Tories pledge energy 'revolution'

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The Tories are promising "a revolution" in the way energy is produced and supplied, with incentives to encourage people and firms to "go green".

Shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth accused the government of "tinkering at the edges" of the issue.

Tory plans include a power station waste levy to help capture and use heat that would otherwise go up in the air.

Households that switch to renewable energy would be allowed to sell excess energy back to the national grid.

Subsidies for on-shore wind farms would be adjusted to ensure competitive tariffs for emerging renewable technologies, Mr Ainsworth said.

'Safer country'

He told the party's conference in Blackpool: "The next Conservative government will begin a revolution in the way that our energy is generated and supplied.

"Our aim is to create real incentives to drive the market."

Of course we will not charge people for using supermarkets Peter AinsworthShadow environment secretary

"Going green" would make the nation safer and less reliant on countries like Russia for power supply, he said.

Mr Ainsworth conceded that the report by the Conservatives' quality of life group, headed by former Environment Secretary John Gummer and the environmentalist Zac Goldsmith, had received mixed reviews.

Hailing it a "groundbreaking piece of work", Mr Ainsworth insisted that one of the most controversial proposals, to charge for out-of-town supermarket parking, had now been dropped.

"Of course we will not charge people for using supermarkets," he said.

"But any business which produces waste should be made responsible for it and that includes supermarkets."