Landlords face fines for energy inefficiency

Improving energy efficiency is vital to achieving a renewable future for the UK. Good Energy works not only to change the way energy is generated, but to change the way it is used so the Government’s announcement this week that landlords will be forced to pay a fine if they rent properties without proper insulation is welcome news.

The Government says that by the autumn of 2012 the scheme will enable homeowners to make their house or flat energy-efficient with the homeowner paying the costs back through their energy bills over up to 20 years.

Good Energy customer Stephen Beech of Manchester-based Beech Properties has been reaping the benefits of renting out highly insulated properties for a decade. He has now begun putting solar panels on all of his 80 properties in order to benefit from the Feed-in Tariff. “I have proved that going green is not just good for the environment but good for business,” says Stephen.

To read more about Stephen’s innovative ideas check out our blog here.


Chris Huhne: "Green growth: the transition to a sustainable economy"

In a speech to students at the London School of Economics this week, Energy Secretary Chris Huhne set out the case for green growth. He spoke of building “a more balanced, more sustainable economy...where climate stabilisation and financial recovery are not mutually exclusive but mutually beneficial,” announcing that the new ‘green economy’ will create jobs and exports as well as secure investment.

Energy Minister Charles Hendry has called the UK’s power market reform “the biggest thing since liberalisation and privatisation of the electricity market.”

Confirmation of UK employment possibilities improving thanks to the development of its renewables market came this week when a deal was signed to construct components for one of the world’s largest offshore wind farms in Wales. The project will create over 300 jobs.

Dorset’s first solar farm proposed

It would seem that solar power’s star is shining ever brighter in the UK. Following our report in last week’s News Digest that a loan of £14 million has been granted for a solar farm to be built next to Newquay Airport in Cornwall, this week saw proposals to build Dorset’s first solar farm announced by local company, Eco Sustainable Solutions. The firm is due to hold a public exhibition on the project this weekend, which local residents, councillors and interest groups have been invited to.

If the plans are approved, some 30,000 solar panels would be installed at the site in Parley, which will be capable of producing enough energy to power 1,100 homes.

It’s great to hear that Eco Sustainable Solutions is involving local residents in the decision making process. With concerning tales last week of wind farm objectors jeopardising onshore wind farm developments the issue is even more pressing. Good Energy passionately believes in engaging the local community when embarking on any new renewable development. We have made every effort during our wind farm development in Delabole, North Cornwall, to involve the local community every step of the way. Click here for more in-depth information on how we have done this.

A mixed bag of environment news from across the pond

 
The tidal wave of optimism that swept Barack Obama to victory in the U.S. Presidential election two years ago is only a dim memory this week as the mid-term elections saw the Democrats pummelled in the polls with the Republicans taking a majority in the House.

This does not harbour good news for Obama’s aspirations on the environment. An investigation by Think Progress, a website run by the think tank Centre for American Progress found that 50% of the more than 100 Republican newcomers deny the existence of man-made climate change. This, says The Guardian, could spell the end for progressive energy legislation and herald a return to the George Bush era of environmental deregulation.

But it’s not all bad news. The sunshine state of California continued its trend-bucking ways by decisively rejecting Proposition 23, a measure to roll back the state’s landmark climate change law.
The victory represents a major victory for green businesses and environmental groups after Republican politicians and out-of-state oil companies waged a high-profile campaign in favour of the measure, spending millions on TV ads.


Channel4 Documentary: What the Green Movement Got Wrong

This programme was causing a stir amongst green circles before it was even broadcast last night with leading American environmentalist Adam Werbach who was interviewed for the documentary accusing the programme makers of not accurately representing his views. Greenpeace also said it had “major issues” with how the film was explained to potential contributors.

Good Energy thought the film was one-sided and misleading in its portrayal of the green movement  as being anti-technology … not to mention it’s blasé dismissal of the role of renewables as an energy solution for the future because they are intermittent and with no storage capacity. Problems which we believe can be overcome with research and development. The film completely ignored microgeneration and the benefits of generating energy where it is used. Our own analysis has shown the UK can be 100% renewable by 2050 – to find out how click here.

Head to the Guardian blog to read environmentalists’ responses after the broadcast. Good Energy partner Friends of the Earth also has plenty to say on the subject.