STUNELL STRIVES TO BOOST RENEWABLES AND CUT LOCAL FUEL BILLS

2.07.00pm GMT Thu 30th Oct 2008

Local MP Andrew Stunell has expressed his delight at the successful passage of the Climate Change Bill last night, setting a target of an 80% cut in CO2 emissions by 2050, but has stressed the importance of ensuring that local families are not left behind.

Alongside Friends of the Earth, and the Renewable Energy Association, Andrew is calling for new legislation that would guarantee a long-term, premium payment to households, businesses and communities that generate their own energy from renewable energy sources. This would go some way to cutting emissions, but crucially would also cut household energy bills and increase energy independence - a key pillar of the Liberal Democrats' Economic Recovery Plan.

Andrew is himself no stranger to the fight for energy efficiency, having successfully steered his own legislation, the Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act, through Parliament in 2004. The Act was designed to make buildings greener, safer and more energy-efficient.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell MP said:

"I'm delighted at the passage of the Climate Change Bill, and pleased that it sets an ambitious target. However, current government policies just aren't working, and if we're going to reach this target, everyone will need to do their bit.

"Providing local people with the ability to generate their own energy is a simple way for the government to stimulate economic growth, fight climate change, and reduce the burden on local families, at a time when their finances are being stretched to breaking point.

"The Government mustn't rest on their laurels. They must act to introduce a renewable energy tariff so that local people and businesses that want to invest are given the support they need."

ENDS

Notes

1.Andrew's successful Private Member's Bill is called the Sustainable and Secure Buildings Act 2004, the text of which is available at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2004/ukpga_20040022_en_1.

2.The Liberal Democrat Economic Recovery Plan was launched by Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg MP, and Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP on 30th September 2008. The full text of the nine-point plan is available at http://www.libdems.org.uk/home/liberal-democrat-economic-recovery-plan-12693499;show.

3.A study by the Energy Saving Trust in 2007 found that 30-40 % of the UK's energy could be provided by micro renewable schemes for homes, businesses and the community.

4.The renewable energy tariff scheme has the support of 35 organisations, including the British Retail Consortium, Chartered Institute of Housing, Compass, Country Land and Business Association (CLA), Energy Saving Trust, Energywatch, Federation of Master Builders, Greenpeace, Ground Source Heat Pump Association, Home Builders Federation, Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Micropower Council, National Energy Action, National Farmers Union, National Home Improvement Council, National Union of Teachers, Neal's Yard Remedies, New Economics Foundation, Places for People, Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), RIBA, RSPB, Schott, Sharp, Solar Trade Association, Solarcentury, The Co-operative Group, The Premises Recording Studio, TUC, UK Green Building Council, Unison, Worcester Bosch Group, World Future Council, WWF-UK.

5.A UK version of the renewable energy tariff, has been proposed by a cross party group of Peers as an amendment to the Energy Bill, currently going through parliament. The scheme, if adopted, would provide a reward for homeowners and businesses that invested in renewable energy projects such as wind turbines on farms, or solar panels on the roofs of homes or businesses.

6.Over 100 MPs have signed a parliamentary petition calling for a 'renewable energy tariff amendment to the Energy Bill', including both Andrew Stunell MP and Cheadle MP Mark Hunter.

7.Seventeen European countries have adopted a renewable energy tariff system with considerable success. In 2007 Germany generated 14.2% of its electricity from renewable sources, compared with just 5% in the UK. The German renewable energy industry has a turnover of £20bn and employs 249,000 (compared to a UK sector that employs about 20,000 people). Germany generates 200 tines more solar energy than the UK.

8.For further information on Friends of the Earth visit www.foe.co.uk