Celia welcomes green grants

The government announced the next stage of its £12 million microgeneration fund, the Low Carbon Building Programme.

It is aimed to reduce the 40% of our carbon emissions that currently come from the home: the gas and electricity that heat our houses, our water, and run our appliances.

Celia Barlow MP said: "This scheme is an important step in keeping Britain on course to meet our targets to fight climate change by cutting emissions by 30% by 2020.

It will also help the many new local businesses in Hove who are specialising in innovative green technologies". This fund means that homeowners can apply for grants of up to £2,000 to fund the installation of mini-turbines, photovoltaic solar cells and other devices to generate electricity and heat for the home from renewable sources.

Anyone can apply, and the scheme has already helped fund 2175 installations on homes up and down the country. This scheme is just the beginning: with the help of these grants, says Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling, the government will "maximise carbon savings, demonstrate potential and help the sector become more commercially competitive in the long term."