Time to wake up to our energy needs

WE have the opportunity to dig for coal in Cumbria to satisfy the coking coal needs essential for our steel mills. Not only that, but it will create about 500 new jobs in an area of the north where they are desperately needed.

I know it’s a fine line to follow to keep the ‘environmentalists’ happy but we must be practical in the circumstances, so we either produce our own coal or rely on imported coal.

Either way, coal will always be needed in this country for the foreseeable future for steel making, power stations and satisfying the steam locomotives on hundreds of our Heritage Railways.

Similar needs apply to our consumption of natural gas. We have vast underground sources of this commodity. Our North Sea gas reserves are dwindling but we will always need gas for the foreseeable future, whether for heating our homes, power stations or industry.

So, we don’t want coal mining or fracking on our doorsteps to satisfy the environmentalists, but they are quite prepared to import these essentials for our wellbeing and economy from other countries far away from their own backyards! I think we call them NIMBYs.

We are heavily dependant on Europe and Russia for our gas supplies, Russia in particular for coal. We are a long way off producing enough of our own renewable energy to satisfy our needs. We can rattle as many sabres as we can muster at Russia over its intentions on Ukraine, but global warming might be the only thing that keeps up warm next winter if our suppliers cut off the taps.

The recent threat to cut off the electricity supply by our alleged ‘friends’ the French, should be a wake-up call for this Government with regard our future energy needs.

Whilst there are those of a certain mindset who will follow Greta Thunberg to her ‘promised land’, the practical realities of life are here to stay for the foreseeable future for the rest of us.

The first duty of Government is to protect its citizens. By stifling the opening of this coal mine in Cumbria and dragging its heels on fracking, this Government is relinquishing its duty of care to the citizens of this country.

Courage to do the right thing takes courage, Mr Johnson.

Edward Kynaston Lydney, Forest of Dean