NORTH EAST SET TO BE DRIVER OF ENERGY POLICY UNDER LIB DEMS

Fiona Hall, Energy spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats in the European Parliament, has today welcomed the launch of the new Lib Dem policy paper on UK energy, saying it would put North East England at the heart of new investment. 

‘Energy Independence for the UK’, outlines what steps the Liberal Democrats would take to reduce the UK’s reliance on energy imports, ensuring the security of our energy supply. This includes investing more in renewable energy technology, taking advantage of the UK’s natural resources such as the North Sea, and most importantly driving forward energy efficiency. In the longer term, the Lib Dems would work for a zero carbon Britain by 2050. 

Said Fiona:"Fossil fuels are not only a problem from the point of view of climate change, but also in terms of the security of our energy supply. The UK imports four times more coal than it produces - and gets more coal from Russia than any other EU country does.

 "Renewable energy is the answer. The North East is poised to become the centre for renewable exploitation offshore in the North Sea. Under Lib Dem plans this region would become as important an energy provider as it was in the past.

 “The launch of ‘Energy Independence for the UK’ comes at a time when the UK has to take energy seriously if it is to tackle climate change, fight fuel poverty and safeguard security of supply effectively.

 “I would encourage the Government to take on board the points this policy paper makes and put them into practice immediately.”