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UTILITY WEEK | 16TH - 22ND SEPTEMBER 2016 | 31 Community Rivers of blood Across the Western world the people are angry. That's why we voted for Brexit, and why millions of Ameri- cans are going to vote for Donald Trump, and why previously niche extremist parties all over Europe are moving into the limelight. People are sick and tired of slick "elites" and professional politicians whose only qualification for the job is expertise. We'd rather listen to "peo- ple like us", forgetting that we can oen be quick to judge, prejudiced and ill-informed. It's little surprise that we end up with demagogues. So it's probably an apposite time to look around and see if countries run by demagogues really do deliver more power to the people, and Disconnec- tor suspects that most people would agree they do not. Take Vladimir Putin's Rus- sia, for instance. Notwithstand- ing that Trump thinks he's a strong and effective leader who "gets things done", the obvious truth is that he's nothing of the sort – he just represses any critic who claims otherwise. Even so, a steady stream of stories trickles out over social media about what happens when you run a country with- out regard to health, justice or the environment. Take the Daldykan River in Siberia, which is currently bright red. The local authorities described the incident as a "mys- tery" despite the close proximity of the Norilsk industrial cen- tre, and in particular the huge Norilsk Nickel mine upstream. Despite initial denials, the mine last week admitted that "heavy rain" had caused a "spillage". Activists said inves- tigating pollution by Norilsk Nickel plant was almost impos- sible because the company controlled access to the remote Taymyr peninsula where most of it is located. Oil on tap Meanwhile, in the village of Chersky in eastern Russia, residents woke up one morning last week to find oil coming out of their taps instead of water. It turns out a central heating system accident had resulted in three tonnes of oil leaking into the water supply. The oil also made its way into a nearby river and contaminated the soil. Officials have promised to "expunge" all traces of oil from the water supply, and in the meantime have advised villagers to "boil their water" – though Disconnector is at a loss to explain what they think this will do. It should give us all pause for thought. While Brexiters rail against the cost to British industry of Brussels' petty energy and water regulations, it could be worse. Much, much worse. Poles apart Regular readers will know that Disconnector is a long-time fan of all things Japanese. The amount of thought and money they put into creating domestic toilets is legendary, but that's not the only utility service they take way too seriously. They are also searching for the best quality electricity to power their audio equipment, in the belief that variances in frequency can affect the sound you get out of your stereo. While in the UK we have to make do with gold-plated audio leads if we want to impress upon our friends that we have more money than sense, in Japan people can tap directly into the grid with their own pole and transformer, thus guaranteeing a smooth supply. You've got to hand it to the Japanese: they don't do things half-heartedly. Disconnector Editor, Utility Week, and content director, Utilities: Ellen Bennett, t: 01342 332084, e: ellenbennett@fav-house.com; Acting editor: Jane Gray, t: 01342 332087, e: janegray@ fav-house.com; Insights editor: Mathew Beech, t: 01342 332082, e: mathewbeech@fav-house. com; News editor: Lois Vallely, t: 01342 332080, e: loisvallely@fav-house.com; Networks correspondent: Lucinda Dann, t: 01342 332083, e: lucindadann@fav-house.com; Reporters: Saffron Johnson, t: 01342 332050, e: saffronjohnson@fav-house.com and Tom Grimwood, t: 01342 332061, e: tomgrimwood@fav-house.com; Business development manager: Richard Powell, t: 01342 332062, e: richardpowell@fav-house.com; Business development executive: Richard Powell, t: 01342 332062, e: sarahwood@fav-house.com; Publisher: Amanda Barnes, e: amandabarnes@ fav-house.com. General enquiries: 01342 332000; Membership enquiries: Peter Bissell, t: 01342 332507, e: peterbissell@fav-house.com. ISSN: 1356-5532. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office. Printed by: Buxton Press, Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 6AE. Published by: Faversham House Ltd, Windsor Court, Wood Street, East Grinstead, West Sussex RH19 1UZ 3,580 Average circulation Jan–Dec 2015 Membership subscriptions: UK £637 per year. Overseas £749 per year. Contact Peter Bissell on: 01342 332507 Jim Watson @watsonjim2 Interesting Plan D for #CCS from #Oxburgh- CCS2016 today. Govt action needed to see whether it can deliver for £85/MWh Mike Thompson @Mike_Thommo In simple terms on #CCS: we need it, private sector won't deliver it alone, get on with it in cheapest way possible. EUA @energyutilities Decarbonising heat must be affordable, new report from @Policy_Exchange. Heat policy must recognise this @beisgovuk Richard Howard @RichardHowardPX Our analysis of pros and cons of all heat decarbonisation technologies: efficiency and green gas come out top Dane Wilkins @dane_wilkins Who says big isn't #beautiful ? @DONGEnergyUK install largest wind turbine globally at Burbo bank. @Vestas 8MW machines standing 175 tall. Jocelyn Timperley @jloistf Turbine just installed off Liverpool's coast has 80 metre-long blades and a swept area bigger than the London Eye Clive Lewis MP @labourlewis Know you're going to miss your renewable energy targets? Simple: Abolish DECC & ministerial accountability #Tories Ascendancy Water @AscendancyWater If you thought competition starts in Apr you are wrong. The race is on! Ann Robinson @AnnRobinson8 After some moves upwards from small suppliers could see domestic energy prices come down given likely downward trend of wholesale prices. 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