Friday 27 July 2012

Local authorities urged to play their part in the Green Deal and ECO

businessgreen — July 27th 2012

DECC launches guide to help local councils draw up plans to promote greater energy efficiency.
Local authorities will be expected to draw up plans to boost energy efficiency in their areas, under government proposals designed to help ensure the success of its forthcoming Green Deal scheme.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) yesterday issued new guidance for local councils in England to help them improve the energy efficiency of their housing stock.

The government hopes local authorities will plan a key role in ensuring the widespread take-up of the Green Deal energy efficiency loan scheme and ECO scheme, which places a requirement on energy companies to help people in fuel poverty to install measures such as insulation.

Under the Home Energy Conservation Act, councilors are required to publish a report on their plans to achieve improved energy efficiency by 31 March 2013. But the guidance also asks councils to consider how other organisations such as social housing providers could play a part in the plans.

Minister visits energy efficiency makeover estate

24dash — July 27th 2012

A Government Minister has visited a Milton Keynes housing estate to see first hand how energy efficiency measure are transforming the lives of local residents.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker met tenants from The Lakes Estate this week - where nearly 50 council-owned homes are undergoing refurbishment as part of a £7.7m project to make them warmer and greener.

The work, which includes installing double glazing, external wall insulation and new cladding, replacing boilers and installing new warm flat roofs, is being carried out by Apollo, part of the housing and regeneration company Keepmoat, on behalf of Milton Keynes Council.

Barry Clay, Contracts Manager for Keepmoat, said: "Energy Efficiency is high on the agenda right now and Keepmoat are highly experienced at providing this type regeneration work.

Wednesday 25 July 2012

The Green Deal receives House of Lords approval

homeheatingguide.co.uk — July 25th 2012

By approving the framework underpinning the Green Deal another milestone has been passed leaving the Government's revolutionary home insulation retrofit scheme on track for its October launch.

In a statement DECC said "in our consultation response, we confirmed Governments intention to introduce the Green Deal through supporting a responsible and controlled approach with full national systems testing, this is to ensure the market has the opportunity to build steadily.

From 8th August the Green Deal Oversight and registration Body will begin registering assessors, providers and installers. Ahead of the opening Register of Green Deal Participants, we will publish the Green Deal Provider Authorisation Guidance - essential reading for potential Green Deal providers on what they need to do to become established and authorised in the role."

The statement went on to reveal that authorised and accredited assessors will be able to start operating from October, so that by the end of January 2013 - when the relevant parts of the framework regulations are set to come into effect - consumers wanting to take up the scheme will be in a position to complete a Green Deal Plan.