Councils-to-sell-energy plans floated

Author: Local Government Chronicle - Mar 3, 2010

Councils could be allowed to sell energy generated by renewable sources under proposals designed to boost local government’s green credentials.

Ministers want to encourage local authorities to play "a full part in the development of renewable heat and electricity" and have kicked off a consultation which closes in June.

Under the existing regulatory regime, councils are not allowed to sell the electricity but a commitment was made in Heat & Energy Savings Strategy consultation published in February 2009 to review this.

Any changes will require secondary legislation.

A statement said: "This consultation asks interested stakeholders to consider the merits of a change to this situation by allowing local authorities from across Great Britain to sell electricity generated by renewable sources.

"It also looks at some of the issues that local authorities will need to consider if they want to take advantage of any change in the provision."

The consultation, being jointly conducted by Department of Energy & Climate Change and the Welsh Assembly Government, is available here.

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