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