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4 | 13TH - 19TH MAY 2016 | UTILITY WEEK Farming trial cuts pesticide levels The UK's largest metaldehyde-free farming trial, led by Anglian Water, has seen a significant reduc- tion in levels of the chemical detected in reser- voir tributaries in its first year. 60% Amount by which levels of metalde- hyde fell. 26% Amount by which average peak levels detected within the reservoirs fell. 89 Number of farm- ers who took part in the trial. 7,679 Hectares covered by the trial. 1,613kg Amount of metal- dehyde removed from the farmed landscape. STORY BY NUMBERS Ofgem urges energy suppliers to 'grow up' Seven days... T he energy regulator has told suppliers to "grow up" and warned that they have "one more shot" to make competition work, amid the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA's) investigation into the market. Speaking at the launch of the Edelman energy trust barometer, Ofgem's chief executive Dermot Nolan called on suppliers to gain consumer trust before a new approach of fixed prices or government intervention was taken. "Energy companies may complain about over-regulation, but I think a swi look in the mirror may be of some benefit to them," he said. "Energy companies have a responsibility to make competi- tion work and it is also in their interest. I think we probably only have one more shot at this. I strongly hope we don't have to resort to more price regulation in the future… But energy sup- pliers over the next few years are going to have to earn that trust and I would say to them, now is their chance." Nolan added that he had no desire to apply further regula- tion to the market "for suppliers to find another loophole in a never-ending game of cat and mouse", but insisted the regula- tor would be relying more on principles. "This will put an onus on suppliers to end the box-ticking culture and instead… expect suppliers to grow up." The two-year probe by the CMA into the energy market identified a lack of competition and consumer engagement as key problems. Its final remedies are due to be published next month. SJ National media Germany to exit coal power before 2050 Coal-fired power production in Ger- many should come to an end "well before 2050", according to a dra environment ministry document on how Europe's biggest economy can achieve its climate goals. Calls have grown for Berlin to set out a timetable to withdraw from coal in power production, aer global leaders clinched a climate-protection deal in Paris last December to transform the world's fossil-fuel driven economy. The government is due to decide on a national climate action plan for 2050 by mid-2016, laying out how it plans to move away from fossil fuels and cut emissions by up to 95 per cent on 1990 levels by the middle of the century. Reuters, 3 May Oz coalition earmarks $2bn for water sector A $2 billion water infrastructure loan facility is the centrepiece of the Australian coalition govern- ment's regional policy, to provide concessional loans to the states and territories for projects. The deputy prime minister and agriculture minister, Barnaby Joyce, said the loans were available from 2016 for ten years and were designed to provide a financial incentive to state governments to invest in water infrastructure such as dams and pipelines. The Guardian, 3 May 'Ban nuclear seminar at green conference' Campaigners have called for a ban on a seminar on nuclear energy at a conference on green energy in Glasgow because it is "unsuitable". Campaigners are fighting to have a session removed, saying that it should not have a place at a confer- ence on renewable and sustainable energy. Herald Scotland, 4 May "Little more than a boondoggle project for Thames Water" The Thames Blue Green Economy Group slams the Thames Tideway Tunnel as an "outdated and expensive folly" and calls for a review. See p15 £1.1m Welsh Water will invest £1.1m to upgrade its water network in Holyhead, replacing more than 4km of water mains.