fact I've always said that it was the only way forward in a world where increasing numbers of the population are needing more and more power. But we have to have total trust in the people running the plants and disposing of the waste. And I'm not sure that I trust anyone with something so important.

Severn Barrage was rejected printmiss
Wave (rather than tidal) technology still in development.

Never say never, it's so final. I find it quite possible to agree with any proposition made by anyone and not be influenced by my opinion of their previous statements. If you agree even to some extent, you agree.
Our bills are going up based to some extent as a result of money being wasted on ineffectual projects to placate the green open toed brigade, and those who wish to keep selling us overpriced gas & electricity, which can be switched off at a whim. We are sitting on tons of coal, although our expertise in mining it is rapidly vanishing.We used to have town gas , that we lost, we were promised North sea gas , that was so cheap it would not be worth metering it. to hell with CO2 , we seem to be the only people reducing it, and at what cost? Whats that off setting all about? You either reduce or you don't. China opens another coal fired power station nearly every day, whilst we go down the drain.

deserving I really think it's unnecessary for you to use such sneering terms as "the green open toed brigade" to make your point.

They ought to build the Severn barrage!

I thought that was funny. ' the green open toed brigade' I always call ' them' The tree huggers

If you think it is unnecessary E, then I suppose we must all think the same?
As for sneering, how one can differentiate from laughing, joking, or just going with the flow I don't know.I don't claim to have coined the phrase, I just think it apt.I prefer it when someone disagrees with the point rather than the way it is made as often ,as has been stated ad nauseum, without recourse to inflections and facial or other body signs we have no way of really knowing what was intended, do we? I however often think I can make a good guess, when comparing the post and others of a similar ilk often made by the same person,and others of a similar persuasion,identifiable by similar outbursts.(Though how I know they are outbursts is questionable, hoist by my own petard I think)
I fear that people will be doing more than merely "sneering" when the lights go out, and special measures will have to be made for those ,at home, on dialysis,it will be to cold for sandals then, tree hugging I fear brings little warmth, cutting and chopping them down would be beneficial, for those capable of doing it, but would have detrimental effects on global warming I fear.We need the trees,but are losing them at a rate of,"An area the size of Wales"every year, probably more now.Sorry Wales, not sneering. (grin)

Eloethan is not alone in her thinking. The "green open toed brigade" are as likely to be right (or wrong) as those who sneer at them, the open toes are mostly replaced by warmer footwear as winter approaches, and it is not absolutely necessary to belong to any stereotyped group to believe in a different approach.

And sneering can be distinguished from laughter.

I agree with everything you have said Ele, As Eric said about music he was using the same notes but not necessarily in the same order.I agree with every letter you have typed, but not in the same order, Distinguish that.
What was that remark about ilk I made? We all have things that may be correct, at the time, but as circumstances change we need a new appraisal, difficult for stick in the muds, (Oh dear, not another stereotyped group,I've alienated I hope} Nuff said, what's the cry' "incoming"

You obviously just enjoy being unpleasant.

I find you incoherent in the extreme deserving with your stream of consciousness style of post.

I love the idea of the "green open toed brigade". As opposed to the blue ones with webbed feet?

I was feeling a bit worried about my green toes, but it's rather comforting to know I belong to a 'brigade'.

Oh come Anno, punctuation, please. Surely it is green, open-toed brigade. The people are green, their toes are open....
Disgusted, Tunbridge Wells. (I haven't forgotten).

Is this related to green thumbs?

or gangrene?