More progress made on Richard's campaign for alternative renewable heating sources for "off gas grid" properties

Over recent months, Richard has been campaigning to ensure that the Government introduces changes to make renewable liquid heating fuel a more viable source of heating for people whose homes are not connected to the gas energy grid. In a rural constituency this is an important issue as many properties use energy which is "off grid", do not have access to a mains gas supply and rely on alternative means for heating their homes. Details of the steps which have been taken to date are set out here: 

Richard supports Bill to give residents who live "off grid" more options for cost-effective heat in their homes whilst reducing carbon emissions | Richard Fuller

Richard's support for alternative renewable heating sources for "off gas grid" properties | Richard Fuller

As set out in the above links, Richard has been supporting amendments to the Energy Bill designed to bring about legislative changes and on Tuesday, the Energy Bill returned to the House of Commons.

Before the debate, the Government introduced its own amendment to the Bill which represented an important step in the right direction and conceded that there was a need for change. The Government has agreed that it will extend the provisions of the 2004 Energy Act so that the renewable fuel obligation can cover domestic heating in off gas grid homes as well as transport.  This achieves the same as the amendments which Richard has supported previously.

This amendment provides the Government with the powers to introduce, by regulation, measures that would impose obligations on heating fuel suppliers to supply specified amounts of renewable liquid heating fuel within specified periods. These powers will give the Government the option to support the use of renewable liquid fuels as a lower carbon alternative to fossil fuels, like kerosene, which are currently used for heat by customers off the gas grid.

The Government will now launch a consultation on these measures and during the debate, Richard asked the Energy Minister about the consultation and the need for prompt action to introduce the legislation: Energy Bill - YouTube

Speaking after the debate, Richard said:

These changes represent an important change for constituents. The Government has accepted the case for change on this issue and I was pleased to secure a meeting with the Energy Minister so that we can now look at the detail and move ahead not only with the consultation but also the introduction of the changes themselves.