OPEN LETTER TO ED MILIBAND ON OUR RESPONSE TO TRUMPS FOOLISH WAR

Dear Ed Miliband

The attack of Netanyahu and Trump on Iran with the resultant partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed up the cost of oil and gas which will increase energy costs in the UK economy, and this may well reach  levels that may take us into recession.

This letter calls for a vigorous investment by HMG in energy demand management measures that will have beneficial effects on the UK economy both in the short-term and the long-term.

First, we need a national road speed limit to be imposed  as soon as practically achievable. Driving at 50mph instead of 70mph is calculated to reduce fuel demand by 17%, will create a significant saving, and at the same time will reduce severity of accidents, so saving NHS expenditure. Driving at these speeds is also more pleasant and relaxing. The inevitable objections  from the motorist and oil lobbies and the right wing can be given a brisk response, as in “There is a war on, you know”. This measure will be a potent signal that HMG intends to threat this crisis seriously.

Second, there needs to be an immediate expansion of the programme for thermal insulation of all properties, both residential and commercial. Companies already engaged in this work should be consulted about ways in which they could operate more quickly and efficiently. Job creation in this sector could be very helpful for young people, who are very badly affected by unemployment, and all bureaucratic impediments to getting young people to move from benefits to employment, especially in energy conservation work, should be amended with due diligence.

Third, there needs to be a speeding up of the programme to install renewable energy in all its aspects. As with the national speed limit, the usual complaints and criticisms from the oil lobby can be dismissed since the work is needed as part of the war effort. 

Fourth, storage is needed to supplement renewable energy and stop the expensive and wasteful feathering of wind turbines that happens when when the wind energy supply exceeds demand. Rapid storage capacity can be achieved quickly on a decentralised basis by incentivising owners of EVs and home batteries to allow their batteries to charge when grid frequency goes up, and to discharge to the grid when grid frequency is trending downwards. Other modes of storage, such as potential energy, are available to be taken forward with renewed vigour because  situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

There are many other measures of which you will be aware that could reduce our energy demand as a nation. The essential thing is to act courageously to seize the opportunity presented by this dangerous crisis, and use the urgency created by the crisis to defeat the perpetual foot-dragging and criticisms which are being fed continuously into social and legacy media by the oil lobby. 

I, and many others, hope that you will take this opportunity to move forward an entirely reasonable reduction of our dependence on fossil fuels.

Thank you for all your work

Richard Lawson