While big energy companies make record profits, the fuel bills of ordinary Londoners are out of control. And while other major cities make the transition to clean energy -- tackling air pollution and climate change -- London is lagging behind. We don’t have to accept profiteering, poverty and pollution. Switched On London is calling for a people-powered alternative. A publicly owned company with social justice, clean energy and democracy at its core... SOCIAL JUSTICE --> We want an energy company that offers fair, affordable prices, based on a progressive pricing system. --> We want an energy company that does not cut-off access to those who can’t pay and that does not install unwanted prepayment meters. --> We want an energy company that re-invests all revenues in measures to address fuel poverty and the cost of living crisis, particularly prioritising ambitious investment in household energy efficiency measures. --> We want an energy company that treats its workers fairly, meaning paying at least a London Living Wage, good terms and conditions, secure, unionised and non-precarious work. CLEAN ENERGY --> We want ambitious public investment in new renewable energy generating capacity (we are initiating research into an appropriate specific investment target). A significant portion should be invested in renewable capacity in London. --> The GLA and London local authorities must divest their pension funds from fossil fuels, and re-invest this money to fund the new renewable capacity we need. Other public funding sources for new renewable investment to be explored include municipal bonds and borrowing. --> We want an energy company that aims to sell 100% renewable energy as soon as feasibly possible. DEMOCRACY --> We want a company fully owned by London public bodies (without any private partners) but controlled by people directly. --> To do this, we want to integrate a range of democratic mechanisms, including: 1. A board of directors made up of: 1/3rd London public officials; 1/3rd energy company employees elected democratically by the whole energy company workforce; 1/3rd ordinary London residents, elected democratically with all London residents and all non-London customers given a vote. Board membership must guarantee at least 50% representation of women. 2. Annual open assemblies in every London borough, where representatives of the company have to answer questions and take input and advice. 3. The creation of an online democratic forum where people can discuss and influence the company’s operations, including through public petitions. 4. An obligation for the board to discuss public petitions, if backed by 1% or more of London’s population. 5. An obligation for an online referendum on a proposal, if backed by 5% of London’s population. 6. 100% transparency in all operations. 7. These democratic measures apply to all London residents, regardless of citizenship/nationality status.

Anti women and anti renewable energy

1 The government have not looked at greener energy alternatives. 2 There is nuclear waste that can damage the environment. 3 its too costly at £25,000,000 for the 6,000000 people it will provide electricty for which will also cost more. 4 We could be controlled by China through their computer systems. 5 The Chinese would gain more power in Europe

This planning proposal was voted out by Fylde Planning Dept. earlier in October by a very narrow vote. The Councillors voting against the proposal do not see the value of green, pollution free energy, which we, in the western world, need desperately. The Councillors voted narrowly against this proposal in the face of overwhelming public support, and I consider this very undemocratic. They did not seem to listen to the arguments that the land would get double value by producing energy and still be able to be used for grazing as it has for the last 30 years, This seems to be nimbyism, short sighted and not willing to encompass new technology.

The commitment to purchase electricity from a future Hinckley C is eye-wateringly expensive. By contrast, the cost now for continuing our support for renewable energy is a tiny fraction of that amount. Britain's national interest is being sacrificed on the altar of Chinese-invested-and-profited but UK-taxpayer-funded nuclear power. We should take the opportunity to invest in renewable energy now, while borrowing costs are low.

Already 1,000 have lost their jobs in solar energy sector. The sudden cuts in solar subsidy meant two leading renewable energy companies went bust within hours of each other. We need to act now, otherwise this will be the end. Around 20,000 people are still at risk of losing their livelihood - that’s ten times as many of the jobs lost at Redcar steel factory. 20,000 people losing their jobs could be lights out for solar power in the UK. Doug Parr, Greenpeace’s chief UK scientist told the Independent : “This should be a wake-up call for David Cameron, who faces international embarrassment ahead of crucial climate talks.” The government is saying: “All job losses are regrettable and we sympathise with those affected.” But that’s not enough. The government needs to save these vital jobs, not sign off on their death certificate. The cut to solar energy was not even in the Conservative manifesto. This U-turn on energy means hundreds of schools, families and community groups who backed rooftop solar energy could end up as the biggest losers. Every signature could increase the pressure on the government to act now and save thousands of solar jobs. Please sign the petition.

This is important for the fact that the local council has ridden roughshod over our wishes and concerns of the local residents. It may be a run down area in some peoples eyes but we pay our taxes the same as everyone else. We should not be subjected to this because of the greed of the local council. If they want it bad enough, let them build the plant on their doorstep.

The UK government has recently introduced a whole host of measures that reduce subsidies to renewable energy and actively discourage people from going green. The effects of this are massive. Today we heard that Drax, which runs the biggest coal-fired power station in the UK, has been forced to abandon a £1bn carbon technology project that would have captured 90% of the plant’s emissions, and all because the government removed the renewable energy tax exemption which funded the project. This comes as the Chancellor, George Osborne, also unbelievably introduced a £3.9bn carbon tax called the ‘Climate Change Levy’ on wind and solar power and biogas. As these energy sources emit no net carbon, this policy seems absolutely ridiculous. He has also changed Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) so that now a Prius costs just as much as a Porsche. The AA believes this decision will discourage drivers from using less polluting cars. Other bright ideas include destroying the green homes scheme, selling off the green investment bank, and spending £24.5 bn building the new Hinkley point c nuclear power plant out of what experts have called ‘outdated’ and ‘overcomplicated’ technology. Amber Rudd, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, says the subsidy cuts are because they exceeded its £7.6bn budget for renewable energy this summer, and supposedly they will help keep household bills down, but how will increasing tax on greener cars keep families in pocket? How will removing support for green homes today help small businesses to reduce their bills in the future? And how exactly are MPs going to justify this attack on clean energy in the face of the current and future health problems caused by the hydrocarbons that they still continue to subsidise? The UK has always been a world leader in environmental policy, and now the actions of this government are putting our moral and scientific reputation at risk, as well as deterring investors and putting our health at risk. Please sign this petition now to let Amber Rudd and George Osborne know that we won’t put up with it. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34319458 http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/sep/22/al-gore-puzzled-by-ukcuts-to-renewable-energy-support http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/24/the-9-green-policies-killed-off-by-tory-government http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/sep/21/the-guardian-view-on-hinkley-point-c-overcomplicated-overpriced-and-overdue http://www.carbonbrief.org/blog/2015/07/decc-amber-rudd-reduces-subsidies-for-renewable-energy/

Nothing is more important for our survival than safe water. It is basic to our health, our children's health, to the production of livestock and crops. The Government has recently granted licenses for Companies to drill for shale gas. Two of these areas cover the West Pennine Moors and parts of Bolton, Chorley and Preston. But this is an issue for domestic and commercial water users across the region. A large part of the land designated for fracking is owned by United Utilities and is the water catchment for the reservoirs at Rivington and Anglezarke. Apart from these areas being valued and visited for their beauty and recreation, they also supply water mainly to Liverpool but also Greater Manchester. Where fracking has occurred in the US & Australia, there has been widespread contamination and depletion of water sources as a result of the fracking process. Risks include carcinogenic chemicals used in the fracking process, the release of methane and also increased radiation. Locally, exploratory drilling resulted in contamination at Barton Moss and on the Fylde. . We all need to know that United Utilities is not only taking seriously the risks posed by fracking, but will take all necessary steps to protect our water.

The total destruction of the vital environment and large swathes of animal life on earth, caused by the insatiable drives of capitalism threatens the entire bio-diversity of the planet in the long term and the foundations of human civilisation in the short term. Now, that wouldn't be very nice, would it?

Free boilers are given to people on benefits but not to pensioners on low incomes who do not receive benefits. Every year many pensioners die from the effects of cold and others suffer needlessly as they shiver in their own homes. They should automatically qualify for this scheme. Benefit payments are to be capped at £500 per week for couples and £350 per week for single people. This should be the level of income to qualify pensioners for free boilers - £26000 and £18200 respectively. A new combi gas boiler could tansform, and even prolong, the lives of many people who have worked all their lives and now find themselves with the dilemma of "eat or heat".

Last month the government slashed and axed green energy subsidies because no money was left. But now the government is pushing full steam ahead with £17 BILLION subsidies for untested nuclear reactor at Hinkley. How can there be on rule for green energy and another for nuclear energy? If there is no money for green energy how can there be BILLIONS for nuclear? If there’s no money left why are we committing to subsidising a deal that’s been called as “economically insane” by city analysts and “one of the worst deals ever for British households and British industry” by Lord Howell, the pro-nuclear’ former Tory Energy Secretary. Agree with me that paying billions of pounds for nuclear energy is wrong? Please sign the petition now. There have been safety concerns over Hinkley. Two plants in Finland and France which use the same design, have been plagued with construction delays, spiralling costs and design flaws. Hinkley is under attack from not just from campaigners and community but also from one of our biggest banks. A report from HSBC on 2nd August 2015 warned that the massive cost was the new nuclear power plant was ‘becoming harder to justify.’ HSBC concluded: ‘We see ample reason for the UK Government to delay or cancel the project.’ The Hinkley deal is so outrageous and over-subsidised (£17 Billion), that ten green energy firms from Germany and Austria launched a legal challenge against it last month. Let’s not lavish the nuclear energy with billions of pounds while we’re cutting back from renewable energy because apparently the piggy bank is empty. The chorus of disapproval growing and if 38 Degrees members add our voice we could force the government to bin this bonkers plan.