Mike Penning is supporting a Private Member's Bill promoting green energy through small scale renewable and sustainable sources.

Hemel MP, Mike Penning will give his support to a Private Member’s Bill being introduced by Conservative MP Peter Ainsworth to encourage the generation of energy from small-scale renewable and sustainable sources. The Bill would enable people and businesses to profit from generating their own energy and aims to remove current legal barriers to microgeneration.

The Bill, which is due for its Second Reading on the 8th May, is intended to help kick-start the market for green energy. It will require the Government to reform planning law, making it easier for home and land owners to place microgeneration units – such as wind turbines and solar panels – on their properties, and will put in place strict safeguards to protect against noise and visual nuisance.

The greater use of green energy will create green jobs, be a boost to small business, and be an environmentally-friendly way out of the current recession.

Mike said:

“I am pleased to be supporting the Green Energy Bill which will help kick-start the wider take-up of green energy, and make it easier for us all to do our bit in reducing carbon emissions.

“Generating our own electricity will also bring fuel bills down which will be good news for everyone.”

The Bill also has the full support of the Micropower Council which represents the microgeneration industry. Commenting on the Bill, Micropower Council Chief Executive Dave Sowden said:

“In these difficult economic times all industries need an impetus to spur on future investment. This Bill will provide this impetus and enable small business and developing technologies to grow.”