Talk:Energy policy of the United Kingdom

An entry from Energy policy of the United Kingdom appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the Did you know? column on 1 June, 2006.

Wikipedia

Differentiation and overlap with Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom

Due to areas of overlap in these 2 articles I did consider putting a merger tag on them. However, on reflection, there seems to be scope for them to develop in different directions if contributors focus on their titles (government policy -v- the real world). If they don't then they do seem to run the risk of becoming duplicates. 80.42.37.198 01:17, 3 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

the two topics are quite distinct and both quite large in scope. naturally there is some overlap, but that is always the case where one has a major article and subarticles due to the depth of the overall subject matter. let them evolve separately.Anlace 03:00, 3 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I agree with Anlace. In fact I had also been thinking of starting this topic myself at some point. Since I don't have much time at the moment and the page is already underway, the following content ideas may be useful to someone:

Loads of current stuff in the 2006 Climate Change Programme (but would also need to watch for duplication with United Kingdom Climate Change Programme [1]).

For other content, how about: nationalisation and privatisation of the energy industries (Energy Act 1983, Energy Act 1991, establishment of the CEGB, development of the National Grid and the Gas Grid, the National Grid Company, the “Energy Pool” system, replacement of the Area Electricity Boards, decline of the coal industry etc); regulation of the energy markets (Offer, Ofgas) etc; exploration policy in the North Sea; the policies behind the shortage of capacity in the 1950s and huge over-supply in the 1970s; reaction to the 1973 oil crisis (speed limits, Building Regulations etc); the decision to develop nuclear energy + associated waste disposal & decommissioning policy; the Severn Barrage; funding for Salter's Duck (and Wave power in general); the failure to spend the funds in the Major Photovoltaics Demonstration Programme; the Renewables Obligation; the Climate Change Levy; Carbon tax; licensing and planning of wind farms; influence on EU energy policy; etc..... Gralo 11:13, 3 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

these ideas sound brilliant. what would format be? maybe subarticles are warranted for some of these topics, which sound extensive in their possible content. cheers Anlace 19:49, 21 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'd agree - a 'medium level' discussion on each topic area, broken up into suitable sections, so that it's easy to add links to more detailed articles for each in the future Gralo 17:48, 22 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

a medium level discussion seems ideal, but i think the tricky part is the organisational structure. optimally we dont want to have too many categories, so that perhaps some of the material could be grouped into say larger categories such as for example: deregulation vs privatisation, renewables, taxation and economic stimuli/ we already have sections on renewables , nuclear, coat so that those sections might be able to absorb some of the content related to those topics that you have advanced, what are your thoughts as to organisation? regards Anlace 06:20, 23 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Not an easy one. Having thought about it a little, the main theme about government energy policy is that it's rarely been a proactive long-term plan, but more a combination of reaction to circumstance + a reflection of whatever general political conviction the government of the day happens to follow + the odd response to public opinion. Hence nationalisation and state control kick-off post war along with nationalisation of other industries; cold war + unbounded faith in technology (in general) in the 50s and 60s that lead to the vision/hallucination/propaganda/spin (?) that nuclear power would lead to electricity "too cheap to meter"[2]; oil crisis in the 70s leading to 1st efficiency measures; Thatcherism leading to privatisation; etc. Perhaps therefore an overall view of government policy could be under these types of headings. Then linked articles - on nuclear power, for example, could cover more of the detail as you suggest, for example by providing a narrative on industry-specific subsidy or whatever. But gets a little more complex since the start of climate change concerns, since there are now many more things that government are trying to control... Gralo 23:31, 29 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Is there a policy? Doesn't look like it...

In need of an update - May 2008

I wonder if folks agree with me this article could do with more work

the lead paragraph citing the 2003 Energy White Paper gives the impression the article that follows may be out of date (as indeed some, though not all, of it is)
There is little easily summarised historical context, a History section might help readers understand the evolution of policy
Primary Energy Sources has no subheading or consideration of the second largest energy source, Oil.
Issues not thoroughly addressed by UK policy might more usefully be restyled Criticism of UK policy – though it would need careful editorial control to ensure this section stayed true to Wiki principles, reporting from a NPOV well documented and referenced criticism.

Your thoughts? It is my intention to address and edit this article directly. I thought I would invite comment while I am still researching the subject. --Sunbite (talk) 10:16, 31 May 2008 (UTC)[reply]