As if that were not bad enough, the current approach to tackling the problem of onshore and offshore laundering havens is flawed, too.

ECONOMIST: That infernal washing machine

It added that under current rates of progress, the UK would have 13.5GW of wind capacity in operation - onshore and offshore - by the end of 2014.

BBC: Wind industry 'on track' to power 10% of homes

Federal acreage onshore and offshore holds more than 2, 000 trillion cubic feet of natural gas (about 75 years worth of current domestic consumption) and 229 billion barrels of oil (about 50 years worth).

FORBES: Study: Fed Lands Hold Oil and Gas Bonanza