Community energy fund overshadowed by solar cuts16 December 2011
New cash for clean energy and less waste - while solar subsidies are cut.
Friends of the Earth says the Government is sending out mixed messages on clean energy.
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne this month announced a new community clean energy fund - just as the ministry made plans to halve subsidies for solar electricity.
Cutting incentives to go solar
The £30m fund to help communities with energy efficiency and renewable energy is welcome. But Friends of the Earth is critical of proposals to cut incentives to invest in solar panels.
Energy Campaigner Donna Hume said ministers must rethink their confusing plans if they want to be taken seriously in the energy debate.
The new fund's rules mean it will do little to save the countless community clean energy schemes and jobs already abandoned because of the Feed-in Tariff cut.
Donna Hume, Energy Campaigner, Friends of the Earth
We believe the Government should:
• Rethink its solar plans.
• Give more help to green energy projects.
• Investigate the market domination of the Big Six energy companies.
How you can help
Please call on the Government to support clean British energy and a public inquiry into the Big Six energy firms' power over consumers. Thank you.
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