Latest News
CEP's latest press releases are shown below.
For earlier press releases, please follow the link above.
Is this a Green Revolution?
27th June 2008
Last week, the Prime Minister announced plans for a “Green Revolution”, which could bring thousands of well-paid jobs to Cornwall. But the plans will not be put into action for at least two years because the government wants to allow time for consultation.
Britain is one of the windiest places in Europe, but it currently ranks 25th out of 27 countries with only 2% of its power coming from renewable energy. Ian Smith, who runs Cornish charity Community Energy Plus says this is due to confused policies and a lack of vision from successive governments:
“The Prime Minister has spoken of a 'Green Revolution', but it takes more than just words to start a revolution. The government must remove the contradictions in its own policies, such as the Warm Front scheme which is still installing expensive oil fired heating systems for rural pensioners.”
The decision to spend two years on consultation has caused frustration in Cornwall, which stands to cash in when the plans are finally put into action.
“Cornwall has a better supply of wind, waves, tides, sunshine and farmland than anywhere else in the country” says Tim German, director of the Cornwall Sustainable Energy Partnership. “But we currently spend £1 billion every year on imported gas, oil and electricity. If we produced more of this power ourselves, it would be worth hundreds of pounds for every home in the county, so we can’t afford to spend two years just talking about it.”
Cut the cost of driving
23rd June 2008
This month, hundreds of Cornish fuel stations ran dry, causing chaos across the county. But now the pumps are back in action, it still costs over £60 to fill an average family car, so what can you do to save money?
The easiest answer is to leave the car at home. Walk or cycle for short trips – some employers even run schemes to encourage cycling to work.
Think again about public transport. It can be expensive, but petrol prices have increased 20% in the last year, so it might save you money. Have you considered driving to a station then catching the train? You could save yourself the cost of parking near work too.
But if you really have to drive, how can you reduce the £1,500 annual petrol bill for a typical car driving 20 miles each way from home to work?
Clear out the boot. Extra weight wastes fuel – save £50
Check your air pressure. Under-inflated tyres increase drag – save £75
Use air conditioning sparingly (but don’t open the windows!) – save £100
Look ahead. Anticipate hazards and decelerate smoothly – save £150
Slow down! Driving at 60mph uses 20% less fuel than at 70mph – save £200
Ask your employer about working from home one day per week – save: £300
Share the journey with someone else (www.carsharecornwall.com) – save £750
Next time you change your car, look for the label. All cars since 2001 are now banded from A to G for fuel efficiency just like washing machines and fridges.
For free, impartial advice on energy efficiency at home or on the move, call Cornwall’s Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512012.
Too good to be true?
13th June 2008
Local residents have raised concerns about door-to-door salespeople offering grants for home insulation. Many claim to be selling totally free products, but is there a catch?
Julia Tibbett, manager of Cornwall’s Energy Efficiency Advice Centre says there really is free insulation available:
“The reality is that the utiltiy companies have agreed to spend millions of pounds to help cut our fuel bills. However, many customers have not come forward to claim their share of the money, so door-to-door “salespeople” have been enlisted to help out.
“If you own your own home or rent from a private landlord, you are eligible for a grant towards the cost of insulating your loft or cavity walls. If anyone in the household is over 70 or receives certain benefits, a 100% grant is available.”
But Julia understands why many residents are wary of signing up to anything on the doorstep:
“We’ve all been told there’s no such thing as a free lunch, so people are right to check the facts before signing on the dotted line. The Energy Efficiency Advice Centre offers impartial advice on all the schemes available, including grants for new central heating systems.”
For free, impartial advice on household energy efficiency, waste, water, transport and renewables call the Cornwall EEAC on 0800 512012.
It pays to be Green!
10th April 2008
A retired salvage diver from Port Isaac has won a year’s council tax simply by replying to an energy efficiency survey. Download in PDF Format
YMCA Goes Green
28th March 2008
Friday’s strong winds gave an impressive display from a new wind turbine at the YMCA’s open day in Penzance. Download in PDF Format
Cut your fuel bills and win back your council tax for a whole year!
17th March 2008
Time is running out for Cornish residents to enter a competition to have their council tax paid for a whole year. Download in PDF Format
Have your say on next phase of Tolvaddon Business Park
3rd March 2008
An open afternoon next Thursday (13th, 3-8pm) will give local residents and workers the chance to find out more about the planned expansion of Tolvaddon Business Park. Download in PDF Format
Heatwave Forecast for Isles of Scilly
3rd March 2008
Temperatures are set to rise across the Isles of Scilly as a team of engineers visit to install solar panels, heat pumps and insulation to hundreds of homes. Download in PDF Format
Jubilee Hall plugs in to the sun
26th February 2008
Local residents gathered in Mount last weekend to celebrate the installation of solar panels on the Warleggan Jubilee Hall. Download in PDF Format
Free Home Insulation For All Residents In Cornwall
Over 70
Wednesday 2nd January 2008
As part of new government funding to eradicate fuel poverty and save carbon emissions, all residents in Cornwall aged 70 years or over are eligible for free home insulation. Download in PDF Format
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