 Biden heads west to talk environment, economy ahead of midterms Washington (AFP) Oct 12, 2022 - US President Joe Biden traveled to Colorado Wednesday at the start of a three-state swing through the American West to promote his record with less than a month to go before the crucial midterm elections. Biden's first stop was at Camp Hale, a former US Army World War II training ground in the Rocky Mountains. Sporting his signature aviator sunglasses, he designated the site as a national monument in honor of its military history, the local Native American community and the area's natural beauty. Protection of the site, where the 10th Mountain Division trained for conditions in the mountains of Italy, has been a long-standing goal of Democratic Party leaders in the state. The move, which raises hope for significant tourism benefits, fulfills a request by Democratic Colorado Senator Michael Bennet, who is seeking reelection in November -- a vital seat for the Democrats' hopes of retaining control of the Senate. "He came to the White House and he said, 'I told you what I need.' And I said I'll do it. You know why? I was worried he'd never leave the damn White House," Biden joked during the ceremony. "In my first year in office, I have protected more lands and waters than any American presidents since John (Fitzgerald) Kennedy" in the 1960s, Biden said, accusing his predecessor Donald Trump of having "rolled back protections." "We're investing billions of dollars to protect our iconic outdoors, preserve our historic sites, and addressing the devastating effects of climate change," he added. Some of those funds, linked to a broad program of environmental investments and social spending passed by Congress this summer, will be used to address the region's drought problems. - Campaign ramping up - A month before the midterms, Biden is increasing his travels to promote his record in office, hoping it will boost his party's chances. After Colorado, the president will head to California and Oregon to push his cost of living and infrastructure reforms. The 79-year-old Democrat will also take part in fundraising efforts, a vital part of US politics. A Democratic Party spokesperson recently said that "thanks in a large part to engagement from President Biden," the party has raised $107 million so far in 2022, a record for this point in the year. Since January, Biden has participated in 12 fundraising events. US political commentators have, however, pointed out that this tour will not take the president to Arizona and Nevada, the two western states that promise to be key Senate battlegrounds.
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Britain will introduce a cap on the revenues of companies that produce low-carbon electricity in an attempt to mitigate the impact of soaring energy prices on consumers.
The temporary cap on energy companies that produce electricity from renewables and nuclear is being introduced in England and Wales, the government said in a statement late Tuesday.
The measure "will reduce the impact of unprecedented wholesale prices on consumers and the taxpayer by introducing a revenue limit, curbing the amount generators can make", the government said.
The main opposition Labour party called the measure a "windfall tax", which business minister Jacob Rees-Mogg denied.
He told the BBC that, after intervening on retail energy prices, the British government was now acting on wholesale prices.
"This is simply mischaracterising what's being done, and misunderstands how the market works," he said.
"What this is doing is rationalising the market in a way that energy companies have been in favour," he added.
"It's clearly not a tax. It's nothing to do with the profits these companies are making."
Liz Truss successfully campaigned to become prime minister by saying she was opposed to the idea of a tax on the profits of energy giants.
The previous government of Boris Johnson introduced a one-off tax on the profits of oil and gas companies, but this could largely be offset by investment in hydrocarbon production.
- 'Double standard' -
Before the introduction of recent energy subsidies, "businesses and consumers had been left facing increasing financial turmoil, with energy bills estimated to increase to as high as 6,500 pounds before the government stepped in," the government said.
Truss last month introduced a two-year cap on energy bills for domestic consumers at 2,500 pounds ($2,770) a year per average household.
Businesses will have around half their bills covered for six months.
The UK is particularly reliant on gas for its electricity, the price of which has soared since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24.
Shell boss Ben van Beurden last week told an energy conference that in light of soaring energy prices and resulting inflation, governments should be imposing more taxes on companies in the sector.
Dhara Vyas, policy director at industry lobbyists Energy UK, warned that the new revenue cap mechanism, the details of which are yet to be worked out, must not "risk the very investment the UK needs to ensure long-term, sustainable economic growth".
Dan McGrail, chief executive of renewable energy organisation RenewableUK, added that the move risked "skewing investment towards the fossil fuels that have caused this energy crisis".
Environmental NGO Greenpeace UK accused the government of a "glaring double standard".
"Was it just a dream or did we all hear the prime minister say, just weeks ago, she was against a windfall tax?," said policy director Doug Parr.
"Now she's going to impose a de facto one after all but only on electricity generators, not a proper one on oil and gas firms. This glaring double standard makes no sense."
Related Links
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