CBI energy wishlist - at a glance

The CBI will today issue a major new report calling on the government to provide greater clarity on its energy policy.

Here is an overview of the main areas where the business lobby group wants further details on the government's plans by February 2011.

Planning

• Royal Assent on a Decentralisation and Localism Bill which contains a coherent structure for major energy infrastructure planning, including requiring Ministers to stick to decision making timescales set out in the Planning Act and DECC
  Ministers having sign-off for energy applications
• Completion of second consultation on Energy National Policy
• Revised statements on Energy Infrastructure ready to be approved by Parliament
• Determine all outstanding Section 36 planning applications left from the pre-IPC system

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

• Winner of first CCS demonstration competition announced
• Launch of competition for the remaining three projects, with consideration given to one being a gas-fired power station.

New nuclear power

• Press ahead with preparation for new nuclear, including deciding details of funded decommissioning and waste disposal agreements

Additional market mechanisms

• Complete consultations on a carbon floor price and wider market reform

North Sea taxation

• Rule out changes to the tax system that would undermine investment, recognising the mature age of most fields and the forthcoming cost of decommissioning

Gas

• Reconsider the tax treatment of gas storage in preparation for the 2011 Budget, including the capital allowance tax treatment of onshore salt cavern gas storage

Energy efficiency

• Propose ways to make the Green Deal financing mechanism work for households and firms, and simplified the Carbon Reduction Commitment to incentivise energy efficiency

Energy intensive industries

• Consultation on ways to support the most vulnerable industries from the future costs of climate policy prior to an international agreement