Campaign Launch: Green Energy Works
19 January 2006
Presentation by Councillor Andrew Cooper, Thursday 19 January 2006 7.30pm Vida Walsh Centre, 2 Saltoun Road, by Windrush Square, Central Brixton, SW2
The Green Party is today launching a major energy campaign and calling for people to subscribe in their millions to green energy tariffs and to apply for what Greens have labeled the 'woefully small' new round of grants available to householders and business wanting to generate their own green energy.
The campaign, 'Green Energy Works' (see www.greenenergyworks.org.uk) will be launched at a public meeting in Lambeth. Cllr Andrew Cooper, Cabinet Member for Housing and Property on Kirklees Metropolitan Council, will be speaking about his trailblazing success in gaining a commitment by Kirklees Council to include 30 per cent renewable energy generation in all new public buildings in Kirklees.(1)
Green Party Principal Speaker Keith Taylor said: "The Greens want the public to use their consumer power to send a message to the government and energy companies that they can't ignore - that we want more investment in energy-saving and renewable energy, not more nuclear power stations. This campaign has two primary targets: for two million people to sign up to certain renewable energy tariffs (see www.greenenergyworks.org.uk) by the end of 2006; and for the new Low Carbon Buildings fund for microgeneration grants to be used up within months of their launch in March.(2)
"As part of our campaign, we will be launching a public consultation on energy. Numerous studies have shown that the public is far more wary of nuclear power than has been portrayed. (3) It is therefore vital that the govenment listen to public and pressure group opinon on nuclear power, but it seems clear that the DTI Energy Review - to be launched on Monday - will not do this. Instead it seems set to replicate the faults of 'GM Nation' in 2003, in particular coming before relevant studies have published their findings - in this case the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management, which is not due to report until after the DTI consultation has finished, in July.
Councillor Cooper said: "Current targets for renewable energy are spectacularly unambitious. The government is aiming for 10 per cent of electricity generation in the UK by 2010. Across Europe, the target is 22 per cent. With a converted programme of investment in new technology we could do even better than that.
"The fact that green energy works - providing more power, with less carbon dioxide, and with more local jobs than other methods - is already being shown by progressive governments around the world. In Denmark, more than 20 per cent of electricity is already generated by green technology and the country aims for nearly 30 per cent by 2010.
"In the UK, progressive councils such as Kirklees and Woking have shown that with energy-saving measures and small-scale renewables, such as wind turbines and solar panels, homes and workplaces can become self-sufficient or even net exporters of electricity, and can dramatically reduce their carbon dioxide emissions. Now we need to see real leadership from centralgovernment on these issues.
"It is quite clear that Tony Blair has already made his mind up to push for the expansion of nuclear power. But if 10 per cent of households and businesses sign up to green electricity, and the new green grants are exhausted within months, we can show the government that we want our 2010 target achieved now, and much more investment put into new renewables capacity for the future."
Notes:
Campaign Launch and presentation by Councillor Andrew Cooper Renewable energy in practice Thursday 19 January 2006, 7.30pm, Vida Walsh Centre, 2 Saltoun Road, by Windrush Square, Central Brixton, SW2
(1) Cllr Andrew Cooper, Green Party Housing Executive on Kirklees Council speaks on renewable energy initiatives implemented in Yorkshire. By 2011 30 per cent of energy used in all public buildings in Kirlees will be produced in or on each building using windmills, solar panels or combined heat and power boilers - by law. This is a groundbreaking policy with national significance: the first time a Council has mainstreamed the installation of renewable energy into all its new public buildings.
(2) The Low Carbon Buildings Fund Low Carbon Buildings, the government fund replacing the Clear Skies and Major PV Demonstration programmes, is supposed to encourage uptake of micro-renewables technology. Keith Taylor, PrincipalSpeaker of the Green Party, said of the £30 million fund when it was announced: "Compared with the billions sunk every year into nuclear industry £30m is a woefully small sum to stimulate the renewable energy sector. (Energy Minister) Malcolm Wicks's promises to champion micro-generation remain unconvincing while government investment is so low.
"Heating our homes accounts for 27 percent of the UK's CO2 emissions; commercial buildings yet more. Local micro-generation systems, using a combination of wind, solar PV, biomass and other technology would dramatically reduce this figure, and significantly reduce the energy lost in transfer. Through the planning system government has power to require renewable energy generation on all new buildings. Grants and advice should be made available for householders to make the switch to low carbon power. It's time to recognise the challenges global warming presents and for some positive environmental leadership."
(3) Eg: "Public Perceptions of Nuclear Power, Climate Change and Energy Options in Britain"see:www.tyndall.ac.uk
