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Community It's a wind up In the week that Donald Trump pulled America out of the Paris Accord on climate change, Chinese turbine manufacturer Goldwind offered free training to ex-miners in Wyoming to teach them how to become windfarm technicians. Wyoming has long resisted the rise of renewable energy. In fact, it is the only US state that levies taxes on wind genera- tion, despite the billions of dol- lars of federal subsidy available for it. Despite this, a windfarm with hundreds of Goldwind turbines is currently being built; hence the company's offer to train former miners. Trump, of course, famously declared that climate change was a wheeze thought up by the Chinese to damage the US economy. He also has a per- sonal loathing of windfarms, so there is a beautiful symmetry about the Chinese largesse. Indian summer Trump may have got elected on a promise to bring back coal jobs, but the truth is that such a mission is both impos- sible and pointless. Many US states and cities have promised to stick to a climate change agenda, whether or not the US is a signatory to the Paris Accord, and coal is in decline. Disconnector was surprised to learn this week that even India is turning its back on coal. That populous country is oen held up as one of the worst offenders when it comes to air pollution, since it is desperate to industrialise but pleads poverty when it comes to environmental niceties. But this year to date, India has cancelled the construction of 14GW of coal plant (not far off the UK's total generation capacity), and the reason is plummeting solar prices. India hit the headlines in January 2016 when Finnish company Fortum agreed to gen- erate electricity in Rajasthan for a record low price of 4.34 rupees (about 5p) per kilowatt- hour. At the time, the price was considered an aberration, but 16 months later, an auction for a 500MV solar facility resulted in a tariff of just 2.44 rupees – compared with a wholesale price charged by a major coal power utility of 3.2 rupees. In India the talk is not of building new coal plants, but of what to do with possibly bil- lions of pounds' worth of assets tied up in existing plants that are no longer economic to run. Don't drink the water The general election has seen a return of two-party politics with a vengeance. Ukip seems to have spontaneously com- busted, while the Lib Dems' much-anticipated surge as the party of the 48 per cent who voted Remain looks to be a pipe-dream. The Lib Dems' big problem is credibility. At a national level, a manifesto commitment to legalise cannabis probably doesn't help. And at a local level, they're not helped by candidates such as Susan King, who is contesting Telford. In a webchat with the Shropshire Star she sought to ward off criticism of leader Tim Farron's reluctance to declare that gay sex was not a sin by volunteering that "feminising chemicals" in the water supply were having an effect on people's sexuality. "I do feel environmental influences are affecting reproduction. All the pollution is having an effect on our DNA and our population is changing and evolving," she burbled. "I've done a lot of research connected with water quality, and that is where I gained my political and media experience." Ms King has volunteered to move to Telford from Leicestershire should she win, though given that the Lib Dems came fih last time around, that has got to be long shot. On the plus side, at least she's made her mark on the campaign, eh Tim? Disconnector Editor, Utility Week, and content director, Utilities: Ellen Bennett, t: 01342 332084, e: ellenbennett@fav-house.com; Deputy editor: Jane Gray, t: 01342 332087, e: janegray@ fav-house.com; Insights editor: Mathew Beech, t: 01342 332082, e: mathewbeech@fav-house. com; Features editor: Lois Vallely, t: 01342 332080, e: loisvallely@fav-house.com; Senior reporter: Tom Grimwood, t: 01342 332061, e: tomgrimwood@fav-house.com; Reporter: Josh Downes, t: 01342 332102, e: joshdownes@fav-house.com; Policy correspondent: David Blackman, e: davidblackman@fav-house.com; Business development manager: Kevin Pearce, t: 01342 332116, e; kevinpearce@fav-house.com; Business development executive: Nigel Searle, t: 01342 332009, e: nigelsearle@fav-house.com; Conference sponsorship manager: Sophie Abbott, t: 01342 332062, e; sophieabbott@fav-house.com; Publisher: Amanda Barnes, e: amandabarnes@fav-house.com. General enquiries: 01342 332000; Membership enquiries: Peter Bissell, t: 01342 332057, e: peterbissell@fav-house.com. ISSN: 1356-5532. Registered as a newspaper at the Post Office. Printed by: Buxton Press, 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 £669 per year. Overseas £781 per year. Contact Peter Bissell on: 01342 332057 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 Nick Mabey @Mabeytweet U.K. happy to say «disappointed» by Trump withdrawal but not to join core allies saying «deeply disappointed»? Bad diplomacy. @NickHurdUK Elon Musk @elonmusk Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world. Tim Rotheray @trotheray I'm convinced decision will harm US economy + competitiveness. GHGs will be reason to reject products and services in future #ParisAgreement Mayor of London @MayorofLondon Climate change remains one the biggest risks to humanity. Now more than ever world leaders must recognise and act on this threat. Paul Massara @paulmassara Syria, Nicaragua and USA – what do they have in common? Only countries to pull out of the Paris Agreement. Madalsa Singh @MadalsaS Hello. Nicaragua withdrew from Paris Summit because it didn't think it was ambitious enough. They are on their way to 90% renewable by 2020 Ana Navarro @ananavarro Nicaraguan businessman friend: "A group of us will ask Ortega to sign Paris Accord. Being in same group w/Trump is so damn embarrassing." Brian Deese @BrianCDeese Paris entered into force 11/4/16. Earliest Trump can complete exit = 11/4/20 I.E. THE DAY AFTER THE '20 ELECTION. Paris will be on the ballot Shaun Richards @notayesmansecon Dear UK Met Office is London still in a drought please? Asking for a friend... Top Tweets UTILITY WEEK | 9TH - 15TH JUNE 2017 | 31