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4 | 30th January - 5th February 2015 | utILIty WeeK National media Sewer- blockers cause problems for Southern Water More than 6,000 tonnes of sewer- blockers such as wet wipes were found in Southern Water's sewer network between april and november 2014, causing flooding and pollution. 2,155 tonnes of sewer- blockers cleared from wastewater treatment works in Kent 2,018 tonnes cleared in Sussex 1,853 tonnes cleared in hampshire 165 tonnes cleared on the Isle of Wight Deal to limit US nuclear disaster liability US industrial interests took centre- stage at the start of Barack Obama's visit to India as he and the prime minister, Narendra Modi, outlined a deal to limit the legal liability of US suppliers in the event of a nuclear power plant catastrophe. Thirty years aer a chemical leak killed thousands at Union Carbide's factory in Bhopal, the threat of tough Indian compensation laws has frustrated US hopes of an export boom in the energy sector – despite an agreement by former US president George W Bush to share civil nuclear technology in 2005. The Guardian, 25 January Bills could drop €400 if savings are passed on Irish consumers could benefit by more than €400 a year if energy companies passed on dramatic falls in oil and gas prices on international markets over the past 12 months. A report by Irish gas and electric- ity supplier Vayu Energy shows that consistently strong supplies and re- duced demand across Europe have caused the republic's wholesale gas prices to fall 30 per cent year on year, while an 8 per cent fall has been recorded since the start of the year alone. The Irish Times, 26 January Brazil's worst drought prompts protests The taps have run dry and the lights have gone out across swathes of Brazil this week as the worst drought in history spreads from São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro and beyond. More than four million people have been affected by rationing and rolling power cuts. Protesters have taken to the streets, coffee crops have been hit and businesses have been forced to close. The Guardian, 23 January Story by NUMbErS T he chief executive of Ofgem has said there is a "strong case" to create an independent system operator (ISO) to replace National Grid in operating the energy transmis- sion network. Giving evidence to the Energy and Climate Change select committee, Dermot Nolan said Ofgem is working with the Department of Energy and Climate Change in considering establishing an ISO and break- ing up National Grid's remit as transmission operator and asset holder. He said creating an ISO would "kill the incentives" that may exist for the current transmission and distribution operators in recommending a bigger network, which in turn increases their revenue returns. Nolan stressed there is "no evidence that [National] Grid or any of the transmission compa- nies are engaging in inappropri- ate behaviour", but said creating an ISO would "remove the appearance of any favouritism". He told MPs: "The appear- ance of something is as bad as the actuality of it." Nolan said an ISO would make sure the network develops in the most efficient fashion, "unencumbered by incentives of saying I own this and want to build this myself ". He did admit there are prob- lems with an ISO – "it is difficult to incentivise such entities" – but added, "I see a strong case for it." Nolan also stated that Ofgem is working with the government on the potential to include inter- connectors in the next capacity market auction. MB 'Strong case' for ISO to replace Grid, says Ofgem "This hopelessly misguided report completely fails to recognise that by refusing to extract our own gas by fracking, the only results will be that the UK imports more gas" Dan Lewis, senior infrastructure adviser at the Institute of Directors Seven days...