- By Content Coms
- In Useful Stuff
Electricity reforms under threat as top civil servant resigns
The government’s controversial electricity market reform (EMR) programme has been dealt a serious blow with the resignation of the top civil servant working on the scheme, which aims to promote investment in energy infrastructure, writes the Guardian.
The departure of Jonathan Brearley came as a leading energy analyst warned that it would be “imprudent” for ministers to rely on gas – including shale – to bail out the UK from a looming energy crunch.
Brearley, director of energy strategy and futures at the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), is leaving just as the EMR is moving through the legislative process via an energy bill.
The EMR has already been at the centre of rows over whether its provisions to bring forward a lower-carbon Britain will succeed or are too complex and whether it will cost too much.
