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Utility Week 30th September 2016

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UTILITY WEEK | 30TH SEPTEMBER - 6TH OCTOBER 2016 | 31 Community We're living in strange times So, it's official. Jeremy Corbyn is still the leader of the Labour Party. And what's more he got an even bigger share of the vote than last time, which means he has even more mandate than ever. "Mandate" to a Labour politician is the same as "land" to an aristocrat. It's the only currency that impresses your mates. Of course, how much of a mandate the rest of the country will hand Corbyn come the next general election is the big question, albeit a question that most pundits think they know the answer to. As regular readers of this column will know, Disconnec- tor is studiously neutral when it comes to politics and so the great man is not going to be drawn on whether Corbyn is a liability or an asset when it comes to the great, fair-minded British public. There was a time when being branded a pacifist socialist communist- sympathiser was considered bad for business, but we're living in strange times. So who knows? There's a big part of Discon- nector that would like to see Corbyn shuffling into power at Number 10, if only to see the expression on the face of president Trump… Green invasion It would be alarming at the best of times, but in these strange times the residents of Bluffdale in Utah can be forgiven for thinking they were living in a low budget sci-fi movie when a luminous green blob started emerging from the drains. The road was quickly closed off and Salt Lake County Health Department officials called out to investigate. Initially, resi- dents were concerned that the foaming might be the result of some sort of toxic algae (those that weren't plumping for alien invasion, that is) but the most likely working hypothesis is that it was the result of moss cleaning taking place in the Welby Jacobs Canal, to which the storm drain is connected. Probably just as well they found out before Trump called for a pre-emptive nuclear strike, just to be on the safe side. Modern architecture? You mean toilet Turns out the Red Oligarchs of modern-day China have something more in common with Prince Charles than vast inherited wealth – a loathing of modern architecture. Admit- tedly, Prince Charles seems to hate the lot, while the Chinese authorities are targeting their ire at the ridiculous, but still. Back in February, the Chinese central government demanded an end to all main- land construction of buildings that are "oversized", "xeno- centric" or "weird" and a move towards architecture that is "pleasing to the eye". Fast forward to now, and a 12-storey toilet has been built in Henan province. It will be home to the North China University of Water Conservancy and Electric Power, so it's possible the shape is a nod to its specialism, but more likely it's an over- sight. The building has a bowl, a cistern and even a blue roof that doubles for toilet water. The government's call came aer people drew comparisons between the new design for Beijing airport and a vagina, and the Beijing People's Daily headquarters and a penis. 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: Nigel Searle, t: 01342 332009, e: nigelsearle@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 Utility Week is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK's magazine and newspaper industry). We abide by the Editors' Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint please contact the editor, Ellen Bennett, at ellenbennett@fav-house.com. If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors' Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit www.ipso.co.uk Tom Greatrex @tomjgreatrex Last time was here, Fulham were 4-0 up at htime. Sure to be *almost* as enjoyable speaking at @NuclearSW conf today Laura Barker @laurabarkeruk We need much more energy efficiency, I can't stand fuel poverty, having to huddle around an inefficient fire William Marchant @richonlyinname I think we should all start calling it the Department for Business, Enterprise and the Other Thing. Nick Norton @OnlyForKoolKids What matters is scientific evidence that proves human activity is causing #climatechange, not what Donald 'Hairspray' Trump believes. Bruce Loxton @kimberleykowboy Black squares save you money. These squares are specially made high efficiency solar cells. Add up to 3 arrays... Hunt Hot Deals @HuntHotDeals Money Saving Tip: Only fill a kettle with the amount of water you need so it boils faster and uses less electricity Distgen Wind Power @distgen To say the outcome of the US presidential election could have Earth-shattering implica- tions may not be too much… Jessica Lennard @JessicaLennard #lab16 is officially the weirdest conference ever. Almost no MPs, few fringes and few speeches. People basically just drinking from 11am. Friends of the Earth @foeeurope Battle for energy future fought on our roofs says Dirk @REScoopEU - #CommunityPower not corporate power must drive #FossilFree future Top Tweets

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