last updated 20th January 06
By 4ecotips.com

Green energy grants are "woefully small"

The Green Party has launched a major energy campaign 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.

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 renewable energy tariffs 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.

"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. It is therefore vital that the govenment listen to public and pressure group opinion on nuclear power, but it seems clear that the DTI Energy Review 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.

Current targets for renewable energy are spectacularly unambitious. The government is aiming for 10% of electricity generation in the UK by 2010. Across Europe, the target is 22%. 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% of electricity is already generated by green technology and the country aims for nearly 30% by 2010.

In the UK, progressive councils 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 central government on these issues.

A Green Party spokesman commented: "It is quite clear that the prime minister has already made his mind up to push for the expansion of nuclear power. But if 10% 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."