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Energy and Utilities Publications

14 June 2010

The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme

The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme Order 2010 has now been published and is in force.  The final publication of the Order follows several rounds of Government consultation, and now provides organisations with the certainty required to evaluate whether their particular organisation is covered by the Scheme, to what extent, and if so, what now needs to be done.

14 June 2010

Nuclear Law update - May 2010

Our latest update on developments in the arena of nuclear law, along with news of Burges Salmon's recent involvement in nuclear related projects and transactions.

11 June 2010

Renewables Obligation: a summary of Grandfathering Consultation

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) recently published a consultation regarding the grandfathering policy of support for dedicated biomass, anaerobic digestion and energy from waste under the Renewables Obligation.

11 June 2010

Biomass Sustainability - the EC's verdict

The Renewable Energy Directive published in June 2009 contained sustainability criteria for the use of biofuels for transport and bioliquids for heat and electricity generation and for cooling, but it did not address the use of solid and gaseous biomass sources. This issue has been considered separately by the European Commission which reported its findings in the Biomass Sustainability Report published in February 2010.

16 May 2010

The Energy Act 2010

The Energy Act 2010 just made it to Royal Assent and the Statute Book before the General Election was called. The Conservative – Liberal Democrat Coalition Agreement re-states the new UK government's commitment for public sector investment in Carbon Capture and Storage 'CCS' technology for four coal-fired power stations.

23 April 2010

In House Lawyer article - April 2010

A review of 4 key developments in regulation shake-up

13 April 2010

The Bribery Act 2010

Businesses should now review their anti-corruption procedures to ensure protection against a new corporate offence introduced by the Act.

04 February 2010

Feed-in Tariff Scheme

In July 2009, the Government published its Consultation on Renewable Electricity Financial Incentives, which sought responses on the proposed design and tariff levels for the Feed-In Tariff scheme. The consultation closed on 15 October 2009 and the Government published its formal response on 1 February 2010. This note summarises the basis of the Feed-in Tariff scheme and the significant changes introduced by the Government as a result of the consultation.

21 January 2010

The Copenhagen Accord - Where now for climate change?

Does the Copenhagen Accord represent a failure to agree a way forward for dealing with climate change? 

21 December 2009

In-House Lawyer article - revisions to waste permitting exemptions

A look at how DEFRA is attempting to clarify the waste permitting exemption regime. This article originally appeared in The In-House Lawyer.

01 December 2009

Environmental and Energy Law News - December 09

Our latest environmental and energy law newsletter covering a range of topics including Energy, Renewables, Nuclear, Carbon, Waste, Chemicals, Legislation, Water, Litigation and Air Quality.

30 November 2009

Proposals to revise RSA 1993 Exemption Orders

The government is planning to overhaul the current suite of Exemption Orders under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993, revoking all existing Exemption Orders and replacing them with one conditional Exemption Order. Click on the link to read more.

30 November 2009

The Groundwater (England and Wales) Regulations 2009

New regulations which came into force on 30th October 2009 will potentially have direct and significant impacts on discharges of radioactive substances to groundwater. Click on the link to read more.

17 November 2009

In House Lawyer - November 2009

Time for water abstraction is drying up.  The water supply infrastructure used today was designed to cope with the climatic conditions and population levels of the UK in the 1960s, and is not adequate for current or future use. The Environment Agency’s says its hands are tied under the current water abstraction licensing regime. It argues that it cannot ensure that its environmental objectives on water are met without reforming exemptions and enforcing time-limited licenses. This article looks at the current position under the Water Framework Directive and the Water Act 2003.

10 November 2009

Nuclear National Policy Statement

This article gives an overview of the Nuclear National Policy Statement (NPS) and associated documents were published on 9 November 2009. The nominated sites included in the NPS are Bradwell, Braystones, Hartlepool, Heysham, Hinkley Point, Kirksanton, Oldbury, Sellafield, Sizewell and Wylfa.

29 September 2009

In House Lawyer - September 2009

Julian Boswall looks at consenting major energy projects under the new Infrastructure Planning Commission.

13 August 2009

Environment and Energy Law news

The latest edition of our Environment and Energy Law newsletter. In this edition we look at: Energy and Power; Carbon, Climate Change and Sustainability; Waste and Contaminated Land; Chemicals, REACH and GHS; Environmental Legislation and Litigation and a review of case updates.

22 July 2009

Mind the gap - Health and Safety in Renewable Energy Projects

The UK is undertaking a new breed of energy project in what can be a hostile environment. The situation in respect of applicable health and safety laws is not and currently there is a regulatory "gap" for offshore renewables projects situated outside territorial waters.

09 July 2009

Offshore transmission issues: the new regime explained

The lack of a clear regulatory regime and the unattractiveness of front-loaded grid connection costs are deficiencies that the government has sought to address by designing a new off shore regulatory regime. The new regime, consulted on since 2005, is currently being introduced.

01 July 2009

The road to renewable

Julian Boswall explains the role the planning system plays in implementing renewable energy projects which will be essential in the UK’s drive to meet its electricity needs. This article first appeared in Solicitors Journal.

10 June 2009

The Carbon Reduction Commitment: How will it impact on your business?

The Carbon Reduction Commitment is a new mandatory UK emissions trading scheme that will start in April 2010.

10 June 2009

In House Lawyer - June 09

The briefing contains two articles. One which looks at litigation skills for environmental lawyers, and another which looks at the environmental perspective of insolvency.

30 March 2009

Nuclear Law March 2009

Our Nuclear Law team's newsletter. This edition covers Transfrontier Shipment Regulations, DECC consultations and Commission updates.

16 March 2009

IndustryLink - Newsletter of the NIA

This edition of IndustryLink contains a profile of Ian Salter - Head of Nuclear at Burges Salmon

16 March 2009

Legal Business special on the Nuclear Industry

Legal Business published this feature on the Nuclear industry in February, it looks at how the sector will develop over the next few years.

16 March 2009

In-House Lawyer article: The Renewables obligation

James Phillips, associate in our Environment Team, looks at new regulations and targets for energy production. Article written for the In House Lawyer magazine, March 2009 edition.

02 March 2009

Mothballing or decommissioning plant

This briefing looks at the law relating to mothballing or decommissioning manufacturing plant.

10 February 2009

Renewable Energy - Legal Expertise

We explain how bringing a renewable energy project to fruition requires specialists in property, planning, construction, corporate and banking work, as well as those with an excellent knowledge of grid connection, fuel supply and electricity off-take issues.

20 October 2008

In House Lawyer article October 2008

Latest developments in renewable energy

21 July 2008

Challenges to renewable energy consents

This briefings looks at a recent High Court decision that has important consequences for energy developers facing challenges to their development consents.

28 April 2008

Environmental Law April 2008

This edition covers the White Paper on Nuclear Power, EU Environment and Energy legislation, recently parliamentary bills and more.

09 March 2007

The Queen on the application of Greenpeace Limited v. Secretary of State for Trade and Industry

In this important judicial review case won by Greenpeace,Mr Justice Sullivan ruled that the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry had failed to give “the fullest public consultation” as promised before deciding to announce in the July 2006 Energy Review as a foregone conclusion that government policy had changed and now favoured nuclear new build. As a result the Court declared that policy statement unlawful.