Reducing Fuel Costs in Somerset

6.16.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Jul 2010

'In a rural community many of us live in houses which don't have access to a range of cheaper fuel sources. Solar technology and funding is available now ( See Feed in Tariffs from National Government: www.fitariffs.co.uk). The problem is one of making this accessible to the people of Somerset.

At a recent Scrutiny Committee meeting, Councillor John Bailey asked a question about the new Energy Policy ' How can councillors and the County Council make a difference to the fuel options of Somerset people?'

Unfortunately the current administration was unable to give a commitment to improve accessibility

to the latest technology which could help people;

• Reduce fuel costs

• Generate our own hot water or electricity

• Make an contribution to Reducing your individual carbon footprint and that of Somerset.

In a further blow to reducing Fuel Costs in the County the prospective Sell off of County Farms will threaten the introduction of Wind Turbines on the Estate estimated to generate up to £270,000 pa. for the County Council.

Councillor John Bailey said ' I am sure many residents will be disappointed in this response. I hope they will let their views be known and that the lack of commitment of the current administration to the future can be changed.''