We Only Back Losers Here!

In the UK, most people agree that the a) current cost of energy requires urgent action; b) dithering on energy provision has gone on for far too long and c) climate change commitments have to be honoured. The UK's energy 'strategy' appears to have ignored all three (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/06/major-misjudgement-how-the-tories-got-their-energy-strategy-so-wrong). By far, the quickest and cheapest way of dealing with our problems, is to set up a programme to effectively insulate UK homes. People on the breadline would also be 'insulated' from higher bills for their heating by adopting this programme. The programme would rapidly create jobs, as well as drastically reducing the energy demand. Rather obviously, it would also slash 'greenhouse gas' emissions. The cheapest ways of actually producing more electricity would be to boost land-based solar and wind turbine generation. These technologies work and their costs are rapidly declining, along with the costs of associated energy storage. So, what is the UK's energy 'strategy'? Its biggest 'bet' is nuclear power. The intention is to 'approve' eight new installations, by the end of this decade. Nuclear power stations routinely eventually come in well over budget and dramatically late. There is also the problem of the safe disposal of their waste. This is also a costly business. The strategy also advocates creating more wind turbine generation in marine locations. This is much slower and more expensive than placing these 'eyesores' on land. Maintenance is also more costly. The UK's energy 'strategy' also makes nods towards encouraging the extraction of North Sea oil and gas, re-activating fracking in the North of England and increasing use of 'biofuels'. None of these will help people currently struggling with energy bills and they all boost 'greenhouse gas' emissions. Perhaps the 'choices' reflect the UK PM's 'Bob the Builder' complex? He appears to like nothing better, than dressing up in hi-vis clothing and a hard hat. Sadly, most of his grandiose building schemes (e.g. the Garden Bridge over the Thames, the airport in the sea and the bridge from Scotland to Northern Ireland) have failed (for highly predictable reasons) to materialise. Go for cheapest, quickest and least polluting!