I find it very difficult to understand how a government, especially one with a Liberal Democrat heading up DECC, can suddenly pull the rug from under so many people who were planning to do their bit to boost the renewable energy generation in this country. Solar panels make a lot of sense to householders who plan to stay in their property for 10 years or more and can afford the initial outlay. Many of us thought that the Feed In Tariff had been set very high and would need to come down more sharply than originally indicated. But we certainly didn't expect what amounts to a breach of contract in my eyes, if not in the eyes of the law. To halve the rate at 6 weeks notice, when some reputable companies are now quoting 8-10 weeks delivery for a good quality installation, is patently not fair. It's penalising those who've needed time to work out the finances, who've chosen a supplier who can't install at the drop of a hat. Considering that this was going to be the greenest government ever I'm not impressed.
So what's the good news? Well, thousands of pounds being invested in businesses in our area through the regional growth fund. PD Ports, Johnson Matthey, Tioxide, Darchem, Able UK and more - all submitted bids for investment. Once through the due diligence stage that'll safeguard jobs in some and create new jobs in others - excellent news on top of the first round successes. So the government gets some things right - pity it can't get the environmental stuff right too. Because, as Chris Huhne is so fond of telling us, Green Investment produces jobs.
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I absolutely agree Maureen, and to be honest am disappointed to find yours is almost a lone voice in the LibDem blogs saying so.
You may not know that quite a substantial part of the solar industry asked for a 25% cut on all tariffs when Government was reviewing large scale tariffs. This recognised that prices of solar installations have fallen since rates were first set - and would have helped the industry grow at a sustainable rate - not go into melt down as it now probably will. Its not just householders who have signed up for systems that now may be unaffordable, it is people who retrained, or invested in building new companies, or who have building "big Society" style energy coops to improve their local schools and leisure centres who have been cut off at the knees.
I do wonder how Liberal Democrats would have responded if this had been done in a Tory-led department. But whether the decision is ultimately Chris Huhne's or George Osbornes should not matter. More Lib Dems should get some balls and come out and say this is wrong.
Ah yes, Chris Huhne. An honourable man? The man who got his (now ex) wife to take the blame for his motoring offences, then lied about it. The man who tried to make a fool of Teressa May, then lied about it. The man who suggested that motorway speed limits should be increased to 80mph, but only for electric cars. (how many electric cars do you know that can travel at 80mph. thers is one, it will do 80 for a few miles then requires recharging for 24 hours, and costs £90k).
He has been described as "not merely ignorant but positively dangerous" by people who really understand this countries energy needs. His recent speach to RenewableUK was so full of technical errors that it showed he is completely unfit to fill his post. His speech was described as "technically illiterate".
This numbty is deciding the future energy needs of our country, yet he is a complete dimwitt.
This is what happens when a failed journalist is shoved into a position of power, just to satisfy the political requirements of a minority party.
This country needs to be led by great people, people of intelligence, not slimy little creeps like huhne.
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