15th January 2007

Western Mail   UK  
Blame Blairs for X Factor generation of greed, says shadow Welsh Secretary     ( article - web link)
Lib Dems launch policy ideas for May Poll     ( article - web link)
Those of you who watched yesterday's BBC Wales TV 'Politics Show' would have heard Mike German AM (Leader of the Lib Dem Party in Wales) state that one of the prime Welsh Lib Dem policies was for a "Green"Wales to Become the leader in the renewable energy field.
We all know how technically knowledgeable Mike German is from his theory that wind turbines 'store electricity' when they aren't operating, so if you don't want to see Wales become covered with commercial wind turbines, it is now time for you to use "people power" by becoming far more actively involved in the politics of this country... personally and collectively in groups by means of persistent and active lobbying of your politicians in the run-up to the May elections.

tomorrow, Plaid Cymru intend to release their May election manifesto and from a meeting with Adam Price MP on 15th December, 2006 in Ammanford, it became clear that their energy policy has a great amount to be desired.

Whether you are a 'political animal', or not, you now have an excellent opportunity to get your voice heard about energy issues in Wales by your politicians and your votes will carry weight in the May election.
Please make the most use of this excellent opportunity
Otherwise, you might as well pack up your bags right now and be prepared for the countryside and coastline of Wales to become spawning grounds for the wind power industry, because you won't have another chance like this for years.
NOTE WELL:   Lib Dems unveil bold climate change targets     ( article - web link)
Wales must stay in the UK - Hain     ( article - web link)
Oh Oh!There appears to be a split in opinion already between the Westminster Labour orange man and the Cardiff Bay Labour chief Muppet
UK split unlikely says Rhodri     ( article - web link)

Newcastle Journal   UK  
Coast turbines are all at sea     (2 page article - web link)

The Sunday Post   Scotland, UK  
Fears wind farm will disrupt flights     (article - web link)   14/01/07

The Herald   Scotland, UK  
Wind farms are expensive and will not stop massive blackouts     (letter - web link)

BBC News   UK  
Wind farm Decision deferred     (article - web link)

Tyneside Today   UK  
Winds of change for safer subway     (article - web link)

South Wales Evening Post   UK  
Wind farm firm vows to provide hundreds of thousands in cash     (article - web link)

Glyncorrwg Action Group     ( - Web Site)

BBC News   UK  
Asian states sign key energy deal     (article - web link)

Western Mail   UK  
Thousands could be at risk in UK if Iceland volcano erupts     ( article - web link)
Labour accused over Union scare tactics     ( article - web link)
'Welsh beaches are being ruined by dredging'     ( article - web link)
Carwyn stands aloof on budget     ( article - web link)
Guide to Single Farm Payment     ( article - web link)
Helping farmers tame a mouse     ( article - web link)

The Independent   UK  
Tesco follows M&S with climate change move     ( article - web link)
Global warming to blame as anglers delay salmon season     ( article - web link)

The Guardian   UK  
UN sdviser backs Blair's view on climate change and air travel     ( article - web link)
End of the road for the US gas guzzler     ( article - web link)   15/01/07

The Press and Journal   Scotland, UK  
Free light bulbs offer     ( article - web link)

TheyWorkFor You.com  UK  
Written answers   Monday 15 January 2007
Trade and Industry: Coal-fired Power Stations     ( Parliamentary Debate - web link)

Welsh Affairs Committee  UK  
Welsh Affairs Committee Energy in Wales: Follow up     ( Press Release - web link)
Many thanks to J.M. for the above information

Farmers Weekly   UK
'Wind farm noise is driving us out of our house'   (downloadable .PDF document - size 280 KB)
Copyright © Farmers Weekly 12/01/07

The Sky News  UK  
BP Slammed over Safety     ( article - web link)

South Wales Evening Post  UK  
Welsh Lib Dems in call for 'Green Switch'     ( article + reader 's copmment - web link)

Earthtimes.org  USA  
offshore wind farm may be failing     ( article - web link)

Highbridge Weekly News  Somerset, UK  
Wind debate blows back and forth     ( article - web link)

Western Mail   UK  
While you may feel greener gas emissions in Wales keep on rising     ( article - web link)
Capping global emissions to save the Arctic ice caps     ( article - web link)
Dredging erosion
Cheap sand option     (2 letters - web link)
Scroll down the WM letters page to the 5th & 6th letters
Plaid offers election 'Vision for Wales'     ( article - web link)   16/01/07

Plaid Cymru   Wales, UK  
Plaid Cymru's ''Vision for Wales'     ( - Party Political Web Site)
Plaid Cymru's radical ''Change for the Better     (downloadable12 page .PDF documemt 627KB)
Plaid Cymru's 'Energy Policy' appears to be sadly lacking as it appears to be nothing more than the section entitled "Clean and Green" in the above .PDF document, which on the face of it wouldn't seem to bode well for any form of support from Plaid Cymru to anti-wind power campaigners in Wales
Also see...   Plaid Cymru's 'Sustainable Wales'     ( - Web link)

North Devon Gazette   UK  
New wind farm Plan     ( article - web link)

The Scotsman   UK  
Man who wants to turn every Scots child into an environment evangelist     ( article + readers' comments - web link)
Many thanks to V.C. for the above web link.
Talks on oilfield's final days     ( article - web link)

The Press and Journal   Scotland, UK  
Nort-East homes 'pay too much for energy'     ( article - web link)
Armed guards go on patrol at two gas plants     ( article - web link)

Western Morning News   Devon, UK  
Record basking sharks seen in seas     ( article - web link)
Clear proof of wind power's inefficiency     ( letter - web link)

South Wales Evening Post   Wales, UK  
Single homes growth hitting Climate Change     ( article + readers' comments - web link)
Who are FOE Cymru going to pick on next, with their 'green' obsession?

Protest is not hijacked     ( letter - web link)
Pipeline Protest     ( letter - web link)

Novosti   Russia  
Russian academic says CO2 not to blame for global warming     ( article - web link)   15/01/07
Many thanks to A.D. for the above web link.

Oldham Evening Chronicle   England, UK  
Wind power is overblown idea, says Euro-MP     ( article - web link)   16/01/07

The Guardian   UK  
Doomsday clock ticks closer to Armageddon     ( article - web link)

Power Online   Horsham,FL, USA  
Survey shows strong support for offshore wind power     (Press Release - web link)

The Herald   Scotland, UK  
The end of the world     ( article - web link)

The Independent   UK  
Hawkins warns: We must recognise the catastrophic dangers of climate change     ( article - web link)
Save energy by washing clothes at lower temperature, says Asda     ( article - web link)
Carbon offsetting 'can be harmful'     ( article - web link)

BBC News   UK  
Defra ups carbon offset standards     ( article - web link)
Climate resets 'Doomsday Clock'     ( article - web link)

Western Mail   Wales, UK  
For the best in Welsh wildlife, clean air and water, this is the best place to live...     ( article - web link)

Remember last week? Brace yourself for another lashing     ( article - web link)
The forecast     ( article - web link)

The Daily Telegraph   UK  
Britain is braced for 80mph storm     (article - web link)
Put that light out     (3 letters - web link)

TheyWorkForYou.com   UK  
Written answers Monday, 15 January 2007
Northern Ireland: Wind Farms Northern Ireland: Wind Farms     (Parliamentary Debate - web link)
Many thanks to J.M. for the above web link

Wirral Globe   UK  
Demand for extra cash for turbines     ( article - web link)   17/01/07

The Scotsman   UK  
Climate change is a global problem which demands a global response     ( letter + readers' comments - web link)  
Heroes ride helicopter wings in rescue bid     ( article + readers' comments + web links) SOCME is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
In these dark days of" pea -brained, chin-less politicians and the ever increasing 'Green-peas' brigade lobby, it makes one feel proud to be part of the British nation when reading of TRUE British heroism

Daily Record   UK  
Windfarm flights fear     (article - web link)  

BBC News   UK  
Wind farm approved after inquiry     (article - web link)  

Rugby Advertiser   England, UK  
People want wind turbines on mast site     (article - web link)  

Berwick Today   England, UK  
Decision on Mooryside wind farm in February     (article - web link)  

Doncaster Today   England, UK  
Inquiry hears of wind farm threat to airport     (article - web link)  

Carmarthen Journal   Wales, UK
Alternatives to wind power   (letter - .JPG file format 147 KB)
Copyright © Carmarthen Journal 17/01/07
Not clearly mapped out   (letter - .JPG file format 117 KB)
Copyright © Carmarthen Journal 17/01/07
Cut wind farms, not POs   (letter - .JPG file format 38.4 KB)
Copyright © Carmarthen Journal 17/01/07

TheyWorkFor You.com  UK  
Written answers   Wednesday 17 January 2007
House of Commons Debates: Climate Change     ( Parliamentary Debate - web link)

South Wales Alternative To Turbines   South Wales, UK  
SWATT     ( - Web Site)
Many thanks to R. S. for the above information

BBC News   UK  
Seven dead as UK struck by storms     (article - web link)  
Thousands without power in storms     (article - web link)  

Western Mail   UK  
'We need people to take heed of the risks and take responsibility'     ( article - web link)
Storms bring death and destruction around UK     ( article - web link)
Calmer weather on the way as floods threaten     ( article - web link)
WAG blasted on air travel     ( article - web link)

BBC News   UK  
Powering on with island wind plan     ( article - web link)

The Scotsman   UK  
New offsetting regulations introduced but confusion still reigns     ( article + readers' comments & web links)
Energy dector targets 'world-class' status with £4.5m grant     ( article + readers' comments - web link)

The Independent   UK  
Charles celebrates green award - by flying to US with a 20 - strong entourage     ( article - web link)

REUTERS   UK  
Wind farms shut down as storm bashes Britain     ( Press Release - web link)   18/01/07

Western Morning News   Devon, UK  
Windfarm appeal fails     (article - web link)   18/01/07

Hexham Courant   UK  
New report objects to large- scale windfarm     ( Press Release - web link)  

Carmarthenshire County Council   Wales, UK  
17/01/2007 Brechfa Forest Area Wind Farm Development: Arup     ( - web link)   17/01/07

Denbighshire Free Press   N. Wales, UK  
Wind-farm protesters join forces     ( - web link)  

BBC News   England, UK  
Glyndebourne plans wind turbine     (article - web link)   05/01/07
Many thanks to A.K. for the above information

South Wales Evening Post   UK  
Defectors hit power balance in City Council     (article - web link)
Storms leave trail of havoc     (article - web link)

Selkirk Today   UK  
Wind farm could whip up cash for Selkirk coffers     (article - web link)  

Royal Society Edinburgh   UK  
Inquiry into Energy Issues for ScotlandEnergy Summary Report     (24 page .PDF document 153 KB - web link)   June, 2006

Many thanks to D.V. for the above information and the comment of.....
"Although they are not against wind, they recognise the limitations of this form of power. Below are some selected quotes from the summary report.
"Recommendation 20: We recommend that the UK Government, supported by the Scottish Executive, replace ROCs as soon as possible with a carbon emission reducing measure, such as a carbon levy applied at the point of carbon production. This should build on the existing EU Emissions Trading Scheme. Existing commitments should be honoured. "We regard onshore wind as a mature technology both in Scotland and in other European countries, so we see no justification for the continuation of the ROC’s support for this technology, if our proposals for a carbon levy are accepted." "On the basis of the recently approved Whitelee development in Renfrewshire, we estimate that to achieve a 20% contribution to Scotland’s electricity generation would require 1,500 turbines covering a land area of around 600 square kilometres, and a subsidy of about £35m/year." "There are highly polarised arguments about solutions for meeting future demand for electricity. Some argue that this should be predominantly from renewable energy sources, and others that the supply should be from investment in new civil nuclear generating plants. We consider the confrontational scenario of ‘nuclear versus renewables’ to be a false debate. Different sources of electricity generation are not interchangeable. The demand for electricity varies throughout the day, the week and the season. Nuclear power does not have the flexibility to follow load demand and is therefore only suitable for base load provision. The inherent intermittency of wind power means that it cannot be relied on to deliver firm output at any given time. However, its input when available has to be accepted into the grid. A diversity of supply is essential to achieve maximum security and flexibility in the supply of electricity." "If informed decisions are to be taken, then there is merit in raising the level of public debate on future options for the supply of electricity. Provision of factual and objective information and stimulation of meaningful consultation that will influence decisions is sorely needed."

The Evening Tribune   Hornell, NY, USA  
SteubenGreens lead charge against local wind farms: Host session in Hornell for critics of proposed area projects     (article - web link)  
Many thanks to A.B. for the above web link

Western Mail   UK  
El Nino effect and jet stream hit Wales     ( article - web link)
Wales in council tax revolt     ( article - web link)
E-petition says 'Scrap Home Info Packs'     ( article - web link)

The Times   UK  
Milliband attacks Prince for flying to collect green award in New York     ( article - web link)
Thousands still without power in aftermath of the killer gale     ( article - web link)

The Herald   Scotland, UK  
How will Scotland's wildlife cope?     ( article - web link)
Plans for £1bn wind farm edge closer     ( article - web link)

The Scotsman   UK  
Shetland islanders set for £25m wind farm windfall     ( article + readers comments - web link)

South Wales Evening post   UK  
Walkers to stride out in woods     ( article - web link)

The Independent   UK  
Largest onshore wind farm given the green light     ( article - web link)

The Sunday Herald   Glasgow, Scotland, UK  
wind farm sector blasts SNP plans     ( article - web link)
China to tackle pollution and curb use of energy     ( article - web link)

Scotland on Sunday  UK  
Six steps to a smaller carbon footprint     ( article + readers' comments + web links)

The Independent on Sunday  UK  
The Prophet of Doomsday: Stephen Hawking, eco-warrior     ( article web link)
The Sunday Telegraph  UK  
Frontline troops are refused kit to fight Taliban     (article web link)
Christopher Booker's Notebook     (3 articles web link)
Beached ship loses cargo     ( article web link)

The Sunday Times  UK  
G8 summit 'carbon offset' was hot air     (2 page article web link)
Pest control - Sandringham style     (article web link)
US toxic gases push British pollution over safety limit     (article web link)
Green, the new whitewash     (2 page article web link)
Many thanks to V. C. for the last two web links.

Wales on Sunday  UK  
Plaid MP in heart scare     (article web link)

Guardian Unlimited  UK  
Global warming: the final verdict     (article web link)

BBC News  UK  
Pollution fear from leaking ship     (article web link)
The stricken vessel     (video clip web link)