Energy Bill needs a boost

Caroline Lucas, MP (as Leader of the Green Party) has recently blogged in her regular environment column in The Guardian that the Government needs to take more action on its commitment to energy efficiency.

She commented on the Energy Bill as being “an important piece of legislation that has the potential to transform the energy efficiency of our homes, improve energy security and set us on the right track towards a low-carbon economy." But she insists it will require more detailed and closer attention from the Government: “Turning that potential into reality, however, will require far greater political will and resources than have been evident in the committee meetings so far." Lucas has been appointed onto the Energy Bill Committee and is using this to drive forward in the Country’s efficiency. She pushed forward an amendment whereby the lowest bands of energy efficient housing would be pushed out of the rental market so that only the top two energy bands would be left in an attempt to “provide reassurance for privately renting tenants that poor quality housing will be weeded out once and for all, and help landlords by giving them a clear timetable for ongoing efficiency improvements." However with the Government planning to phase out the Warm Front scheme in 2013 and the new energy company obligation (ECO) lacking in focus and detail, Lucas said it is clear the Government needs to focus on greater commitment. She adds: “Ultimately, if we get this right, we can hope for huge improvements in the energy efficiency of our housing, to the social benefit of tenants, the economic benefit of landlords and the environmental benefit of reduced emissions from housing. When a win-win-win scenario like this is on offer, it's hard to understand why the government would let it go begging."