News Release
For immediate release
Cameron McNeish, President of Ramblers' Association Scotland, today called for immediate action by the First Minister to restore funding to the Scottish Community and Householders Renewables Initiative (SCHRI)(1).
Cameron McNeish said: "It is absolute scandal that this fund has run out of cash. No way should householders, community groups and the microgeneration industry have to wait until next April for more government cash to be put into this fund. If the First Minister believes in taking action on climate change he needs to demonstrate that commitment now and tell his Ministers to find the cash immediately."
Cameron McNeish contrasted this news with the unrelenting and excessive financial support given to the multinational energy companies:
"I find it incredible that news about a Scottish fund designed to support renewable energy development in a sound and sensitive way runs out of cash in the same week that the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee condemns the excessive amounts of money that are being handed over to the multinational energy companies to plaster the Scottish hills in giant wind turbines. The government has got its priorities on renewable energy development completely wrong.
"While Gordon Brown cannot stop himself shovelling mountains of cash towards the destroyers of the Scottish landscape poor Jack McConnell is left with a few pence to help local people and local industries in their efforts to cut fuel costs and protect the planet from climate change. It looks like big industry and not politicians are deciding on our future."
ENDS
Notes
(1)
The Scottish Community and Householders Renewables Initiative (SCHRI) offers grants, advice and practical support for small-scale renewable energy schemes for householders and communities.
Since 2002 it has allocated over £5million to around 700 projects.
The executive is giving an extra £2.2million, but that will not be available until April 2006.
Householders can claim 30% of the cost of a project up to a maximum of £4,000. Community grants are assessed on a case-by-case basis and are usually around the 50% mark.
