NORTH EAST MEP WANTS JOINED-UP THINKING ON RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE REGION (Fiona Hall MEP)

Fiona Hall MEP <info@fionahall.org.uk>

NORTH EAST MEP WANTS JOINED-UP THINKING ON RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE REGION

September 28, 2005 12:00 AM

Liberal Democrat Euro-MP for the North East, Fiona Hall, has called for joined up thinking from the European Commission so that pilot renewable energy projects in the region.

Speaking in a debate in the European Parliament today on oil price hikes, Fiona called on the Commission to come forward with a properly integrated policy on energy, transport, industry, taxation and agriculture in order to make full-scale development of renewables possible.

Fiona said:

"We have the successful beginnings of a biodiesel industry in the Tees Valley where very high-yield oil seed rape grows right next to an existing petrochemical industry.

"In this region we already have the start of a Green Route of filling stations supplying diesel fuel which is 5% biodiesel. But there isn't yet the infrastructure or the capacity or the tax regime to roll out that biodiesel programme everywhere."

Fiona also called on Europe Minister Douglas Alexander MP to make sure that the forthcoming directive on energy efficiency had "big teeth".

She said:

"Oil demand will not go down unless there is practical action on both renewables and energy efficiency. This directive needs to have serious, binding commitments on energy reduction. I want to see it stimulating a rapid growth in the North East's energy efficiency businesses, and jobs created as a result."