A town whose energy-efficiency projects have caught the attention of
ministers has been asked to help shape national policy for "the greenest
Government ever".
Professor Stephen Frankel, on behalf of the Wadebridge Renewable
Energy Network (WREN) in North Cornwall, will meet with eight officials
from other communities across the country to advise ministers as part of
the Community Energy Contact Group.
Minister Greg Barker wrote to Mr Frankel in recognition of the town's
relentless pursuit of green opportunities which have continued despite
the cutbacks in Government incentives for renewables. Wadebridge
residents have installed solar panels on many local roofs and plan to
use tidal power from the River Camel.
Mr Frankel, whose vociferous lobbying of the Government has
brought particular attention to the plight of community groups' in the
South West, said: "I really do think energy ministers and the Prime
Minister are being truthful when they say that they want a greener,
low-carbon Britain, and that they want to help communities take control
of their own demand for and generation of energy. The fact most of their
actions prevent us from doing that is a reflection of the fact it is
also difficult for them to change the basic arrangements for energy
generation and distribution.
"I am very hopeful this group will add to the groundswell of
opinion that must lead us away from a centralised energy system to one
where communities can themselves create those wise solutions that will
not emerge if we carry on as we are."
The advisory body, which will meet for the first time in London
on December 15, will help Department for Energy and Climate Change
"design and deliver with communities in mind".
In a letter new group members Mr Barker, the minister for energy
and climate change, wrote: "This Coalition is committed to being 'the
greenest Government ever' and we believe that local communities are key
allies in achieving our ambition of a greener, low-carbon Britain."
The new group will ensure local views are heard, and help
Government identify – and remove – the barriers to community energy
delivering its full potential.
An obvious starting point is the Feed-in Tariff, a once-generous
subsidy offered for renewable energy producers including schools and
community groups, which has been sliced in half in recent weeks, to the
dismay of many businesses and campaigners in the South West.
Spokesman for DECC Peter Wilson said: "The work of the Wadebridge
Renewable Energy Network, and Stephen Frankel in particular, in
harnessing renewables for the community and driving a low carbon economy
in Cornwall make this a natural selection for the new group."
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