News Release
Sarah Boyack MSP, 4 July 2007
Boyack’s Energy Bill Proposal Gains Support of More than a Third of Parliament in One Week
A Proposed Member’s Bill aimed at tackling climate change and cutting
fuel bills has gained the support of more than a third of the new Scottish
Parliament since it was formally relodged exactly a week ago.
Originally lodged last year the Energy Efficiency and Micro-generation
Bill proposed by Edinburgh Central Labour MSP Sarah Boyack was formally
reactivated for the new Scottish Parliament session and with support from
45 MSPs, beating in less than a week the number of supporting MSPs it received
in the previous session.
In addition to cross party backing the proposal has the support from a
Steering Group representing expertise in energy efficiency, fuel poverty,
the renewables industry, climate change and energy policy and is now set
to make real progress.
If passed by the Scottish Parliament, the Bill would require all new buildings
to include capacity for small-scale electricity generation and provide
incentives, such as reduced business rates or reductions on Council tax,
for developments that incorporate certified measures.
It would also require the Scottish Executive to set targets for micro-generation
and for local authorities to consider the role such technology can play
in achieving sustainable energy.
Sarah Boyack said:
“Fuel poverty and climate change need to be tackled as a matter of urgency and my Bill proposal is designed to help tackle these issues.
“Despite a number of welcome Government initiatives, too many families cannot afford to keep warm. Increases in domestic energy costs have made the situation harder for people on lower incomes. We also need to act now to cut CO2 emissions to slow down the climate change which is leading to more extreme weather and will impact on us all.
“I am delighted to have the active support of charitable organisations including Barnardo’s, Friends of the Earth Scotland, Energy Action Scotland and WWF Scotland in developing and delivering this Bill into new Scottish statute and it is pleasing that Proposal has already received more support in one week than in the previous session. This demonstrates how much these issues have risen up the political agenda in the past year.”
Carol Aitken of Scottish Gas commented:
“As Scotland’s leading energy supplier Scottish Gas wholeheartedly supports the aims and objectives behind Sarah Boyack’s proposed Member’s Bill.
“Scottish Gas supports the view that energy efficiency has an important role to play in meeting environmental, social and supply objectives. Improving domestic energy efficiency can make a huge difference to Scotland’s carbon emissions – which rose in 2006 by 6%. Currently around 25-30% of our carbon emissions come from household electricity and gas usage – the average household emits 5 tonnes of CO2 annually from such energy usage.
“We are committed to helping our customers improve their energy efficiency and to gaining access to affordable microgeneration technologies. However the steps we have taken as a private company can only go so far. Unless householders can be motivated to invest in energy efficiency products through cash incentives such as discounts on council tax, it is unlikely that climate change targets will be met. The right legislative framework for achieving better energy efficiency in the home is crucial, including changes to current regulations governing council tax rebates. Sarah Boyack’s proposed Member’s Bill would go a long way to putting this framework in place.”
Tam Baillie of Barnardo’s commented:
“Energy efficiency is an important element of reducing the number of families living in fuel poverty. Barnardo’s supports initiatives which will assist these families and we believe this bill proposal is a useful step forward. There is an opportunity in the new Parliament to harness cross party support for such proposals’’
This Holyrood Bill proposal complements the Climate Change & Sustainable Energy Private Member's Act led by Edinburgh North & Leith MP Mark Lazarowicz passed which was passed in the House of Commons last year.
Notes:
• The Energy Efficiency and Micro-Generation Bill proposal was launched for consultation in December 2005.
• There were 62 consultation responses received on the consultation which included wide support from Local Authorities. No responses were received that indicated any significant concerns with the proposals.
• The Bill Proposal was formally relodged on 27 June after the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee indicated on the same day that it was satisfied with a statement of reasons for no further consultation at this stage.
• The full membership of the Steering Group is:
Chair: Sarah Boyack MSP
Norrie Kerr, Energy Action Scotland (0141 226 3064)
David Manion, Age Concern Scotland
Duncan McLaren, Friends of the Earth Scotland (0131 554 9977)
Jessica Pepper, WWF Scotland (07980 852567)
Pete Roche, Energy Consultant (07821 378210)
Jason Ormiston, Scottish Renewables Forum (07818 075600)
Tam Baillie, Barnardo’s (0131 334 9893)
• Since the first proposal was originally laid there has been some progress made by the Scottish Executive. In March 2007 Scottish Planning Policy 6 on Renewable Energy was published. SPP6 requires all major developments over 500m2 to include sufficient on site microgeneration or decentralised energy to reduce predicted CO2 emissions by at least 15%. On 22nd June, in answer to a written question from Sarah Boyack MSP, Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure & Climate Change reconfirmed the commitment by the former Executive to consult for a period of three months in the Autumn this year regarding permitted development rights, including draft proposals, for micro- renewable equipment.
• Further details can be viewed via the Bills section of the Scottish Parliament website at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/s3/bills/MembersBills/index.htm
