Welsh Liberal Democrats get green light for green bill

3.47.25pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 22nd Jan 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat AM for Brecon and Radnorshire, Kirsty Williams, has welcomed the Assembly's support for a Welsh Liberal Democrat Private Members Bill on microgeneration.

The Bill, which was passed by the Assembly on Wednesday, will make it easier for Welsh households to generate their own energy.

Ms Williams said: "I believe that this Bill represents a small, but significant, step towards putting Wales at the forefront of the green revolution. It has always struck me as very strange that a satellite dish can be fitted without any fuss, but solar panels, or a small wind turbine need planning permission. Where panels or turbines are small and unobtrusive, there should be no need for energy-sapping bureaucracy - red tape must not be a barrier to green action.

"I hope this piece of legislation will encourage more people who can afford it to install microgeneration technologies. If we can influence a few early adopters, that in turn, will stimulate the market, which will bring down prices for everyone in the longer term. Microgeneration needs to become a crucial part of Wales' energy future. It can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to the diversity and security of energy supply. It can help relieve fuel poverty and improve competition in the energy market. It can change behaviour too, by making people more aware of energy use and its impact on climate change."

Notes:

Proposed by Mike German, Assembly leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, as a private members bill under standing order 31, the motion read "the National Assembly for Wales supports in principle: amending Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, to permit the installation, alteration or replacement of microgeneration technologies in or on a dwelling-house [or within the curtilage of a dwelling-house]. (NDM3399)"