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Assembly Work to Generate South West Energy Action Plan
PRESS RELEASE
SWRA/03.07/133 05 March 2007
In response to the impending energy crisis, the South West Regional Assembly is taking the lead in creating a sustainable future for the region by developing an Energy Action Plan. The plan will draw together key priorities for the region, which is leading the energy agenda nationally.
At the last full Assembly meeting, which focussed on energy issues in the region, Members voted unanimously to create an energy task group dedicated to pushing forward the creation of an action plan.
The South West already has a number of regional strategies and action plans on specific parts of the energy agenda. However, the Assembly has recognised that the region does not have a clearly identified energy action plan, which is what Members will now work towards putting in place.
There are already a number of areas where the South West has taken significant steps forward around the energy agenda and we are seen as the leading region in many parts of the agenda.
Examples include developing wave and tidal resources, particularly the Wavehub project off the north coast of Cornwall; strong planning policies for renewables in the draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS); and strong policies in the draft RSS requiring new developments to be low or zero carbon – something which central Government is now following in the Assembly’s footsteps by encouraging.
There are a number of issues coming up on which the group will be able to initiate a regional response. These include the publication of the Energy White Paper which will include whether or not to build a new generation of nuclear power stations. A report on tidal energy by the Sustainable Development Commission is also expected to be published, which will include a study on the feasibility of the Severn Barrage.
The ‘Energy Task and Finish group’ is being formed by Members who also sit on the Assembly’s Regional Futures Group. They will identify key activities to be undertaken by regional stakeholders.
The first meeting takes place tomorrow (Tuesday 6 March 2007) at the Thistle Hotel in Exeter, starting at 10am. The meeting is open to the public.
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Laura Bridger, Communications Officer on 01823 425267 or email:
laura.bridger@southwest-ra.gov.uk