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RWE npower retains the CommunityMark

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RWE npower has recently retained the prestigious CommunityMark from Business in the Community (BITC) for a further three years.

RWE npower first received the CommunityMark in 2008 and was the first utility business to do so. The award is endorsed by both the Government and the voluntary sector. It is a national standard and the only one of its kind in the UK, which aims to recognise and highlight the positive impact that business can have in the community, through long term commitment and investment.

The rigorous testing process meant that Business in the Community interviewed employees for their opinions about RWE npower’s community programme and their involvement. Community partners including National Energy Action, Macmillan Cancer Support, Community Service Volunteers, Football League Trust and the National Trust were also surveyed.

For over 50 years RWE npower has worked with local communities. During this time, the company has built sustainable relationships which have been recognised through the CommunityMark award. These include:
-£52m was accessed by its Health through Warmth scheme for vulnerable people since 2000.
– In 2010 14% of RWE npower employees took part in volunteering.
– 9,000 students experienced one of the company’s power station guided tours.
– RWE npower worked with over 26,000 youngsters to raise awareness of climate changeand 22 schools received No Power Hour sessions.
– Macmillan Cancer Support has been RWE npower’s charity partner since 2004. The partnership is valued in excess of £4 million.

Dame Julia Cleverdon, Chair of RWE npower Corporate Responsibility Committee added:
“This is fantastic recognition for everyone at RWE npower. I have visited several sites recently and heard from employees about the inspirational work they are doing in local communities. There’s a great spirit of wanting to get ‘stuck in’ and make a positive impact. Achieving the CommunityMark is a great accolade for RWE npower.”

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive of Business in the Community said: “During a considerably tough year these organisations have proved that continuing to listen, engage and respond to the needs of their communities reinforces the fact that excellence in community investment not only has a positive and valuable impact on society, but translates to real business benefits.

“Many have made a long term commitment to the areas they operate in. They work collaboratively and fostered strong reciprocal partnerships to help improve the knowledge and skills in their local communities to ensure that there are people to support the local economy and business.”

The Independent Approvals Panel was impressed by RWE npower’s continued leadership of the community investment agenda and their commitment to making a long-term sustainable difference to their business and communities.

Via EPR Network
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Energy, Oil & Gas, Politics

The Co-operative Calls For Moratorium On Shale Gas Extraction In The UK

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The Government should impose an immediate moratorium on the extraction of natural gas from the UK’s shale formations until all the ecological implications are fully understood.

That is the conclusion of a carefully considered report commissioned by The Co-operative to coincide with the UK premiere of the award winning film, Gasland, which shows the astonishing implications of shale gas extraction in the United States.

The report, written by the internationally respected Tyndall Centre, part of The University of Manchester, highlights evidence from the US, where some residents of Pennsylvania can now set fire to their drinking water, which suggests shale gas extraction brings a significant risk of groundwater contamination.

Moreover, the exploitation of gas shales is bringing new greenhouse gas sources into play and even a mid-range extraction scenario could see carbon dioxide levels rise globally by some 5 parts per million by 2050. This will further reduce any slim possibility of maintaining global temperature changes at or below 2˚C and thereby increase the risk of entering a period of ‘dangerous climate change’.

The report concludes that until a sufficient evidence base is developed, a precautionary approach to development in the UK is the only responsible action to take to minimise the potential impact on global climate change.

With conventional natural gas reserves declining globally, shale gas has emerged as a potentially significant new source of “unconventional gas”. In the United States, production of shale gas expanded fivefold between 1990 and 2008 and it is predicted that production will expand further to meet a significant proportion of US gas demand in the next 20 years.

The rapid growth of shale gas production in the US has raised interest in the UK, with a number of businesses beginning activities, particularly on the Fylde coast of North West England.

Via EPR Network
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Clean Energy, Electricity, Electricity Generation, Energy, Green Energy, Renewable Energy, Turbine, Wind Power

Wind Turbine Manufacturer Gaia-Wind Welcome The News Of Scottishpower Renewables Wind Farm Expansion

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Following news that Scotland are half way to achieving their 2020 climate target, with a 20% drop in carbon emissions since 1990, the announcement of a major expansion to the Whitelee wind farm south of Glasgow provides a reaffirmation of the importance of onshore wind power to Scotland’ s development.

In 2008, Whitelee wind farm on Eaglesham Moor began producing electricity. Currently, the 140 turbines in situ are capable of providing enough energy to power 180,000 homes. With the planned expansion, the power generation of the site will increase from 322MW to a staggering 539MW – enough to power 300,000 homes.

World leading small and domestic turbine manufacturers Gaia-Wind view this development as a highly positive step toward the consolidation and continued progress of the Scottish contribution to a global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. A Gaia-Wind spokesperson, commenting on Scotland’s latest commitment to renewable energy said that:

“Any onshore wind developments are good news, and with the recent milestone reached in the Scottish climate change agenda, the extension at Whitelee is a further indication of the dedication of the Scottish authorities to producing renewable energy through wind power for a greater proportion of the population.”

Whilst Whitelee exists in its present state as the largest onshore wind farm in Europe, the proposed expansion will elevate the site to one of the largest in the world. Commenting on the monumental nature of the project, UK Director of ScottishPower Renewables, Simon Christian, explained that:

“By itself at 217MW (the expected increase in power generation), the extension would be one of the largest onshore wind farms in the UK, so we are starting another major construction project in Scotland.”

This major project is the latest instance of Scotland’s rigorous and innovatory approach to renewable energy production.

With almost 25% of Scotland’s electricity demand supplied by renewables throughout 2008, it is evident that the Scottish renewable energy sector is playing a leading role in the campaign to reduce emissions. A significant degree of investment from government, businesses, the industry and individual investors has enabled the delivery of vastly reduced carbon emission levels.

Continued investment is a highly significant factor in the field of renewable energy. A spokesperson from Gaia-Wind has in fact commented on the need for “governmental stability in policy making for the continued investment in wind power, and the renewables sector in general.”

Via EPR Network
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