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The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) have just informed Elmhurst and other Accreditation Schemes of a number of amendments to the Energy Performance of Buildings (England & Wales) Regulations 2012. The shocking news is that the statutory lodgement fees for lodging data onto the Landmark Register are up by up to 63%! Not only this, but the revised fees are set to begin on the 6th April 2016, giving just 11 working days
Elmhurst member's will be aware of the recent consultation proposals on the Renewal Heat Incentive, for which comments are required by 27th April (see here), however someone has decided we shouldn't wait for the consulation to close and some changes will come into force on 24th March 2016. Three points are likely to be of specific interest to Elmhurst Members: 1. RHI applications no longer require Green Deal Assessments The current requirement that domestic RHI applications
George Osborne delivered his latest budget and criticism has been noticeable aimed at the large tax breaks given to oil and gas exploration in the North Sea. As the Government seek to protect jobs as well as drive tax revenue from selling more gas and oil. Mr Osborne was also criticised for using the expression ‘this is a budget for future generations’ but avoided any major policy decisions which drives the UK on towards the
During the Autumn, the Government renewed its commitment to a low carbon economy by confirming a continued budget for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme. As part of the commitment, a review has been taking place to ensure the scheme meets its objectives. A consultation has been undertaken and a DECC consultation document has now been published. This confirms that RHI is central to the Government’s plans to help develop secure, affordable and clean energy.
The UK is legally bound to by the Climate Change act, which requires an 80% cut in emissions by 2050 At Paris in December 2015 countries committed to further reduce global emissions down from peak levels as soon as possible and ultimately "net zero emissions". Andrea Leadsom, the Minister of State at Department of Energy and Climate stated in parliament "The government believes that we will need to take the step of enshrining the Paris
It is now 10 years since RdSAP was officially recognised by Government. The EU ‘Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD)’ forced member states to implement laws to reduce energy use in buildings across Europe. The 2 articles that drove Energy Performance Certificates forward were the following: Article 7 “...when buildings are constructed, sold or rented out, an energy performance certificate is made available to the owner or by the owner to the prospective buyer or
The Energy & Climate Change Committee (ECC) have warned the Government that they must restore investor confidence in the UK energy sector. They claim that there is increased nervousness among some investors looking at energy projects in the UK. Their confidence is dented by a series of sudden policy changes since the election. Angus MacNeil MP, chair of the ECC stated “Billions of pounds of investment is needed in order to replace ageing energy infrastructure,
The government have just reported their findings and recommendations to remove "red tape" from the energy sector. Most of the report is actually concerned with the supply side of the industry (generation and distribution), as opposed to reducing demand, but two points do relate to the activities of Elmhurst Members. It is suggested that: 1) There is overlap between schemes such as CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme [CRC] and Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme [ESOS] and the
A leading think tank has suggested to Government that stamp duty should be less for energy efficient homes than leaky inefficient ones. The Policy Exchange which is close to Government states that this change would likely see 270,000 households a year improve their energy efficiency. The report states “Policies which link property values more closely to energy performance could kick-start an energy efficiency revolution in this country. Improving home energy efficiency can save households money,
In figures release today the House Builders Federation (HBF) have announced that 242,819 permissions were granted in the 12 months to October 2015. This is the highest ‘moving annual’ total since early 2008. To caveat this number, the HBF do state that these permissions still have a long way to go through the planning process. This is something that they wish to streamline. HBF state that there were “181,000 new homes built in 2014/15 –