The coalition is watering down a commitment to tough new environmental emissions standards, raising the possibility of dirty coal-fired power stations such as Kingsnorth going ahead.

Green groups are aghast that a flagship policy called for in opposition by both Lib Dems and Tories, and which they last year tried to force on the Labour government, will now not be implemented in the coalition’s first energy bill to be published this year.

Their criticism of the government’s commitment to green issues follows news last week that nature reserves could be sold off as countryside protection measures also bear the brunt of budget cuts in the Department for Environment.

Introducing a so-called “environmental performance standard” (EPS) for power companies would have restricted greenhouse gas emissions from coal and gas plants and encouraged companies wishing to build to use more efficient technology.

…more at The Guardian

Reader comments

1. Ryan Bestford

   RT @libcon: Coalition abandons green pretence by OK'ing Kingsnorth coal stations http://bit.ly/b2Cbkp

2. Palmer 1984

   RT @libcon: Coalition abandons green pretence by OK'ing Kingsnorth coal stations http://bit.ly/b2Cbkp

3. Jim Jepps

   RT @libcon: Coalition abandons green pretence by OK'ing Kingsnorth coal stations http://bit.ly/b2Cbkp

4. Will Straw

   RT @libcon: Coalition abandons green pretence by OK'ing Kingsnorth coal stations http://bit.ly/b2Cbkp

5. Mark Ruskell

   RT @libcon: Coalition abandons green pretence by OK'ing Kingsnorth coal stations http://bit.ly/b2Cbkp

6. AdamRamsay

   RT @libcon: Coalition abandons green pretence by OK'ing Kingsnorth coal stations http://bit.ly/b2Cbkp

7. Simon Lewis

   Coalition abandons green pretence by OK’ing Kingsnorth coal stations | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/sJV84ko via @libcon

8. Luke Walter

   'Greenest Government ever' to OK Kingsnorth coal station: http://bit.ly/b2Cbkp < this is why we need more Greens in Parliament ASAP

9. Simon Giles

   RT @libcon: Coalition abandons green pretence OKing Kingsnorth coal stations http://bit.ly/b2Cbkp <<Vote Blue Get Blue. Vote Yellow Get Blue

10. Tom Harris

    RT @wdjstraw: RT @libcon: Coalition abandons green pretence. http://bit.ly/b2Cbkp << Why the surprise? It's the Tories we're talking about!

11. Andrew Griffiths

    RT @libcon: Coalition abandons green pretence by OK'ing Kingsnorth coal stations http://bit.ly/b2Cbkp

12. RupertRead

    RT @libcon: Coalition abandons green pretence by OK'ing Kingsnorth coal stations http://bit.ly/b2Cbkp

13. xanna

    RT @libcon: Coalition abandons green pretence by OK'ing Kingsnorth coal stations http://bit.ly/b2Cbkp

14. christine clifford

    RT @libcon: Coalition abandons green pretence by OK'ing Kingsnorth coal stations http://bit.ly/b2Cbkp

15. “Coalition abandons green pretence by OK’ing Kingsnorth coal stations” and related posts | Today Hot News

    [...] full post upon World – Google Blog Search [...]