News / In brief – 27 February, 2010
Short-changed
PEOPLE who showed initiative by installing solar panels or wind turbines early are being “short-changed” by the government’s new feed-in tariff payments, according to northern isles MP Alistair Carmichael.
Under the government’s recently announced Clean Energy Cashback scheme new feed-in-tariff payment rates of up to 41.3p/kW will only apply to people who installed their technology after 15 July 2009. Those who installed their renewable technology before this date will only receive 9p/kW.
When Mr Carmichael challenged the government on the unfairness of paying a lower rate to those who showed initiative, energy and climate change minister Joan Ruddock said the government’s priority had to be encouraging more people to install renewable technology.
“Those who have already taken the initiative on their own account will not be producing more generation, and the government’s aim has to be to get more in place and to create the incentive to make that happen,” the minister said.
After the debate Mr Carmichael said: “If the government is serious about wanting people to develop small scale renewable energy projects then they will have to treat everyone fairly instead of punishing those who demonstrate initiative and commitment.”
Quota fears recede
THE FEAR that Wealthy foreign fishing companies could take over Scottish and Shetland fishing interests in the North Sea have abated after concessions were made in the European Parliament last week.
Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson last week raised concerns over new proposals over access rights and individual transferable quotas during a debate about reform of the Common Fisheries Policy in the European Parliament.
After the debate, Mr Stevenson said: “I am delighted that we have won key concessions on the two crucial areas that were giving concern to UK fishermen, namely access and
transferable quotas. I was heartened by the reply to the debate today by the commissioner where she stressed that small-scale and local fisheries would be top of her agenda for protection under the reformed CFP.
“She also said that she wants to have further discussion and consultation with the European Parliament’s fisheries committee on the whole question of quotas and transferable rights. While the definitive vote on the white paper will not take place until later next year, it is clear there are many more months of dialogue and discussion ahead.”
Befriending
THE SHETLAND Befriending Scheme, which provides one to one support to young people aged seven to 25, is looking to expand its new service in the north of the isles.
A pilot project in Shetland’s north mainland and north isles last year trained up seven volunteers, and with demand in the area growing the organisation may recruit more volunteers later this year.
Meanwhile new volunteers are being sought for the Lerwick area, with training starting in May. Anyone interested can contact Amanda Rosie on 01595 743964 or befriending@shetland.org.
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