John Battle new energy minister
After Labour's victory in the UK elections, the new government minister with responsibility for renewable energy is John Battle, former shadow energy spokesman. Under the new regime, Battle, now Minister of State in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), has to juggle his energy brief alongside responsibilities for manufacturing and services, science and technology, telecommunications and environment issues -- a far cry from the days when energy merited its own government department. Renewables do not even get a mention, but are buried in the energy portfolio. Battle reports to Margaret Beckett, the new President of the Board of Trade. Unless he decides on a new plan of action, the current assumption within the DTI is that the Non Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) programme of renewables support will go ahead as planned. This would involve a review of NFFO followed by at least one further round of support (NFFO-5)
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