Tom Steward

Energy policy bod at RWE. Previously @GoodEnergy. Environmentalist, Feminist, Dad, Bicyclist, & Tea-Drinker. All views are my own.

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

Hi @GWRHelp - I don't *know* that your policy making it practically impossible to travel with a pram & children & the things children need is why theres a frost-covered pram locked up on the platform, but it feels plausible. Hope it's warmed up & dried before they come back!

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

Lots of talk about @UKLabour's proposals for 1.5 million new homes. Anyone heard if they're going to be zero carbon? Essential all new homes are cheap to heat and fit for the future.

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

For someone who is going to "do politics differently" there's a lot of mudslinging... 🤔

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

As always - @ELPinchbeck has got it spot on.

[Policy Exchange @Policy_Exchange]

📺 @ELPinchbeck: “The most exciting thing in energy policy over the last 10 years was announced in the Prime Minister's speech which is strategic planning for the National Grid” #CPC23

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

This is tremendous

[Barnaby Wharton @BarnabyCBW]

So, today Civitas has published a great new report, publishing the "realisistic" costs of Net Zero. Apparently, it’s a whopping £4.5 trillion, or £6,000/home/year.

Wow. However, how do these numbers stack up?

(tl;dr: no. but stick around for the 🧵, because it's fun). 1/12

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

Shout out to all those whose kids start school this week. No matter how you or they are feeling right now, you're not alone.

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

(expect a similar tweet in a few years when our daughter starts school too!)

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

After doing Shared Parental Leave I went down to four days a week at work to spend time with our son. He starts school on Monday, and I can't believe how much I'd have missed out on over the last four years if I'd been full time.

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

I'm aware of how privileged I am to have been able to do this - not everyone can. But if you could make it work, I can't recommend it enough. Of course kids aren't always easy, but I wouldn't trade a single minute of it.

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

@DamianClough2 Whole section on precisely this in Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez. Strongly recommend it if you haven't read it.

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

It's 2023. In the country with the sixth largest economy, this winter millions of people will once again be choosing between feeding their children, and keeping them warm. Words fail me.

[Anne Pardoe @AnneEPardoe]

Today @citizensadvice is issuing a red alert. Millions are facing a winter even worse than last winter unless the Govt acts.
The number of people coming to us for help with energy debt, and the amount they owe is rising, and we think it will get even worse. Here's why: 🧵(1/4)

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

I totally understand every £ needs to be spent wisely, but surely never creating any stranded grid assets ever is a symptom of an overly-cautious approach to grid development? (Particularly given what we know about the forthcoming growth of electricity demand!)

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

As @BBCNews leads with a story of record breaking sea temperatures, never before has the Winser review been more important or timely. Net Zero requires a colossal rewiring of the country, and fast! Clean energy production is nothing without a grid to plug it into.

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

Super clear explanation of the merits of more oil and gas extraction in the UK.

[Channel 4 News @Channel4News]

Does the UK need more North Sea oil and gas extraction?

@C4Ciaran digs deeper into Rishi Sunak’s decision to grant new North Sea oil and gas licences.

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

@adamvaughan_uk @thetimes Wiltshire recently stopped recycling fabric at the curb side, and instead collect small electrical items containing batteries.

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

I invite anyone who's not convinced about the need to electrify the economy to have people digging up the road outside their house for a few days. The stench of diesel filling the house and so much engine noise!

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

Why am I an advocate for Dads going part time? Today I took the kids to the garden centre, then to visit their great grandmother, then we did some gardening, and had a friend round for coffee.

[Simon Evans @DrSimEvans]

How renewable energy forecasts work, part 194

2013: "Offshore wind will cost £151/MWh in 2030"
2016: "Offshore wind will cost £117/MWh in 2030"
2022: "Offshore wind costs £61/MWh today"

Rinse and repeat

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

Finally got out on my bike for the first time in eleventy billion years today. Active travel is SO much better than the car. Happier, healthier, cheaper, and cleaner.

[Tom Steward @Steward_T]

Statutory paternity leave in the UK is abysmal. New report suggests that if the level was increased, more men would take it. Men taking time off with their kids should be available to all - not just the preserve of the wealthy. https://t.co/aMCcwbhOjX