Soaring green energy charges will make British industry uncompetitive compared with other leading countries by the end of the decade. A study by the Government’s Department for Business found that electricity prices for manufacturers and other major energy users are set to rise as a result of tighter environmental regulations and taxes. The study shows that the increase in costs will far outstrip those faced by industrial companies in other leading European Union countries that are pursuing a less ambitious green agenda. Manufacturers said that the findings were “extremely worrying”, and warned that factories in Britain could be moved overseas, where environmental regulations were weaker and energy prices lower. --Tim Webb, The Times, 13 July 2012 [Registration Required]
