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May 2007

 

Local authorities

Local authorities have been told to start finding ways to monitor their carbon emissions before new legislation comes into force. The think-tank, the Local Government Information Unit, has said it expects the Energy White Paper to set new objectives for energy efficiency. The White Paper, which is expected to be published in the coming month, is also expected to detail targets fore the use of renewable sources of energy and to include a package of measures to cut carbon dioxide emissions from consumers, businesses and organisations such as councils. The LGIU is also anticipating the inclusion of an "energy performance commitment" that will create an emissions trading scheme for businesses and organisations that are not energy intensive, including larger local authorities such as county councils.
Public.net 1st May 2007

Eco-Towns

Gordon Brown's proposal to build five eco-towns could be the start of something exciting in Britain - as long as he doesn't lose his nerve.
Guardian website 15th May 2007l

Yorkshire Biomass

FARMS and small businesses in North Yorkshire are being given the chance to slash bills by introducing the next generation of environmentally friendly heating systems. A new project is being officially launched tomorrow to encourage farmers, hotel owners and other entrepreneurs across the North York Moors to look towards biomass boilers for their properties. The heating and hot water systems, which are powered by wood chippings, are being heralded as a means of reducing the cost of bills by up to a third. Vast swathes of woodland across rural North Yorkshire provide an easily accessible and sustainable resource to power the biomass technology, which is also giving an alternative source of income for the nation's beleaguered timber industry.
Yorkshire Post 16th May 2007

Eco-Cities

Some 500 US mayors pledged on Tuesday to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Kyoto Protocol, signaling their objections to the environmental policies of President George W. Bush.
Yahoo 16th May 2007

Ken Livingstone has helped to broker a historic “green” deal to slash carbon emissions. The London Mayor lined up with 14 world city leaders to back a £2.5 billion pollution-busting plan fronted by Bill Clinton in New York. The Retrofit scheme, funded by five multinational banks, will provide loans for businesses to install eco-friendly measures such as wind turbines and solar panels on ageing buildings. Firms would pay the cash back through the resulting cuts in their energy bills.
London Paper 17th May 2007

Microgeneration grants slashed

The government has drawn sharp criticism from the country's microgeneration industry after re-launching its low carbon buildings programme – the controversial grant system which was suspended in March. Key changes are the abolition of monthly allocations of funds, which embarrassed the DTI by running out on the first day of each month, a shortening of grant claim periods and huge reductions in grant money for solar PV and wind turbines. The maximum per household is now £2,500, down from £15,000. For wind systems it is halved to £2,500. As a result, the annual return on solar PV systems drops to uneconomic levels, analysts say. Grants for solar water heating, at £400, or ground source heat pumps, at £1,200, remain.
One industry representative said "If I had to think of a way to destroy the renewables industry, even my worst case scenario would not have been as bad as this".
Guardian 10th May 2007

Grants to help climate-conscious householders to install microgeneration technologies will be up for grabs again later this month, Alistair Darling has announced. The Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) has already allocated £6.8m in grants to householders and, following the addition an extra £6m in the Budget, applications for the remaining £11.9m will be open from 29 May.

Local Government News 11th May 2007

Brighton

Brighton & Hove City Council has been awarded £200,000 by the Carbon Trust to help carry out initiatives to cut its carbon emissions by 20% over the next 5 years. The council will match the £200,000 award with an additional £250,000 of its own money, which combined, will enable a wide range of energy saving investments including  the installation of eight wind turbines on the roof and one on the lawn at Kings House council offices in Grand Avenue, Hove.
24Dash 18th May 2007

Wisbech

A PRIMARY school has become the first in Fenland to be granted planning permission for a wind turbine Elm Primary School had applied earlier this year for the wind turbine but withdrew the plans after believing it was located above the remains of a medieval chapel. But, after an excavation dig found nothing of particular interest, the application was resubmitted and approved by planning officers at Fenland District Council.
Wisbech Standard 18th May 2007

Bolton

EVERYBODY is thinking about green issues today so it is heartening to see that councillors have given the go-ahead to the first two wind turbines to go up on a house in Westhoughton. The 8ft turbines have been put on a year-long trial, during which the owner, Lynda Cash, will have to switch them off at night after her neighbours complained about noise. In built-up areas, issues such as noise must be resolved to everyone's satisfaction. It is not difficult to see that a constant, low-pitched humming from wind turbines next door might be very annoying.

But with the Government urging everyone to reduce their domestic carbon emissions, it can only be a matter of time before more turbines are seen whirling away on suburban rooftops.
Bolton News 21st May 2007

Norwich

An environmentally friendly developer has been forced to remove solar panels from a Victorian water tower he has been renovating. David Forster, 50, bought the ancient tower on Aylsham Road outside Cawston in 2003 from a farmer. He paid £85,000 for it and has so far spent £67,000 renovating it. His dream is to move into the tower once the renovation work is complete and he is trying to make it as green a building as possible.
Norwich Evening News 21st May 2007

Planning

The biggest planning shake-up for 20 years will be unveiled by the Government today which should see red tape slashed for people wanting to carry out simple home improvements such as adding a conservatory, converting a loft, or installing wind turbines.
Daily Mail 21st May 2007

Southwark

THE Academy Of St Francis of Assisi in Liverpool is the model for the eco-school planned for Southwark. Education bosses see the environment and its importance in lessons as the future for the borough. They were won over to the idea after visiting the school and talking to teachers. The Liverpool Academy is futuristic in design with a lofty, curvy atrium created with the same plastic bubbles as Cornwall's Eden Project. It is not purely for design, as the ceiling captures sunlight, providing the school with 10 per cent of its electricity.
South London Press 22nd May 2007

Green University

NOVELIST Iain Banks is to present Queen Margaret University with a sustainability award for its new campus at Craighall. The author of The Wasp Factory and The Crow Road is a green convert and has traded in his Porsches, Jaguar and BMW for low-emission vehicles, after a moment of guilt over his carbon footprint. He will present the university with a certificate marking its achievement in gaining a rating of "excellent" from the Building Research Establishment's Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) - the highest score recorded by any university project in the UK. Mr Banks, who lives in North Queensferry, will also hear about Queen Margaret's green travel plan to encourage staff and students to use sustainable transport when they relocate to Craighall from their Corstorphine and Leith campuses this summer. In February, the author revealed he changed all the light bulbs in his home to energy-saving versions and bought a wind turbine for his roof.
Edinburgh Evening News 22nd May 2007

South-West

The Government's Energy White Paper should help to reinforce South West England's growing reputation as a centre of excellence for renewable energy and sustainable development. That was the verdict of the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA), which welcomed the Government's commitment to pursue an energy policy that includes support for renewable energy and energy efficiency.
South-west RDA 23rd May 2007

Communities Ministry

Climate change is firmly on the political agenda with recent Government measures focusing on tackling climate change through the planning system. Government Cabinet Minister Ruth Kelly in December launched a package of measures being taken forward by her Communities and Local Government department to help deliver the Government's ambition of achieving "zero carbon development". The measures proposed to implement this include: Planning Policy Statement 1: Delivering Sustainable Development which sets out the overarching planning policies on the delivery of sustainable development through the planning system. Planning and Climate Change: which sets out how spatial planning should contribute both to reducing emissions (mitigation) and preparing for the unavoidable consequences (adaptation). Code for Sustainable Homes and a consultation document Building a Greener Future.
Newcastle Journal 23rd May 2007

North Wales

The Daily Post in association with the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) is offering one lucky reader (or organisation) the chance to own and operate the latest state-of-the-art domestic roof-mounted wind turbine. This amazing prize has been offered to coincide with a new four-part series by our writer-at-large Ian Parri on the effects of climate change in North Wales, starting only in the Daily Post on Monday May 28, and running until June 18.
Daily Post 24th May 2007

Lancaster

A NEW Lancaster-based wind turbine company has installed its first domestic wind powered generator in Scorton. Whoosh Energy set up in CityLab in Dalton Square six months ago and the company hopes the 12-metre turbine is the first of many in the area.
Lancaster Guardian 24th May 2007

Southampton

AN ambitious £35m eco-friendly revamp of City College in Southampton was given the thumbs-up by councillors. The approved plans, which include two wind turbines and a combined heat and power plant to reduce carbon emissions and fuel bills, will create a state-of-the-art campus in St Mary's for young and adult students.
Southern Daily Echo 24th May 2007

Kettering

PEOPLE are to be encouraged to install wind turbines and other green energy systems on their homes by a council. Kettering Council's executive committee last night approved a series of targets to become more environmentally friendly which are set to be rubber-stamped at a full council meeting next month.
Northants Evening Telegraph 24th May 2007

Shetland

The Zero Carbon House – now being built on the Shetland Island of Unst – is a low energy demonstration project to show how renewable energy can create a unique living experience on a remote island in a severe climate. A holistic approach has been taken to eliminating household carbon emissions that would normally result from heating and powering the home, running the family car and growing and transporting food. Wiring devices and consumer units from MK Electric have been deployed to provide the optimum in safety and convenience throughout the building.
Building services and environmental engineer 24th May 2007

Suffolk

HOUSEHOLDERS in Suffolk Coastal who are planning to make their homes more energy self-sufficient are being urged to apply for grant aid from a new national funding scheme. A total of £11.9 million is being made available by the government from Tuesday May 29 through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) to support solar, wind and water powered systems, or for wood pellets or wood-fuelled boiler systems. This includes grants for mini wind turbines, solar PV panels and solar water heating systems.
Suffolk Evening Star 24th May 2007

Nottingham

Nottinghamshire County Council’s pioneering scheme to heat its local schools with sustainable wood pellets instead of coal, helping the environment as well as saving costs. So far 17 schools have benefited with a total of 21 boilers installed and 27 more schools will be reached by the end of 2008.
eGov Monitor 26th May 2007

Norfolk

Prime minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown was last night urged to create Norfolk's first “eco-town” on the site of a former RAF base. Campaigners and MPs called on the chancellor to build hundreds of homes and businesses at the defunct RAF Coltishall site to the highest environmental standard, using state-of-the-art low carbon designs.
East Anglian Daily Press 28th May 2007

Sussex

A Sussex community is leading the conversion to renewable energy heating. Residents at the Hoathly Hill Community, West Hoathly, are looking no further than their local woods for fuel to deliver clean, green energy heating for their homes.The community is installing a biomass boiler wood chip heating system providing renewable energy heating and hot water for 27 homes, a barn, a kindergarten, a sculpture studio and pottery room. Work started in October and the first few buildings are due to be connected to the boiler this month, with connections continuing until September.
EDF Energy Press Release 29th May 2007

Aberdeen

An Aberdeen primary school today became the first in mainland Scotland to harness the wind to generate its own power. The wind turbine at Cults Primary school began turning this morning to provide energy for the school and to highlight awareness of renewable energy among pupils, other schools and the wider community.
Aberdeen City Council 29th May 2007
Aberdeen Press and Journal 31st May 2007

Your report that Cults Primary School in Aberdeen will save £650 of energy costs from the use of a £19,500 wind turbine well illustrates the defective economic thinking of wind energy protagonists.
Scotsman 31st May 2007

North Lanarkshire

ALLANTON Primary School are making giant strides towards gaining a green eco-flag award. After weeks of fundraising the school managed to raise enough money to install a wind turbine, a move which will see them cut down on wasted energy. The turbine, which went ‘live’ on Tuesday, May 22, is hooked up to the mains and will help power the school. Thanks to fundraising efforts of staff, pupils and their families, the school has since become the first in North Lanarkshire to fund their own turbine.
Wishaw Press 30th May 2007

Nottingham

New large buildings in Nottingham must generate at least ten per cent of their own energy needs, the city council has ruled. The local authority will now demand that developments of more than 1,000 sq metres are fitted with renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power. The move marks a significant step towards creating a greener city - but councillors have indicated they will go further and have discussed increasing the proportion of renewable energy required to 20%.
Nottingham Evening Post 30th May 2007

Cornwall

Pupils at Upton Cross Primary are celebrating after becoming the first school in Cornwall to get their own wind turbine.Last week, teachers, pupils and parents gathered to watch the official ceremony to start the 12-metre turbine.
This is Cornwall 30th May 2007

Planning reform

Wind turbines could spring up on homes across Lincolnshire if the Government scraps the need for planning permission, it's claimed. Scores of households already use small turbines as a supplementary power source for their homes. And under proposed new government planning regulations, which are said to have climate change as their focus, any household in England could buy a wind turbine and fit it to a property without the obstacle of planning permission. The chief executive of eco-friendly developer Gusto Homes, Steff Wright, said that before a turbine-buying frenzy ensues, homeowners should get advice on how effective a small wind turbine would be for their home.
This is Lincolnshire 31st May 2007

Solar Roof Tiles

Sandtoft Roof Tiles, the pioneering roof tile manufacturer, has made a landmark pledge of support for solar energy, after the Department of Trade and Industry’s decision to cut its financial support for homeowners investing in renewable electricity.With immediate effect, Sandtoft will sell its solar electric (photovoltaic) and solar thermal systems at zero profit in order to make the renewable energy solutions as cost-effective as possible.
24Dash 31st May 2007

Insulation, Insulation, Insulation

INSULATION, insulation, insulation - when it comes to energy-efficient homes, developers believe that effective insulation is a critical component of an eco-friendly home. According to the Carbon Trust, emissions from buildings generate more than 45% of the UK's annual carbon footprint and better insulation is at the forefront in the fight against climate change. "It may not sound as sexy as solar panels or wind turbines, but a high standard of insulation is the main way of conserving heat," says Mairi Mickel of MacTaggart & Mickel, the Scottish family-owned house builder. "Insulation is key to retaining as much heat as possible. Just think of the energy it takes to heat a draughty traditional property, with the heat literally going out the window." House-builder CALA is currently trialling a "dynamic breathing" insulation system at its Arboretum development in Balerno, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, designed to lower carbon emissions, reduce energy costs and create a healthy living environment. Created by the Environmental Building Partnership Limited (EBP), with grant aid from the Carbon Trust, dynamic insulation is set to revolutionise the way buildings across the world are insulated and ventilated.
Scotsman 31st May 2007

 

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