This image, taken in March 2021, shows the site where the new facility would be developed.
Christopher Furlong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
LONDON — Plans for a deep coal mine in the northwest of England were given the green light by the U.K. government, a decision that’s been welcomed by its backers but slammed by critics.
In a statement reacting to the news, the firm behind the development said it was “delighted with the decision.”
West Cumbria Mining said the Woodhouse Colliery, in the county of Cumbria, would supply “the critical steel industry with a high-quality metallurgical coal product.” According to the business, the project will provide roughly 500 direct jobs.
The U.K. has a long association with coal mining, but the industry’s decline hit many communities hard and is an emotive subject. The reasons for the government’s decisions were outlined in an extensive document published online on Wednesday.
Among other things, it said Michael Gove, the secretary of state for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, was “satisfied that there is currently a UK and European market for the coal … and that although there is no consensus on what future demand in the UK and Europe may be, it is highly likely that a global demand would remain.”
The approval for the Woodhouse Colliery was welcomed by Mike Starkie, the elected mayor of Copeland Borough Council in Cumbria. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s “The World Tonight” on Wednesday, Starkie, who is a member of the ruling Conservative Party, described himself as “absolutely thrilled.”
“I’ve been inundated with messages from across my community tonight, and we’ve got a community in celebration about one of the biggest positive economic impacts on our area in a generation,” he added. “This is fantastic news for West Cumbria and for our community.”
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Starkie’s enthusiasm was not shared by all. “Phasing out coal use is the clearest requirement of the global effort towards Net Zero,” Lord Deben, chairman of the Climate Change Committee, an independent body which advises the U.K. government, said.
“We condemn, therefore, the Secretary of State’s decision to consent a new deep coal mine in Cumbria, contrary to our previous advice,” Deben added.
He went on to state that the United Kingdom’s “hard-fought global influence on climate” had been “diminished by today’s decision.”
Alongside the CCC, other organizations were also critical of the development moving forward. “This is an appalling decision,” Tony Bosworth, a campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said.
“Approving this mine is a misguided and deeply damaging mistake that flies in the face of all the evidence,” he added. “The mine isn’t needed, will add to global climate emissions, and won’t replace Russian coal.”
Greenpeace UK’s Policy Director, Doug Parr, said the mine would “do absolutely nothing for the UK’s energy security since the coal it contains can only be used for steelmaking, not generating power, and more than 80% of it is earmarked for sale in Europe anyway.”
“There’s a technological revolution building in steel-making, but this approach could make the UK a backwater in the 21st-century clean tech race,” Parr said.
Elsewhere, Jen Carson, who is head of industry at the Climate Group, described the proposal to open the new coal mine as being “at odds with the steel sector, and the UK Government’s net zero pledge.”
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While it was crucial to the planet’s industrialization and remains a hugely important source of electricity, coal has a substantial effect on the environment.
Elsewhere, Greenpeace has described coal as “the dirtiest, most polluting way of producing energy.”
On the global stage, the U.K.’s plans to develop a new site linked to the mining of fossil fuels are at odds with high profile international voices such as Antonio Guterres, the U.N. secretary general.
“The only true path to energy security, stable power prices, prosperity and a livable planet lies in abandoning polluting fossil fuels — especially coal — and accelerating the renewables-based energy transition,” he said earlier this year.
In a statement sent to CNBC on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities said the secretary of state had “agreed to grant planning permission for a new metallurgical coal mine in Cumbria as recommended by the independent planning inspector.”
“This coal will be used for the production of steel and would otherwise need to be imported,” they added.
“It will not be used for power generation. The mine seeks to be net zero in its operations and is expected to contribute to local employment and the wider economy.”
“The reasons for the Secretary of State’s decision are set out in full in his published letter, alongside the report of the independent planning inspector who oversaw the inquiry into the proposal.”
CNBC also contacted West Cumbria Mining for comment, but had not received a response ahead of this story’s publication.
Several well-known players in the US electric bicycle market have recently joined forces in creative ways. Electric Bike Company, known for its local manufacturing in Southern California, has just announced a major merger with Integral Electrics, an e-bike brand uniquely designing electric bicycles for women and other short statured riders.
Both Electric Bike Company and Integral Electrics have carved out interesting niches in the industry. EBC has become famous for its extremely customizable electric bicycles. Riders can choose everything from the specific paint color to the combination of components and even the material choices – locally manufactured wooden fenders, anyone?
With multiple assembly locations across Newport Beach in Southern California, the local production has allowed EBC to respond quickly to one-of-a-kind builds that are designed by customers on its website or in any of hundreds of dealer locations around the US. The extreme customization has lent itself well to a market where customers often want to create unique bikes that show off personality and character.
Integral Electrics has also found itself an underrepresented market, but this time with a focus on female riders. The brand focuses on making cycling more accessible, regardless of a rider’s gender, height, or cycling experience. The company’s e-bikes are built to fit a wider range of riders, carry multiple children, and make cycling easier for everyone.
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The company’s founder and CEO Laura Belmar started Integral Electrics back in 2023 along with co-founder Paul Freedom, relying on her own experience struggling to find a cargo e-bike that she could comfortably ride with her children. A serial entrepreneur with successful ventures already under her belt, Belmar followed her instincts and tapped into that underserved market.
Now Integral Electrics and Electric Bike Company are merging under a single brand, with Integral Electric’s designs joining the EBC family. EBC has several famous models available, but the brand has long skewed more in the direction of cruisers and comfort bikes. The addition of Integral Electric’s cargo bikes and trikes will help further round out the diversity of models offered.
“Integral’s emphasis on female riders and on cargo e-bikes is a welcome addition to the EBC family,” said EBC founder and CEO Sean Lupton-Smith. “We want to stay on the cutting edge of where the e-bike market is headed, and Integral’s innovative approach helps push us forward.”
And with EBC’s local manufacturing, those bikes will be made closer to home than ever. “Building in the USA also has distinct safety advantages,” explained Belmar. “From my first visit to Electric Bike Company’s California factory, I have been indelibly impressed by the emphasis on quality and safety. Shipping bikes fully built and inspected is so much safer for customers. Electric Bike Company has already achieved one of our long-held aspirations. I’m honored to be part of this team.”
In a climate of tariff uncertainty, the ability to build and assemble bikes locally is becoming even more advantageous. “As tariffs, regulation and competition put pressure on the e-bike industry, Sean’s focus on customization and safety at Electric Bike Company was prescient,” added Freeman. “As we look around the industry, it’s clear that he has built a business that is well-positioned to meet this moment.”
As part of the merger, Belmar will assume the role of President and Chief Commercial Officer at EBC, and Integral Electrics’ Advisor Michael Edwards will join the EBC board.
The news of the merger follows quickly behind another major EBC partnership that saw Pedego ink a licensing deal with the brand to leverage EBC’s customization strengths to produce unique customer-designed Pedego e-bikes.
In addition to rolling out EBC’s Design Wall at many of Pedego’s stores, allowing customers to visually construct any e-bike combination right there in real-time on a large touchscreen, the partnership adds Pedego’s 150+ stores to EBC’s 250+ dealer network, giving customers access to one of the most extensive e-bike sales and service networks in the country.
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A nearly $50,000 electric SUV for just $99 a month? If that sounds too good to be true, it’s because it kind of is. One Honda dealer is promoting a Prologue lease offer for just $99 for 24 months, but you may have a hard time getting your hands on one.
Honda Prologue EV listed for lease at just $99 per month
Honda’s electric SUV is already one of the most popular EVs in the US. In December, it was the third top-selling electric vehicle trailing only the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
Since the first models hit the streets last March, the Prologue climbed to become the seventh best-selling EV in 2024, beating out Chevy’s new Equinox EV and even the Rivian R1S.
Although Honda, like most, is offering generous discounts to clear inventory, one dealer is taking it to the extreme.
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Buena Park Honda in California is promoting a Honda Prologue lease deal for just $99 for 24 months (plus taxes) with a $3,977 down payment. The crazy low offer is for the 2024 Prologue EX FWD with 10,000 miles a year, but there’s a catch.
Honda Prologue listed for lease at just $99 per month (Source: Buena Park Honda)
For one, there’s only one model listed in its inventory, and it’s the Elite trim, listed at $51,850 (MSRP of $59,350 minus the $7,500 federal EV tax credit). You will also need a trade-in vehicle, including a 2014 or newer Honda or competitor brand.
A salesperson from the dealership told online auto research firm CarsDirect that the EX models are out of stock because they are “really hard to get your hands on.”
2024 Honda Prologue Elite (Source: Honda)
Also, if you factor in the down payment and $595 acquisition fee, the effective cost is $295 per month. That’s only slightly better than the official $239 for a 24-month lease offer Honda is promoting. With just $1,499 due at signing, the effective rate is $301 per month, or just $6 more.
2024 Honda Prologue trim
Starting Price (w/o $1,395 destination fee)
Starting price after tax credit (w/o $1,395 destination fee)
Starting price after tax credit (with $1,395 destination fee)
EPA Range (miles)
EX (FWD)
$47,400
$39,900
$41,295
296
EX (AWD)
$50,400
$42,900
$44,295
281
Touring (FWD)
$51.700
$44,200
$45,595
296
Touring (AWD)
$54,700
$47,200
$48,595
281
Elite (AWD)
$57,900
$50,400
$51,795
273
2024 Honda Prologue prices and range by trim
Although this is offered in California and other CARB emissions states, the Prologue is on sale in different regions for just $209 for 24 months. With $2,699 due at signing, the effective rate is still just $321 per month.
Honda says the Prologue “delivers the same level of quality, reliability, and performance” you expect from the brand.
Based on GM’s Ultium platform, the electric SUV has an EPA-estimated range of up to 296 miles. Although it shares GM’s tech, Honda fine-tuned the Prologue with an added multi-link front and rear suspension to give it a more “sporty” drive.
The Prologue has more interior space, with 111.7 cu ft of passenger volume, than the Honda CR-V (106 cu ft). It also features an 11.3″ touch-screen infotainment system with built-in Google, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto support, something GM has moved away from.
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