If anyone fancies writing to their MP, here's a good starting point - this is what I've written to my MP. (Use this website to send by email - you don't even need to print out and post the letter - ttp://www.writetothem.com/ ):
Dear Mr. Davies,
I hope you don't mind my writing to you, but from previous correspondence, I believe you have an interest in renewables.
As you may know, I am the founder and director of the largest supplier of small scale renewables in the UK and as such, have a vested interest in the UK renewables market. You are probably aware of the government proposals for FITs (feed in tariffs - ie guaranteeing a favourable payment for exported power from solar, wind, hydro etc. Incidentally, the rates are different for different technologies).
In principle, I am in favour of the FITs (although the way they will not be awarded to people who have already implemented this technology is disgraceful, and will create expensive, inefficient bureaucracy which will cost more than applying FITs fairly). However, I am very concerned that FITs should be linked to membership of the government quango BRE's MCS scheme. The MCS scheme looks great to outsiders, but in reality, the standards relate to QUALITY OF PAPERWORK rather than QUALITY OF INSTALLATION. The MCS scheme is very expensive, as there are many hidden costs, which to an installer will add up to around £8k, and for a manufacturer or distributor will add up to £80 - 500k. Clearly, this will substantially push up the cost of small scale renewables, and feed hard-earned cash into quango coffers instead of renewables.
My complaint is that stakeholders like myself, are being required to spend vast sums of money now in preparation for a scheme which is currently only a proposal. The consultation was concluded in October and we were promised an announcement by the DECC at the beginning of December. There was an announcement in the middle of December - that there would be an announcement at the beginning of January. When questioned, the spokeperson was unaware of the December deadline and declined to comment. Now, we haven't had any announcement in January, just an presumption that there will be an annoucement in February...maybe -
http://www.newenergyfocus.com/do/ecco/view_item?listid=1&listcatid=32&listitemid=3465§ion=Policy Perhaps I expect too much of our political system, but I would really hope that if the government did its job properly, that they would be punctual in their announcements, fulfilling their own deadlines, and concentrate on providing renewables the foothold it needs to get started in the UK rather than hijacking it to prevent it from ever doing so. I am hoping that you might ask in The House why the DECC is allowed to conduct it's business with such a lackadaisical attitude, and why the government produces hard-hitting headlines on renewables, and then allows organisations such as the BRE to feather their own nests directly and indirectly on tax-payers hard-earned cash, to an extent that makes renewables non-cost effective.
Yours sincerely,
Ivan Lucas
