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Mark Lazarowicz MP and Alan Whitehead MP joint press release Today (Tuesday 18th October) Mark Lazarowicz MP and Dr Alan Whitehead MP officially launch their Private Members’ Bills to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy, as part of the UK’s efforts to tackle climate change. The “Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill” (sponsored by Mark Lazarowicz) and the “Management of Energy in Buildings Bill” (sponsored by Alan Whitehead) make specific proposals to alleviate fuel poverty, to help people to use energy more efficiently, and to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions. Both MPs were successful in the Private Members Bill ballot earlier this year (Mark was 4thand Alan 9th) and are working together to maximise the change of both bills becoming law. Both MPs feel that taking a joint approach in piloting the bills through Parliament will help the bills get through the House of Commons. The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill places a requirement on the Government to report to Parliament on a yearly basis - and aims to promote renewable energy sources, including microgeneration and renewable heat. Mark Lazarowicz, Labour-Co-operative Party MP, said: “The fact of global warming is now almost universally accepted. We need urgent action climate change. International agreements and international action are necessary and important but we have our own role at home to play too. The UK has committed itself to a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2010, but on recent trends we will struggle to achieve that. That’s why I am taking this Parliamentary opportunity to help put the UK back on track to reach its targets for cutting greenhouse gases, and also to help individual householders play their part in helping to tackle climate change.” The ‘Management of Energy in Buildings Bill‘ by Alan Whitehead MP, seeks to remove obstacles to the development of domestic micro generation - through changes to planning law making permission for small installations automatic, and by amending building regulations to require future new buildings to make a contribution from installed micro generation to the energy consumption of the building. Alan Whitehead MP said “More greenhouse gases are emitted by our homes than from the whole of industry. Changing the way we heat and power our houses will make an enormous contribution to reducing CO2 emissions, and makes good long-term financial sense for households as well. The aim of my Bill is to help householders become generators of power as well as consumers, and save on consumption in energy efficient homes. The Bill enables the introduction of Building Regulations and planning rules that help this to happen on the basis of the same rules for all. I believe that the two Bills, taken together can fundamentally alter the landscape of domestic energy for the better”. The “Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill” and the “Management of Energy in Buildings Bill” are due to be debated in the House of Commons next month (scheduled for Second Reading on 11 November 2005). NOTES FOR EDITORS: 1. The Bills are being launched in Committee Room 17 in the House of Commons at 1.30-2.30pm on Tuesday 18th October. 2. Text of the Bills can be found at www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/pabills.htm Both Bills are supported by a wide range of non-governmental organisations, including Friends of the Earth and the Sustainable Energy Partnership. For NGO comment, contact: Jane Vaus 020 7924 0795 or 077480 10447 3. The Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill - Mr Mark Lazarowicz, supported by Dr Alan Whitehead, Mr Andrew Smith, Mr Peter Ainsworth, Mr Frank Doran, Andrew Stunell, Dr Desmond Turner, Mr Mike Weir, Joan Walley, Alan Simpson, Meg Hillier and Colin Challen, will make provision about the reduction of emissions of greenhouse gases, the alleviation of fuel poverty, the promotion of microgeneration and the introduction of a renewable heat obligation; and for connected purposes. 4. The Management of Energy in Buildings Bill - Dr Alan Whitehead, supported by Mark Lazarowicz, Paddy Tipping, Mr John Denham, Mr Peter Ainsworth, Andrew Stunell, Mr Andrew Robathan, Joan Ruddock, Colin Challen, Annette Brooke, Dr Phyllis Starkey and Martin Salter makes provision about the promotion of renewable and sustainable energy, energy efficiency in buildings and the alleviation of fuel poverty; and for connected purposes. CONTACTS Mark Lazarowicz MP Westminster: 020 7219 8222 Mobile: 07815543826 Alan Whitehead MP Westminster - 0207 219 5079 Southampton – 02380 231 942 NGO comment: Jane Vaus 020 7924 0795 or 077480 10447 or jane.vaus@btinternet.com |
