Difference between revisions of "E.ON"

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==Background==
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'''E.ON''' is an international energy company, headquartered in Germany, with interests in Europe, Russia and the US. <ref>[http://www.eon.com/en/about-us/profile.html E.ON website: 'Who we are: An overview'], undated, accessed August, 2012.</ref>
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It operates nuclear power stations in Germany and Sweden.<ref>[http://www.eon.com/content/dam/eon-com/en/downloads/e/E.ON_2011_Annual_Report.pdf E.ON Annual Report 2011], See page 133, para 2, accessed July, 2012. See also [http://www.eon.com/en/business-areas/power-generation/nuclear/nuclear-in-the-energy-mix.html E.ON website: 'Nuclear Power in the Energy Mix'], undated, accessed July, 2012.</ref>
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It also owns a part-share in [[Urenco]], a British-Dutch-German owned nuclear fuel company operating several uranium enrichment plants in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the US.
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E.ON UK is the second largest electricity generator in the UK, and a leading energy supplier with around eight million electricity and gas customer accounts. Through its retail business, [[E.ON Energy Solutions]], it supplies energy to homes as well as small-medium-enterprises and industrial customers across the country. <ref> [http://www.eon.com/en/about-us/structure/regional-units.html E.ON website: 'Regional Units: United Kingdom], undated, accessed August 2012 </ref>
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E.ON UK operates 10 coal, gas and oil-fired power stations which generate around 10 per cent of the UK's electricity. It also operates up to 20 wind farms, an extensive biomass co-firing programme and one of the UK’s largest dedicated biomass power stations. It is building the world’s largest offshore wind farm, the London Array in the Thames Estuary. It also has 13 large-scale Combined Heat and Power plants across the UK. <ref> [http://www.eon-uk.com/about/generation.aspx E.ON UK website: 'Generation'], undated, accessed August 2012 </ref>
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==E.ON's nuclear power stations==
 
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===Germany===
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Two of E.ON’s nuclear power stations in Germany were closed down in March 2011 following the [[Fukushima]] accident in Japan. These were Unterweser <ref> [http://www.eon-kernkraft.com/pages/ekk_en/Nuclear_Power_Plants/Locations/Kernkraftwerk_Unterweser/index.htm E.ON website: 'Kernkraftwerk Unterweser'], undated, accessed August 2012 </ref> and Isar-1. <ref> [http://www.eon-kernkraft.com/pages/ekk_en/Nuclear_Power_Plants/Locations/Kernkraftwerk_Isar/index.htm E.ON website: 'Kernkraftwerk Isar'], undated, E.ON website accessed August 2012. </ref> Two other stations, Wuergassen and Stade, had previously been withdrawn from service for commercial reasons in 1994 <ref> [http://www.eon-kernkraft.com/pages/ekk_en/Nuclear_Power_Plants/Locations/Kernkraftwerk_Wuergassen/index.htm E.ON website: 'Kernkraftwerk Wuergassen'], undated, accessed August 2012</ref> and November 2003 respectively. <ref> [http://www.eon-kernkraft.com/pages/ekk_en/Nuclear_Power_Plants/Locations/Kernkraftwerk_Stade/index.htm E.ON website: 'Kernkraftwerk Stade'], undated accessed August 2012 </ref>
E.ON is an international energy company, headquartered in Germany, with interests in Europe and the US. <ref>[http://www.eon.com/en/422.jsp E.ON website: 'Corporate'], undated, accessed February, 2006.</ref>
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This leaves E.ON with operational responsibility for four German nuclear reactors. According to Germany's nuclear phase-out these must be withdrawn from service by 31 December of the year indicated: Grafenrheinfeld (2015), Brokdorf (2021), Grohnde (2021), Isar 2 (2022). <ref> [http://www.eon.com/en/business-areas/power-generation/nuclear/current-information.html E.ON website: 'Current Information] undated, E.ON website accessed August 2012 </ref>
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E.ON owns 100 per cent of Unterweser, Isar-1 and Grafenrfeinfeld, 80 per cent of Brockdorf ([[Vattenfall]] owns 20 per cent) <ref> [http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf43.html Nuclear Power in Germany], World Nuclear Association, July 2012, accessed August 2012.</ref>; 83.3 per cent of Grohnde (Stadtwerke Bielefeld owns 16.7 per cent) <ref> [http://www.eon-kernkraft.com/pages/ekk_en/Nuclear_Power_Plants/Locations/Gemeinschaftskernkraftwerk_Grohnde/index.htm E.ON website: 'Gemeinschaftskernkraftwerk Grohnde'], undated, accessed August 2012.</ref> and 75 per cent of Isar-2 (25% owned by Stadtwerke München). <ref> [http://www.eon-kernkraft.com/pages/ekk_en/Nuclear_Power_Plants/Locations/Kernkraftwerk_Isar/index.htm  E.ON website: Kernkraftwerk Isar], undated, accessed August 2012. </ref>
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In addition, E.ON has equity in the following nuclear plants: Kruemmel 50 per cent (shutdown); Brunsbuettel 33.3 per cent (shutdown); Gundremmingen B& C 25 per cent (closing 2012 and 2012); Emsland 12.5 per cent (closing 2022). <ref> [http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf43.html Nuclear Power in Germany], World Nuclear Association, July 2012, accessed August 2012.</ref>
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===Sweden===
  
It operates 12 nuclear power stations in Germany and one in Sweden.<ref>[http://www.eon-energie.com/frameset_german/main_frameset_reloader.phtml?top=http://www.eon-energie.com/Ressources/frame_head_eng.jsp&bottom=http://www.eon-energie.com/frameset_english/company_eng/company_facts_eng/com_annual_report/com_annual_report.jsp E.ON website: 'The company E.ON Energy'], undated, accessed February, 2006.</ref>
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E.ON operates and has a majority stake (54.5 per cent) in [[OKG]], which has three reactors at Oskarshamn,  29.6 per cent of the Ringhals nuclear power plant which has four reactors, and 8.5 per cent of the Forsmark nuclear plant, which has three reactors. <ref> [http://world-nuclear.org/info/inf42.html 'Nuclear Power in Sweden'], World Nuclear Association, June 2012, accessed August 2012. Also see [http://www.eon.com/content/dam/eon-com/de/downloads/f/Facts_and_Figures_2012_-_March_2012.pdf E.ON Fact and Figures], March 2012, E.ON website, accessed August 2012. See page 7.</ref>
  
E.ON&#39;s UK arm owns the energy supplier Powergen, which has some 6m electricity and gas customers. Eon UK generates power, through a combination of coal, oil and gas power stations. It also operates 20 wind farms and a hydro scheme. <ref>[http://www.eon-uk.com/Content/about/aboutus.aspx?MenuId=314 Eon UK: &#39;About us&#39;], undated, accessed February, 2006.</ref>
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===Finland===
  
==E.ON and nuclear in the UK==
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In June 2007, E.ON joined a consortium of 70 industrial and energy companies to establish a joint venture company – [[Fennovoima Oy]] – to construct a new nuclear power plant in Finland. In January 2009, Fennovoima submitted its application to the government for a decision-in-principle, which was granted in May 2010. In October 2011 the company chose a site on the Hanhikivi peninsula on the coast of Bothnian Bay. E.ON is the lead member of the consortium with a 34 per cent share. The Hanhikivi 1 plant would be an EPR or Toshiba's version of the Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR). Work had been expected to start in 2012, but has now been delayed two years to 2014. <ref>[http://world-nuclear.org/info/inf76.html Nuclear Power in Finland], World Nuclear Association, April 2012, accessed August 2012. </ref>
E.ON is considering major investment in new nuclear power stations in the UK. In its submission to the Stern Review of the economics of Climate Change,<ref>[http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk./independent_reviews/stern_review_economics_climate_change/sternreview_index.cfm HM Treasury website]</ref> dated December 2005, the company stated: &#39;Nuclear power: we are carrying out preliminary work on evaluating this as an investment option in the UK.&#39; It continued: &#39;In the UK, there has been little or no progress in the development of a regulatory framework that makes investment in nuclear power a real option for the market to consider. We will work with Government in moving this agenda forward&#39; <ref>[http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/F7B/D6/climatechange_eonuk.pdf &#39;Stern review on the economics of climate change _ evidence by E.ON UK&#39;, (pdf file)], December, 2005.</ref>
 
  
It added: &#39;Assuming that a nuclear design and site licensing and planning regime exists which minimises plant procurement costs, new nuclear construction can be broadly competitive and could become the preferred technology with a modest cost of carbon.&#39; <ref>[http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/F7B/D6/climatechange_eonuk.pdf &#39;Stern review on the economics of climate change _ evidence by Eon UK&#39;, (pdf file)], December, 2005.</ref>
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===United Kingdom===
  
So, in common with other energy companies, E.ON is repositioning nuclear as a green form of power.
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In January 2009 E.ON UK formed a joint venture with [[RWE]] npower, called [[Horizon Nuclear Power]], with the aim of developing up to 6600 MW of new nuclear power station capacity at Wylfa on Anglesey and Oldbury in Gloucestershire. <ref>[http://www.horizonnuclearpower.com/ Horizon Nuclear Power website], undated, accessed August 2012.</ref> Three years later, following the conclusion of separate strategic reviews in March 2012, both E.ON and RWE announced their intention to withdraw from UK nuclear and seek new owners for Horizon. <ref>[http://www.horizonnuclearpower.com/files/downloads/e_on%20press%20release.pdf E.ON Press Release] 29 March 2012</ref>
  
==‘Environmentally Friendly’ Nuclear Power==
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In July 2012 it emerged that E.ON had colluded with government officials to soften the impact of their withdrawal from Horizon on the UK’s new nuclear programme. <ref>Rob Edwards, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/jul/19/emails-nuclear-power Emails reveal UK Government's moves to protect nuclear power from bad news], Guardian, 19th July 2012, accessed July 2012 </ref>
  
E.ON says nuclear power is “not only economical and reliable” but also “completely CO2-free”. It promotes nuclear as “part of a broad mix of energies which is essential in order to guarantee a secure supply of power”.
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===='Environmentally friendly’ nuclear power====
  
Its says: “We are convinced that nuclear energy can be used responsibly now and in the future. Along with conventional power plants, it plays a decisive role in supplying energy more safely and affordably… It is environmentally friendly and economical, and has enormous potential for further development.” <ref>[http://www.eon.com/en/unternehmen/8562.jsp Eon website: Nuclear power] undated, accessed December, 2006.</ref>
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When E.ON announced the RWE joint venture, group chief executive Dr [[Wulf Bernotat]] described nuclear power “as a carbon dioxide free energy resource” and “one of the most efficient ways to produce energy while protecting the climate from CO2 ... a reliable and low carbon source of electricity.” <ref>[http://www.eon.com/en/media/news/press-releases/2009/1/14/e-dot-on-and-rwe-form-joint-venture-to-build-uk-nuclear-power-stations.html E.ON Press Release] 14 January 2009.</ref>
  
So, in common with other energy companies, E.ON is repositioning nuclear as a green form of power.
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So, in common with other energy companies, E.ON has repositioned nuclear as a green form of power.
  
But alongside E.ON’s concern for the environment, it is applying to build the first coal-fired power-station in the UK for 20 years. <ref>[http://www.eon-uk.com/pressRelease.aspx?id=1045 Eon website: E.ON UK submits planning application for UK’s first new coal-fired units for over 20 years], 11 December, 2006.</ref>
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==Coal and carbon capture and storage in the UK==
  
==E.ON’s Teaching Packs for Schools==
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In December 2006, E.ON submitted a planning application to build the UK’s first coal-fired power station for 20 years at Kingsnorth in Kent. <ref>[http://www.eon-uk.com/libraries/uk/images/Kingsnorth_press_release_11_12_06.pdf E.ON Press Release], 11th December 2006.</ref> After two years of protests against its plans, it quietly announced on its website on 7 October 2009 that it was shelving the project, blaming a dramatic fall in energy demand which it said made Kingsnorth redundant. It said it would reconsider in two or three years and could go ahead if energy prices recovered. <ref>Webb,T and Jha, A [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/08/kingsnorth-eon-pulls-out-plan Siege of Kingsnorth declared over as E.ON pulls out of plan for coal power plant], Guardian, 8 October 2009.</ref>
  
E.ON is engaged in “a major new programme” to produce and promote teaching packs for schools, tied into the national curriculum for 14- to 16-year-olds. One activity encourages children to debate the motion: ‘Our class believes that nuclear is the right choice to meet the UK’s energy needs in the 21st century.’ Teachers can download an ‘activity card’<ref>[http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/eeAssets/worldPDF/Energy_World_activity_card_6.pdf Eon website]</ref> to help them plan a lesson on the nuclear power debate. While the teaching pack website<ref>[http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/918.htm Eon website]</ref> provides links to [[Greenpeace]] and coverage of the [[Chernobyl]] disaster, it also points students towards the nuclear industry’s lobbying body, the [[World Nuclear Association]].
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A year later the company said it was pulling Kingsnorth out of the government's carbon capture and storage competition, because it could not meet competition timescales. Dr [[Paul Golby]], chief executive of E.ON UK said because they had postponed building the new power station it would have no plant on which to build a carbon capture and storage facility.<ref>[http://pressreleases.eon-uk.com/blogs/eonukpressreleases/archive/2010/10/20/1628.aspx E.ON Press Release] 20 October 2010.</ref>
  
==E.ON and the FA Cup - Great Brand Awareness ==
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On 23rd August 2012, E.ON declared that it would not build any more coal or gas-fired plant in Western Europe until at least 2020. <ref> [http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/23/germany-power-eon-idINL6E8JNF8B20120823 E.ON drops gas/coal plant building  in W.Europe-company] Reuters 23rd August 2012, accessed 3rd September 2012. </ref>
  
In Agust 2006, E.ON became the sponsor of Britain's "FA Cup" for the next four years. In addition, the company became the sponsor of the FA Women’s Cup, the FA Youth Cup as well as the FA Schools Football Development Partner.
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===Dictating government guidelines on Kingsnorth=== 
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In April 2009 leaked emails revealed that E.ON was dictating government guidelines on the need for carbon capture and storage (CCS) on the proposed new coal plant at Kingsnorth. The emails showed a civil servant from the [[Department of Business]] writing to E.ON asking whether they should include a condition that CCS would be in place. E.ON responded that the secretary of state "has no right to withhold approval for conventional plant" and the civil servant ([[Gary Mohammed]]) agreed immediately that he would not include CCS as a condition. <ref>George Monbiot, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/20/energy-police Allies against democracy] The Guardian, Comment is Free. 20 April, 2009. Accessed 13/05/10 </ref>
  
Speaking at the launch, E.ON UK Director of Brand Strategy and Retail Communications, Helen Merrick said, “We’re delighted to be able to launch our sponsorship of The FA Cup today. The FA Cup is recognised and respected throughout the world and we are extremely proud to associate our brand with this famous competition". <ref>Football Association, [http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/NewsFromTheFA/Postings/2006/08/FASponsor_EON.htm ''Legends launch E.ON sponsorship''], 9 August, 2006.</ref>
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===Given police intelligence on climate protesters=== 
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In the same month it was also revealed that police intelligence on [[Climate Camp]] protesters at Kingsnorth, including their names and whereabouts, was passed to E.ON by government officials.  This led to claims that policing was partisan, colluding with the energy companies to quash protest. The freedom of information (FOI) request by the [[Liberal Democrats]] also showed that the [[Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform]] (BERR) had shared strategy and planning documents with E.ON, and attempted to coordinate their media strategies before the demo. Many sections of the FOI response, which was initially refused but released on appeal, were blacked out.<ref>Matthew Taylor and Paul Lewis [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/20/police-intelligence-e-on-berr Secret police intelligence was given to E.ON before planned demo] ''The Guardian'', Comment is Free. 20th April, 2009. Accessed 13/05/10</ref>  
  
On its website, E.ON explains how: "the sponsorship of The FA Cup is a major coup for the business and builds on our long standing heritage in sports involvement across the UK" which "provides E.ON with a very powerful vehicle to raise the awareness of a relatively new brand in the UK. The sponsorship will ensure our name is broadcast to millions of people in stadiums and living rooms across the UK each season". <ref>[http://www.eon-uk.com/thefacup.aspx Eon UK Website]</ref>
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E.ON was accused of exaggerating claims in the media about the potential threat posed by climate protests. It claimed that 300,000 homes could be affected if the demo entered the power station, when in fact operations had already been stopped by E.ON and power was available from the rest of the grid.<ref>George Monbiot [http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/20/energy-police Allies against democracy] ''The Guardian'', Comment is Free. 20 April, 2009. Accessed 13/05/10</ref>
  
==EU Threatens Fine Over Break-in==
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===Spying on environmental activists===
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E.ON was also caught out hiring private security firm, [[Vericola]], to spy on environmental activists. According to ''the Guardian'':
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:E.ON said it had hired Vericola and another security firm, [[Global Open]], on an "ad hoc" basis as its executives wanted to know when environmentalists were going to demonstrate at or invade its power stations and other premises, as they had done in the past. The [[E.ON]] spokesman said it asked [[Vericola]] only for publicly available information and if Todd (CEO of [[Vericola]]) and her colleagues had obtained private information, they had done so "under their own steam".
  
E.ON is facing a fine of hundreds of millions of Euros after a sealed room was allegedly entered overnight during a two-day raid by European Union anti-cartel investigators, according to the Financial Times.<ref>[http://www.ft.com Financial Times website]</ref>
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Two other energy companies which had used Vericola's services, [[SRG]] and [[Scottish Power]], did not comment. <ref> Rob Evans and Paul Lewis, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/14/energy-firms-activists-intelligence-gathering Revealed: how energy firms spy on environmental activists] ''The Guardian'', 14 February 2011.</ref>
  
The FT reported that the case is part of an inquiry into anti-competitive abuses in the energy sector. Neelie Kroes, EU competition commissioner, reportedly wrote to the company saying she believes it “intentionally or at least negligently” broke an official seal fixed on the door of an office targeted by her investigators in May. <ref>George Parker and Ralph Atkins [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/f5194b24-7a5c-11db-8838-0000779e2340.html 'Eon faces EU fine over break-in allegation'], Financial Times, 22 November, 2006.</ref>
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==PR and lobbying==
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*[[Edelman]] - [[Chris Rumfitt]], MD of Edelman's public affairs practice has 'advised E.ON on high profile issues around nuclear new build'.<ref name="Chris"> [http://www.edelman.co.uk/the-team/staff/?staff_name=chrisrumfitt Chris Rumfitt], Edelman website, undated, acc 10 September 2013 </ref>
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*[[Lexington Communications]] - lists E.On UK as a public affairs client from December 2011 to May 2012 <ref>Association of Professional Political Consultants: [http://www.appc.org.uk/en/register/current-register.cfm/lexington-communications Register Entry, 1 Mar 2012 - 31st May 2012] accessed August 2012.</ref><ref name="Political">Association of Professional Political Consultants, Register Entry, 1 Dec 2011 - 29 Feb 2012</ref>
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*[[PPS Group]]- lists E.ON Rampion (windpower) as a public affairs client from December 2011 to May 2012 <ref>Association of Professional Political Consultants [http://www.appc.org.uk/en/register/current-register.cfm/pps-group Register Entry for 1 March 2012 to 31 May 2012], accessed August 2012, APPC Register 1 Dec 2011 - 29 Feb 2012, accessed June 2012</ref>
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* [[Cherton Enterprise]] - lists E.ON’s Energy from Waste division as a client from March to May 2012 <ref>Association of Professional Political Consultants [http://www.appc.org.uk/en/register/current-register.cfm/cherton-enterprise Register Entry for 1 March 2012 to 31 May 2012], accessed August 2012.</ref>
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* [[Fishburn Hedges]] worked for E.ON in 2005. <ref>Association of Professional Political Consultants: [http://www.appc.org.uk/registers/APPC_register_Dec04-May05.pdf Register of members and clients Dec 04-May 05 (pdf file)] (no longer online) and [http://www.appc.org.uk/registers/APPC_register_June05-Nov05.pdf Register of members and clients June-Nov 05 (pdf file)](no longer online).</ref>
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* [[Ecuity Consulting]] - lists E.ON as a client – this will be in connection to their membership of the Micropower Council and promotion of Micro-CHP and small-scale renewables. <ref> Association of Professional Political Consultants [http://www.appc.org.uk/en/register/current-register.cfm/jds-associates Register Entry for 1 March 2012 to 31 May 2012], accessed August 2012.</ref>
  
==E.ON dictating government guidelines on Kingsnorth==
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==E.ON’s teaching packs for schools==
  
In April 2009 leaked emails revealed that UKBCSE member E.ON was dictating government guidelines on the need for [[Carbon Capture and Storage]] (CCS) on the proposed new coal plant at [[Kingsnorth]], Kent.
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E.ON is engaged in “a major new programme” to produce and promote teaching packs for schools. Designed to support the geography and science curricula for young people aged 5-16 in England, Scotland and Wales, the E.ON Energy Experience, according to the website “doesn't tell young people about energy, it allows them to experience it”. <ref>[http://www.eon-uk.com/energyexperience/ E.ON Energy Experience], undated, accessed July 2012.</ref> One activity encourages children to debate the motion: ‘Our class believes that nuclear is the right choice to meet the UK’s energy needs in the 21st century.’ Teachers can download an ‘activity card’<ref>[http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/eeAssets/worldPDF/Energy_World_activity_card_6.pdf Eon website], undated, accessed August 2012. </ref> to help them plan a lesson on the nuclear power debate. While the teaching pack website<ref>[http://www.eon-uk.com/EnergyExperience/918.htm Eon website: Energy World: Notes on a Nuclear Future], undated, accessed August 2012.</ref> has broken links to [[Greenpeace]] and the [[World Nuclear Association]] it also points students towards coverage of the [[Chernobyl]] disaster.
  
The emails show a civil servant from the [[Department of Business]] writing to E.ON asking whether they should include a condition that CCS would be in place. E.ON responded that the secretary of state "has no right to withhold approval for conventional plant" and the civil servant ([[Gary Mohammed]]) agreed immediately that he would not include CCS as a condition.<ref>George Monbiot [http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/20/energy-police Allies against democracy] The Guardian, Comment is Free. 20th April, 2009. Accessed 13/05/10</ref>
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==Who runs E.ON UK?==
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E.ON UK's website provides a list of its senior executives: <ref> [http://www.eon-uk.com/about/board.aspx E.ON UK website, 'Board']  accessed July 2012. </ref>  
  
==E.ON collaborating with police to stop Climate demonstrations==
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*[[Tony Cocker]], Chief Executive. He started working for E.ON (then [[Powergen]]) in 1997 previously worked for Bass plc and for the LEK Partnership.
  
In April 2009 a request by the Liberal Democrats led to release of information on the relationship between E.ON, the police and the [[Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform]] (BERR) over the [[Climate Camp]] demonstrations at [[Kingsnorth]] power station.<ref>Matthew Taylor and Paul Lewis [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/20/police-intelligence-e-on-berr Secret police intelligence was given to E.ON before planned demo] The Guardian, Comment is Free. 20th April, 2009. Accessed 13/05/10</ref>
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*[[Don Leiper]] is Director of New Business for E.ON Energy Solutions. He first joined the energy industry with East Midlands Electricity (later becoming part of Powergen) in 1992 after previously qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and working for a London-based accountancy firm.
  
It was revealed that police intelligence and BERR strategies on climate protesters, including their names and whereabouts were passed to E.ON. This led to claims that policing was partisan, colluding with energy companies to quash protest.<ref>Matthew Taylor and Paul Lewis [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/20/police-intelligence-e-on-berr Secret police intelligence was given to E.ON before planned demo] The Guardian, Comment is Free. 20th April, 2009. Accessed 13/05/10</ref>
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*[[Jeremy Davies]] is Marketing Director of E.ON Energy Solutions. He previously worked for [[Abbey]].
  
At the same time E.ON were accused of exaggerating claims in the media about the potential threat posed by climate protests. They claimed that 300,000 homes could be affected if the demo entered the power station, when in fact operations had already been stopped by E.ON and power was available from the rest of the grid.<ref>George Monbiot [http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/apr/20/energy-police Allies against democracy] The Guardian, Comment is Free. 20th April, 2009. Accessed 13/05/10</ref> BERR and government also attempted to coordinate their media strategies at this time.<ref>Matthew Taylor and Paul Lewis [http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/20/police-intelligence-e-on-berr Secret police intelligence was given to E.ON before planned demo] The Guardian, Comment is Free. 20th April, 2009. Accessed 13/05/10</ref>
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*[[David Bird]] is Customer Service Director for E.ON UK. He joined the company in July 2009. Prior to his role with E.ON, David spent five years as Customer Service Director at National Express.
  
==E.ON hires private security firm Vericola==
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*[[Maria Antoniou]] joined the company as HR Director in September 2008 from [[Transport for London]] where she had been Group HR Director for just under two years.
  
Different from corporate espionage between two private firms, cases of corporate espionage against the public are being uncovered. Arguably the very industries whose environmental and social impacts are being challenged are delegating their dirty work to private security firms.
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*[[Fiona Stark]] is Director of Corporate Affairs. She joined the company in 1989.
Responding to ''The Guardian'' after being exposed for employing the private security company [[Vericola]], who was allegedly infiltrating campaign groups,
 
  
:[[E.ON]] said it had hired [[Vericola]] and another security firm, Global Open, on an "ad hoc" basis as its executives wanted to know when environmentalists were going to demonstrate at or invade its power stations and other premises, as they had done in the past. The [[E.ON]] spokesman said it asked [[Vericola]] only for publicly available information and if Todd and her colleagues had obtained private information, they had done so "under their own steam". [[SRG]] and [[Scottish Power]] did not comment.<ref name="Evans3">Rob Evans and Paul Lewis [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/feb/14/energy-firms-activists-intelligence-gathering Revealed: how energy firms spy on environmental activists] ''The Guardian'', 14/02/11, accessed 22/02/11</ref>
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*[[Sue LaVerne]] is Managing Director of Business Services.  
  
Shortly before ''The Guardian'' released the story, ''Indymedia'' published a full account of the [[Vericola]] exposure. ''Indymedia'' published  the full company details, the process by which activists gathered evidence about the infiltration and photos of [[Rebecca Todd]]. The groups which had been targeted were included, as were the email addresses she and her agents used so that campaigning groups can assess whether they had been infiltrated, and to what level.<ref>''Indymedia UK'' [http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2011/02/474116.htmlSpying company, Vericola Ltd, uncovered after incompetence] 14/02/11, accessed 25/02/11</ref>
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*[[Anthony Ainsworth]] is Sales Director of E.ON UK. He joined the company in February 2012 from Avis UK.
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*[[Sara Vaughan]] is Director of Strategy & Regulation at [[E.ON UK]]. A lawyer by background, she joined Powergen (as it then was) from [[Slaughter and May]] in 1997.
  
==PR and lobbying==
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===2013===
*[[Lexington Communications]] - listed E.On UK as a public affairs client up to Feb 2012 <ref>Association of Professional Political Consultants: [http://www.appc.org.uk/registers/APPC_register_Dec04-May05.pdf Register Entry, 1 Dec 2011 - 29 Feb 2012.</ref>
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*[[Ruth Greenwood]], Public Affairs Manager at E.ON UK since June 2011, previously Senior Public Affairs and Communications Officer at E.ON UK (2008-2011); Consultant at [[Lexington Communications]] (2004-08) and also as a Research Assistant at [[Tom Watson]] MP and [[Mark Tami]] MP (2002-03) <ref> [http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/ruth-greenwood/28/1b0/448?trk=pub-pbmap Ruth Greenwood]], Linkedin, acc 23 August 2013 </ref>
* [[Fishburn Hedges]] worked for E.ON in 2005. <ref>Association of Professional Political Consultants: [http://www.appc.org.uk/registers/APPC_register_Dec04-May05.pdf Register of members and clients Dec 04-May 05 (pdf file)] and [http://www.appc.org.uk/registers/APPC_register_June05-Nov05.pdf Register of members and clients June-Nov 05 (pdf file)].</ref>
 
  
==Who runs E.ON UK?==
+
==Affiliations==
E.ON UK&#39;s website provides a list of its senior executives: <ref>[http://www.eon-uk.com/Content/about/board.aspx?MenuId=57 E.ON UK&#39;s website: &#39;Board&#39;], undated, accessed February, 2006.</ref>
+
* E.ON is a member of the [[UK Business Council for Sustainable Energy]] and the [[Associate Parliamentary Renewable and Sustainable Energy Group]] <ref> [http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmallparty/register/memi485.htm House of Commons - Register of All-Party Groups], accessed July 2010 </ref>
  
* Dr. [[Wulf H. Bernotat]], chairman - previously worked for [[Shell]]
+
==External resources==
* [[Paul Golby]], chief executive - also a non executive director of AEA Technology (which was formed from the commercial arm of the [[United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority]]) and a fellow of the [[Institution of Electrical Engineers]].
+
*Utility Week, [http://www.utilityweek.co.uk/news/news_story.asp?id=198894&title=Eon+denies+role+in+John+Hayes%27+exit+from+energy+minister+post Eon denies role in John Hayes' exit from energy minister post], 15 July 2013
* [[Graham Bartlett]], chief financial officer - previously worked for Transco, British Gas, Cable & Wireless, BT and Kentucky Fried Chicken.
+
*SourceWatch page on E.ON activities in the USA [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=EON E.ON]
* [[Nick Horler]], managing director - spent 12 years in the oil industry
 
* [[Tony Cocker]], managing director of Energy Wholesale - previously worked for Bass plc and for the LEK Partnership.
 
* [[Bob Taylor]], managing director of Distribution (Central Networks) - worked in the energy industry since 1985
 
* [[Jarri Sandström]], human resources director - formerly worked for Vickers Marine Division and Nestle.
 
* [[Erhard Schipporeit]] - on Eon AG&#39;s Board
 
* [[Burckhard Bergmann]] - on Eon AG&#39;s Board, previous nuclear industry experience
 
* [[Fiona Stark]], company secretary - lawyer
 
  
 
==Notes==
 
==Notes==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
==Resources==
 
 
For further information, see relevant SourceWatch page [http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=EON E.ON]
 
  
 
[[Category:Civil nuclear industry]]
 
[[Category:Civil nuclear industry]]
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[[Category:Climate: Energy Industry]]
 
[[Category:Climate: Energy Industry]]
 
[[Category:Climate Change]]
 
[[Category:Climate Change]]
 +
[[Category:Corporate Espionage]]

Latest revision as of 23:40, 23 February 2014

Global warming.jpg This article is part of the Climate project of Spinwatch.

Background

E.ON is an international energy company, headquartered in Germany, with interests in Europe, Russia and the US. [1] It operates nuclear power stations in Germany and Sweden.[2]

It also owns a part-share in Urenco, a British-Dutch-German owned nuclear fuel company operating several uranium enrichment plants in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the US.

E.ON UK is the second largest electricity generator in the UK, and a leading energy supplier with around eight million electricity and gas customer accounts. Through its retail business, E.ON Energy Solutions, it supplies energy to homes as well as small-medium-enterprises and industrial customers across the country. [3]

E.ON UK operates 10 coal, gas and oil-fired power stations which generate around 10 per cent of the UK's electricity. It also operates up to 20 wind farms, an extensive biomass co-firing programme and one of the UK’s largest dedicated biomass power stations. It is building the world’s largest offshore wind farm, the London Array in the Thames Estuary. It also has 13 large-scale Combined Heat and Power plants across the UK. [4]

E.ON's nuclear power stations

Nuclear spin.png This article is part of the Nuclear Spin project of Spinwatch.

Germany

Two of E.ON’s nuclear power stations in Germany were closed down in March 2011 following the Fukushima accident in Japan. These were Unterweser [5] and Isar-1. [6] Two other stations, Wuergassen and Stade, had previously been withdrawn from service for commercial reasons in 1994 [7] and November 2003 respectively. [8]

This leaves E.ON with operational responsibility for four German nuclear reactors. According to Germany's nuclear phase-out these must be withdrawn from service by 31 December of the year indicated: Grafenrheinfeld (2015), Brokdorf (2021), Grohnde (2021), Isar 2 (2022). [9]

E.ON owns 100 per cent of Unterweser, Isar-1 and Grafenrfeinfeld, 80 per cent of Brockdorf (Vattenfall owns 20 per cent) [10]; 83.3 per cent of Grohnde (Stadtwerke Bielefeld owns 16.7 per cent) [11] and 75 per cent of Isar-2 (25% owned by Stadtwerke München). [12]

In addition, E.ON has equity in the following nuclear plants: Kruemmel 50 per cent (shutdown); Brunsbuettel 33.3 per cent (shutdown); Gundremmingen B& C 25 per cent (closing 2012 and 2012); Emsland 12.5 per cent (closing 2022). [13]

Sweden

E.ON operates and has a majority stake (54.5 per cent) in OKG, which has three reactors at Oskarshamn, 29.6 per cent of the Ringhals nuclear power plant which has four reactors, and 8.5 per cent of the Forsmark nuclear plant, which has three reactors. [14]

Finland

In June 2007, E.ON joined a consortium of 70 industrial and energy companies to establish a joint venture company – Fennovoima Oy – to construct a new nuclear power plant in Finland. In January 2009, Fennovoima submitted its application to the government for a decision-in-principle, which was granted in May 2010. In October 2011 the company chose a site on the Hanhikivi peninsula on the coast of Bothnian Bay. E.ON is the lead member of the consortium with a 34 per cent share. The Hanhikivi 1 plant would be an EPR or Toshiba's version of the Advanced Boiling Water Reactor (ABWR). Work had been expected to start in 2012, but has now been delayed two years to 2014. [15]

United Kingdom

In January 2009 E.ON UK formed a joint venture with RWE npower, called Horizon Nuclear Power, with the aim of developing up to 6600 MW of new nuclear power station capacity at Wylfa on Anglesey and Oldbury in Gloucestershire. [16] Three years later, following the conclusion of separate strategic reviews in March 2012, both E.ON and RWE announced their intention to withdraw from UK nuclear and seek new owners for Horizon. [17]

In July 2012 it emerged that E.ON had colluded with government officials to soften the impact of their withdrawal from Horizon on the UK’s new nuclear programme. [18]

'Environmentally friendly’ nuclear power

When E.ON announced the RWE joint venture, group chief executive Dr Wulf Bernotat described nuclear power “as a carbon dioxide free energy resource” and “one of the most efficient ways to produce energy while protecting the climate from CO2 ... a reliable and low carbon source of electricity.” [19]

So, in common with other energy companies, E.ON has repositioned nuclear as a green form of power.

Coal and carbon capture and storage in the UK

In December 2006, E.ON submitted a planning application to build the UK’s first coal-fired power station for 20 years at Kingsnorth in Kent. [20] After two years of protests against its plans, it quietly announced on its website on 7 October 2009 that it was shelving the project, blaming a dramatic fall in energy demand which it said made Kingsnorth redundant. It said it would reconsider in two or three years and could go ahead if energy prices recovered. [21]

A year later the company said it was pulling Kingsnorth out of the government's carbon capture and storage competition, because it could not meet competition timescales. Dr Paul Golby, chief executive of E.ON UK said because they had postponed building the new power station it would have no plant on which to build a carbon capture and storage facility.[22]

On 23rd August 2012, E.ON declared that it would not build any more coal or gas-fired plant in Western Europe until at least 2020. [23]

Dictating government guidelines on Kingsnorth

In April 2009 leaked emails revealed that E.ON was dictating government guidelines on the need for carbon capture and storage (CCS) on the proposed new coal plant at Kingsnorth. The emails showed a civil servant from the Department of Business writing to E.ON asking whether they should include a condition that CCS would be in place. E.ON responded that the secretary of state "has no right to withhold approval for conventional plant" and the civil servant (Gary Mohammed) agreed immediately that he would not include CCS as a condition. [24]

Given police intelligence on climate protesters

In the same month it was also revealed that police intelligence on Climate Camp protesters at Kingsnorth, including their names and whereabouts, was passed to E.ON by government officials. This led to claims that policing was partisan, colluding with the energy companies to quash protest. The freedom of information (FOI) request by the Liberal Democrats also showed that the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) had shared strategy and planning documents with E.ON, and attempted to coordinate their media strategies before the demo. Many sections of the FOI response, which was initially refused but released on appeal, were blacked out.[25]

E.ON was accused of exaggerating claims in the media about the potential threat posed by climate protests. It claimed that 300,000 homes could be affected if the demo entered the power station, when in fact operations had already been stopped by E.ON and power was available from the rest of the grid.[26]

Spying on environmental activists

E.ON was also caught out hiring private security firm, Vericola, to spy on environmental activists. According to the Guardian:

E.ON said it had hired Vericola and another security firm, Global Open, on an "ad hoc" basis as its executives wanted to know when environmentalists were going to demonstrate at or invade its power stations and other premises, as they had done in the past. The E.ON spokesman said it asked Vericola only for publicly available information and if Todd (CEO of Vericola) and her colleagues had obtained private information, they had done so "under their own steam".

Two other energy companies which had used Vericola's services, SRG and Scottish Power, did not comment. [27]

PR and lobbying

  • Edelman - Chris Rumfitt, MD of Edelman's public affairs practice has 'advised E.ON on high profile issues around nuclear new build'.[28]
  • Lexington Communications - lists E.On UK as a public affairs client from December 2011 to May 2012 [29][30]
  • PPS Group- lists E.ON Rampion (windpower) as a public affairs client from December 2011 to May 2012 [31]
  • Cherton Enterprise - lists E.ON’s Energy from Waste division as a client from March to May 2012 [32]
  • Fishburn Hedges worked for E.ON in 2005. [33]
  • Ecuity Consulting - lists E.ON as a client – this will be in connection to their membership of the Micropower Council and promotion of Micro-CHP and small-scale renewables. [34]

E.ON’s teaching packs for schools

E.ON is engaged in “a major new programme” to produce and promote teaching packs for schools. Designed to support the geography and science curricula for young people aged 5-16 in England, Scotland and Wales, the E.ON Energy Experience, according to the website “doesn't tell young people about energy, it allows them to experience it”. [35] One activity encourages children to debate the motion: ‘Our class believes that nuclear is the right choice to meet the UK’s energy needs in the 21st century.’ Teachers can download an ‘activity card’[36] to help them plan a lesson on the nuclear power debate. While the teaching pack website[37] has broken links to Greenpeace and the World Nuclear Association it also points students towards coverage of the Chernobyl disaster.

Who runs E.ON UK?

E.ON UK's website provides a list of its senior executives: [38]

  • Tony Cocker, Chief Executive. He started working for E.ON (then Powergen) in 1997 previously worked for Bass plc and for the LEK Partnership.
  • Don Leiper is Director of New Business for E.ON Energy Solutions. He first joined the energy industry with East Midlands Electricity (later becoming part of Powergen) in 1992 after previously qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and working for a London-based accountancy firm.
  • Jeremy Davies is Marketing Director of E.ON Energy Solutions. He previously worked for Abbey.
  • David Bird is Customer Service Director for E.ON UK. He joined the company in July 2009. Prior to his role with E.ON, David spent five years as Customer Service Director at National Express.
  • Fiona Stark is Director of Corporate Affairs. She joined the company in 1989.

2013

Affiliations

External resources

Notes

  1. E.ON website: 'Who we are: An overview', undated, accessed August, 2012.
  2. E.ON Annual Report 2011, See page 133, para 2, accessed July, 2012. See also E.ON website: 'Nuclear Power in the Energy Mix', undated, accessed July, 2012.
  3. E.ON website: 'Regional Units: United Kingdom, undated, accessed August 2012
  4. E.ON UK website: 'Generation', undated, accessed August 2012
  5. E.ON website: 'Kernkraftwerk Unterweser', undated, accessed August 2012
  6. E.ON website: 'Kernkraftwerk Isar', undated, E.ON website accessed August 2012.
  7. E.ON website: 'Kernkraftwerk Wuergassen', undated, accessed August 2012
  8. E.ON website: 'Kernkraftwerk Stade', undated accessed August 2012
  9. E.ON website: 'Current Information undated, E.ON website accessed August 2012
  10. Nuclear Power in Germany, World Nuclear Association, July 2012, accessed August 2012.
  11. E.ON website: 'Gemeinschaftskernkraftwerk Grohnde', undated, accessed August 2012.
  12. E.ON website: Kernkraftwerk Isar, undated, accessed August 2012.
  13. Nuclear Power in Germany, World Nuclear Association, July 2012, accessed August 2012.
  14. 'Nuclear Power in Sweden', World Nuclear Association, June 2012, accessed August 2012. Also see E.ON Fact and Figures, March 2012, E.ON website, accessed August 2012. See page 7.
  15. Nuclear Power in Finland, World Nuclear Association, April 2012, accessed August 2012.
  16. Horizon Nuclear Power website, undated, accessed August 2012.
  17. E.ON Press Release 29 March 2012
  18. Rob Edwards, Emails reveal UK Government's moves to protect nuclear power from bad news, Guardian, 19th July 2012, accessed July 2012
  19. E.ON Press Release 14 January 2009.
  20. E.ON Press Release, 11th December 2006.
  21. Webb,T and Jha, A Siege of Kingsnorth declared over as E.ON pulls out of plan for coal power plant, Guardian, 8 October 2009.
  22. E.ON Press Release 20 October 2010.
  23. E.ON drops gas/coal plant building in W.Europe-company Reuters 23rd August 2012, accessed 3rd September 2012.
  24. George Monbiot, Allies against democracy The Guardian, Comment is Free. 20 April, 2009. Accessed 13/05/10
  25. Matthew Taylor and Paul Lewis Secret police intelligence was given to E.ON before planned demo The Guardian, Comment is Free. 20th April, 2009. Accessed 13/05/10
  26. George Monbiot Allies against democracy The Guardian, Comment is Free. 20 April, 2009. Accessed 13/05/10
  27. Rob Evans and Paul Lewis, Revealed: how energy firms spy on environmental activists The Guardian, 14 February 2011.
  28. Chris Rumfitt, Edelman website, undated, acc 10 September 2013
  29. Association of Professional Political Consultants: Register Entry, 1 Mar 2012 - 31st May 2012 accessed August 2012.
  30. Association of Professional Political Consultants, Register Entry, 1 Dec 2011 - 29 Feb 2012
  31. Association of Professional Political Consultants Register Entry for 1 March 2012 to 31 May 2012, accessed August 2012, APPC Register 1 Dec 2011 - 29 Feb 2012, accessed June 2012
  32. Association of Professional Political Consultants Register Entry for 1 March 2012 to 31 May 2012, accessed August 2012.
  33. Association of Professional Political Consultants: Register of members and clients Dec 04-May 05 (pdf file) (no longer online) and Register of members and clients June-Nov 05 (pdf file)(no longer online).
  34. Association of Professional Political Consultants Register Entry for 1 March 2012 to 31 May 2012, accessed August 2012.
  35. E.ON Energy Experience, undated, accessed July 2012.
  36. Eon website, undated, accessed August 2012.
  37. Eon website: Energy World: Notes on a Nuclear Future, undated, accessed August 2012.
  38. E.ON UK website, 'Board' accessed July 2012.
  39. Ruth Greenwood], Linkedin, acc 23 August 2013
  40. House of Commons - Register of All-Party Groups, accessed July 2010