Page 7 - Gi flipbook June/July 2018

Ofgem opens Ofgem is
investigating
investigation whether Cadent kept
appropriate records

into gas network

company Cadent

ENERGY MARKET its risers, had appropriate records and were therefore Last year, research by
regulator Ofgem has systems in place to do so not part of our regular Citizens Advice found
launched an investigation and, as a consequence, 10-yearly survey programme. that gas and electricity
into UK gas company whether its system is “As a consequence, we network companies were
Cadent over concerns “economical and efficient”. informed Ofgem at the on target to make an
about whether it maintains Cadent owns, operates earliest opportunity in average 19 per cent profit
an efficient pipeline system and maintains four of early February and have margin over eight years,
and adequate records. the eight regional gas continued regular progress handing an average 10
Cadent said that it had distribution networks in briefings to date. per cent return back to
identified incomplete the West Midlands, North “Alongside this, we shareholders, despite the
records regarding gas pipes, West, East of England and immediately implemented “fundamentally low risk”
known as risers, on high- North London, and has a a survey recovery nature of the business.
rise buildings. responsibility to keep records programme to resolve Customers have
The discovery came as of these, Ofgem said. the issue as quickly and overpaid by £7.5 billion
a result of a request for A spokesperson for effectively as possible.” – an average of £285 per
information from a council, Cadent said: “Between The announcement, household – over the
prompted by the Grenfell January and February 2018 reported in The Independent, last eight years because
Tower fire that killed 71 Cadent identified that came just one day after of errors in judgment
people last year. just some of our records British Gas hit customers made by Ofgem in pricing
Ofgem said that it was regarding high-rise buildings with a 5.5 per cent price the network contracts,
investigating whether Cadent – buildings of six storeys hike, taking the cost of its Citizens Advice found. It
has kept and maintained and above – were not standard tariff to £1,161 for a said the money should be
appropriate records for contained on our digitised typical dual fuel customer. refunded to customers. ■

Friends of the Earth challenge the Environment said Cuadrilla would provide
The Environment Agency
Agency’s decision to allow
seeks to challenge the process at Preston New a “high level of protection
Road, in Little Plumpton.
for people and the
Energy firm Cuadrilla
Lancashire fracking plan completed drilling the first environment.”
A spokesman said the
well at the site in April company had been granted
and is due to apply for all necessary permits and it
A CHARITY is seeking a Lancashire, it has emerged. final consent for fracking, was “inappropriate” for Friends
judicial review over a decision Friends of the Earth has reports the BBC. of the Earth to suggest
to allow fracking at a site in applied for permission to The agency said it was there is any reason for the
“unable to comment on government not to grant full
Drilling rig at
consent for fracking.
CUADRILLA Preston New Road lodged at the High Court on previously lost appeals
ongoing legal proceedings”.
The application was
Other campaigners have
8 March and campaigners against fracking at the site.
are now waiting for a The government
decision, Friends of the approved the firm’s
Earth said. plans for the site in Little
They have also sent Plumpton in October 2016.
a letter asking Business Lancashire County Council
Secretary Greg Clark to had initially refused Cuadrilla’s
assure them that fracking application in 2015 but it was
will not be allowed while granted following an appeal
the challenge is considered. and planning inquiry. ■

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News.indd 2 17/05/2018 13:49