Short-lived binding targets
Binding targets for renewable energy set in legislation almost came within the grasp of the renewables industry after a mix up over a parliamentary vote on the Utilities Bill. In the bill's committee stage, Norman Baker, Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, had tabled an amendment to the draft bill proposing that it contain the government's targets for 5% of UK electricity from renewables by 2003 and 10% by 2010. The aim was to tie the government to its own commitment. So far it has vigorously resisted binding targets. The amendment was carried when the Labour whip mistakenly voted it through. Baker's victory was short-lived though, since the government's majority on the committee reversed it in a later debate on the bill.
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