Welcome for Liz Truss: new Minister at DECC

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The Environmental Services Association (ESA) has welcomed the appointment of Liz Truss as Environment Secretary.

In the reshuffle undertaken by Prime Minister David Cameron, the South West Norfolk MP was named as the replacement of Owen Paterson.

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ESA director general Barry Dennis said: “We welcome the appointment of Elizabeth Truss MP to the position of Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

“Her work at the think-tank Reform advocating a greater focus on tackling serious and organised crime is to be applauded.

“We look forward to engaging with her on the key issues that are facing the waste and resources sector.”

The reshuffle also saw the appointment of Conservative MP for Hastings and Rye Amber Rudd to the role of Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Climate Change taking on the responsibilities of the more senior Minister of State for Climate Change that was previously held by Greg Barker.

Amber Rudd (pictured) will now be in charge of policy on the Renewable Heat Incentive, Feed-in Tariffs and the Green Investment Bank among others.

Greg Barker was seen as part of a Conservative Party wing that saw the business benefits and opportunity of renewable energy development, and was an important bulwark against many in the Conservative’s that are sceptical of this approach.

Renewable Energy Association chief executive Nina Skorupska paid testament to the work of Greg Barker.

She said: “Greg Barker was the only DECC Minister to have been in post since the last election. Not only did he bring stability to the department, he also brought passion and enthusiasm. Although during his stewardship he had to make tough decisions we didn’t agree with, there is no doubt that Greg was a champion for green business. I hope he continues to be an advocate for a low carbon economy, ensuring the UK’s energy is sustainable and secure.”