Grayson on Local Environmental Innovation
November 15, 2009 12:00 AM
Dr Richard Grayson last Friday visited local sites of environmental innovation with fellow Liberal Democrats. He did so during a visit to the Hemel, Watford and St Albans Liberal Democrats by the party's Shadow Secretary of State for the Environment and Climate Change, Simon Hughes MP.
The purpose of the visit was to discuss new initiatives made by those who are at the cutting-edge of developing more sustainable ways of living. They visited the low-carbon head office of Renewable Energy Systems Ltd (RES) in Kings Langley, and the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in Watford.
The HQ of RES, is a 'low-carbon' headquarters, centred on the prominent wind turbine, but also using other forms of sustainable energy. At BRE, a number of low-energy homes were visited, including the zero-carbon 'Lighthouse'.
Dr Grayson said:
It is excellent to see green innovation in our own local area. The work that RES and the BRE are doing is crucial if we are to tackle climate change head on. Sadly, the Labour government has been woefully timid on the environment. It has been one of their weakest performances in government.
One of the most important points which came through from the visit to RES was the way in which the planning process blocks the development of wind turbines, despite most local people supporting them in most areas. Too often, a vocal, well-organised minority blocks the kind of renewable energy that is essential for our future. There is a responsibility on all politicians to ensure that the views of the vast but silent majority are heard on this issue. That's vital to ensure the provision of clean, safe and sustainable energy.
At BRE we learnt of the importance of the research they are doing on developing more sustainable homes. Such research is essential because it often doesn't quite work the first time it's tried, and the practical innovation they do at BRE makes good ideas practical.
Liberal Democrats want to see a massive programme of investment in renewable energy sources such as wind, wave and solar. We'll also invest now in the green technologies of the future delivering hundreds of thousands of new and better jobs in the years to come. That will help to create a zero-carbon Britain.
Also on the visit were the Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidates for Watford and St Albans, Sal Brinton and Sandy Walkington.
Further details on RES and BRE are at:
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