Commitment to tackle Climate Change (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Commitment to tackle Climate Change

September 7, 2010 10:41 PM

Lib Dem Councillor Paul Tilsley has welcomed news that councils could generate over £100 million to support council services by selling electricity to the grid, as well as creating new jobs.

Birmingham Lib Dems have welcomed the decision by the Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne to allow local councils to sell renewable energy to the grid, overturning a ban on this activity by the previous Government. The Coalition Government was congratulated for its positive commitment to tackle climate change in a motion proposed by Lib Dem councillors at a meeting of Birmingham City Council.

Welcoming the positive decision of the Coalition Government, Councillor Paul Tilsley said that it was estimated that local authorities in England and Wales could generate over £100 million by selling electricity to the grid. These substantial sums could be used to support council services, as well as reducing the country's reliance on Big Energy. He emphasised that the Council committed to retraining people to take advantage of green new jobs.

Only about 5% of electricity in the UK is currently generated from renewable sources when the European average is 14%, and Councillor Roger Harmer highlighted this "shameful legacy of 13 years of Labour government" in seconding the motion. He also emphasised the importance of energy efficiency and making buildings as efficient as possible as well as powering them with zero carbon energy.

The Lib Dem motion discussed by Birmingham City Council at its meeting on Tuesday 7 September 2010 said:

"This Council congratulates the Coalition Government for their positive commitment to tackle climate change.

"Council welcomes the decision by the Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne to allow local councils to sell renewable energy to the grid, overturning a ban on this activity by the previous Government.

"Council recognises that we have a vital role to play in the switch to a new low carbon economy. This decision will allow us to take full advantage of the feed in tariff and deliver long term benefits to support services delivered by this council.

"The availability of feed in tariffs will provide this council with an opportunity to generate a significant income and reduce our energy bills via increased micro generation.

"This council therefore calls upon the Executive to urgently develop a "Green Energy Action Plan" to maximise the benefits and identify potential savings that can be delivered via the use of feed in tariffs."