Southampton Pushes Ahead With Solar Energy Plans

Southampton City Council is pushing ahead with ambitious plans to install solar panels on schools, blocks of council flats and civic buildings.

This will mean cheaper energy for schools and ultimately the taxpayer, as well as being good news for the environment and a boost to business and jobs.

By installing solar PV we will also benefit by selling spare energy to the national grid and will earn money through the government's feed in tarrif (FiT), money that will help us meet the challenge of reduced council budgets and protect services to residents.

The decision to press ahead comes despite an announcement by government that they might bring forward the date at which they reduce the funding through the FiT, to 12th December from April as previously planned.

Because Southampton is ahead of schedule and through skillful procurement, we will be able to excelerate our scheme, with panels starting to go up as early as next week. This will mean we get the best return for our local investment possible.

Click HERE for further details.

Meeting Students At Totton College

Yesterday I had the chance to meet with teachers and students at Totton College. I talked to second year General Studies students and answered their questions on a range of subjects, such as the environment and the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, public transport and freedom of speech.

Totton College is one of many colleges in Hampshire which has been badly let down by the government. Like Southampton colleges it was promised a multi million pound rebuild and then had the plug pulled on the funds. Although not in the Southampton Test constituency Totton College attracts a considerable number of students from the city.

£1.8m Package to Insulate Local Homes

In December I launched a new scheme with the Southampton City Council and the energy company E-ON to provide free insulation for all private rented homes in the city. The £1.8 million scheme will help insulate over 3,000 homes.

This is a huge investment that will make a real difference to thousands of residents, many of whom are vulnerable people struggling to heat their homes.

By insulating homes for free we will ensure that fuels bills are cut. As well as keeping people warm, it is great news for the environment.

Greenpeace Welcomes the Conservative Energy Vision for Southampton

A week after Southampton's new Conservative Council Administration launched its green energy for the city, Greenpeace is teaming up with the City Council and energy company Utilicom to promote sustainable power and energy.

Tomorrow night the DeVere Grand Harbour will play host to over a hundred councillors, MPs and environmental experts who will be meeting to discuss how combined heat and power (CHP)schemes such as one in Southampton can be used to cut carbon emissions.

Councillor Gavin Dick (pictured above), Conservative Environment Cabinet Member said Councillor will be speaking at the event, promoting the work of Southampton City Council and encouraging others to back Southampton's green energy vision. He said: "Southampton is leading the way on sustainable energy thanks to the city`s CHP network, and we are delighted to be able to promote this success in the hope that other local authorities and businesses will learn from our own experiences."

Click HERE for Southampton City Council's press release on the subject.

Click HERE for coverage on environmental website Tenbees.