If successful, this would give our industry a viable pathway to transition from kerosene to a renewable liquid fuel such as HVO, securing a long-term future for our industry. Even more importantly, it will help to prevent off-gas grid households and businesses from being treated unfairly, by giving them more affordable and less disruptive choices.
Working closely with George Eustice’s team, we succeeded in getting the story onto the front pages, with coverage in many national newspapers, on TV and radio. This has made a massive difference to our campaign, building support and increasing the pressure on the Government to accept the amendment.
Current decarbonisation plans unfair
The fact that the HVO campaign has got this far is principally down to the HVO demonstration project, which OFTEC and UKIFDA co-led. It has been critical to convincing MPs and policy makers that our plans are robust and that the industry is serious about delivering them.
It has also given us a platform to explain what’s wrong with the Government’s current decarbonisation plans – which are unfair, too expensive and disruptive to off-gas homes and businesses – and show we have a credible alternative option that oil heating users strongly support.
Over the summer, numerous discussions have taken place with MPs, from both the Conservatives and opposition parties, as we’ve pressed home the message about how off-gas grid decarbonisation should happen.
What happens next?
The Energy Bill will be debated by Parliament in early September, just after this issue of Oil Installer is published. We are hopeful that our campaign will have persuaded enough MPs to support George Eustice’s amendment to get it through, or that the pressure of our campaign will have convinced the government to adopt it or introduce their own acceptable alternative.
It’s not too late to ask your MP to support George’s amendments, but you’ll need to be quick. To download our draft letter, visit the Future Ready Fuel website: https://futurereadyfuel.info/energy-bill-campaign-2/
We are already considering next steps if we are unsuccessful with our plans to get the Energy Bill amended, so watch out for updates via OFTEC’s e-News. Whatever happens, one thing is certain, OFTEC will continue to use every opportunity to fight for good outcomes for our industry and customers.
