Press Releases for 2004
OIL FOR RURAL KENT? CUTS IN FUEL DUTY WILL NOT INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF OIL
5th August 2004Oil price increases threaten the global economy with recession. The use of oil has been increasing for decades(1). However, as hauliers call for reductions in fuel duty the UK faces two challenges: how do we respond to the problem of much higher oil prices predicted for the future by the oil industry(2)? How do we deal with this challenge in a predominantly rural county like Kent, where communities and businesses are very oil-dependent? The Green Party is advocating a 10 point plan for Kent to deal with these problems. Hazel Dawe comments:
"Until alternative fuels are widely available, users of oil face long term higher prices. Some steps we can take in Kent include:
1. An employer-led increase in teleworking. Teleworking has the potential to cut costs for private and public enterprises as less office space will be needed; 2. Transferring freight from road to rail for all long-distance freight movement; 3. Upgrading cycling and walking networks in each local authority by taking funds from road-related spending; 4. Taking holidays without flying to cut untaxed consumption of oil; 5. Doubling spending on rural bus services to levels common in the rest of Europe, including advertising to promote bus use; 6. Creating an integrated promotional strategy for rail and bus use in Kent, incorporating Kent's major tourist destinations; 7. Stopping retail development on the fringe of urban areas; 8. Maximising the housing potential of urban centre sites, such as surface car parks, to reduce the need for car journeys; 9. Employer support for cycling and public transport use in journeys to work, with reductions in allowances or other support for car use wherever possible; 10. Support for energy conservation and renewable energy projects particularly where these directly substitute for oil. ENDS c304 words
FURTHER INFORMATION: Hazel Dawe, Campaigns Officer, on 01233 645167 or 07960 956272. Contact address: 10 Hillbrow Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 4QH.
Notes: 1. Global Commons Institute data: http://www.gci.org.uk/images/OIL_with_Depletion_Producers_and_Consumers_Compared.pdf
2. See for example: Chris Skrebowski Oil Field mega projects 2004 (Petroleum Review, January 2004)
