'Coalition battle' over report

A Government report on renewable energy and the rural economy is being blocked by the Energy Secretary, it has been claimed.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey has blocked the report carried out by the Department for the Environment and Rural Affairs over fears it could expose shortcomings in his department's renewable energy strategy, according to the Daily Telegraph.

The newspaper claims that Defra sources have revealed an internal battle of wills between Liberal Democrat Mr Davey and Conservative Environment Secretary Owen Paterson, who is known to be a wind farm sceptic, regarding publication of the report.

The Daily Telegraph writes: "It is claimed that figures in the DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change) are concerned that the report, which has not been completed, could include negative conclusions about how renewable energy affects the rural economy."

The newspaper, which has campaigned against wind farms, adds that the report "could provide official confirmation that the controversial turbines can harm rural areas".

According to the Telegraph's sources, Mr Paterson is "determined" to publish the findings, despite resistance from Mr Davey.

The newspaper adds that Defra sources attacked DECC for allowing their judgement to be clouded by "ideology" rather than scientific evidence.

The source is quoted as saying: "They [DECC] don't want information out there that would allow people to challenge the energy solution that they are going after."

The Telegraph story does not determine whether the report, which has yet to be completed, challenges the idea that wind farms are a green form of energy.