News
45,000th LED Street Light Installed in Nottinghamshire
Wed, 1 August 2018
Nottinghamshire got its 45,000th new LED street light during July, marking the latest stage of the County Council’s street light replacement project to convert all old-style, low pressure sodium lights to new, efficient LEDs. Mansfield residents, including Lonan Close, Forest Town, where the 45,000th LED light was fitted, are benefitting from a full conversion of all 13,500 lights to new energy-saving LED street lights and up to 500 new columns across the town.
Nottinghamshire County Council’s energy-saving project to replace half of the county’s 94,000 street lights is already saving tax payers around £1.5m each year in reduced energy bills, enough to power over 3,500 homes for a year or drive an electric vehicle more than 2,200 times around the world. Carbon emissions have been reduced by 12,000 tonnes. The new LED’s require very little maintenance, are generally between 60-70 per cent more efficient and have a longer lifespan.
Plans for Network of Electric Vehicle Charging Points in Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire
Fri, 20 July 2018
More than 200 public electric vehicle charging points could be installed in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire by 2020 thanks to funding from national government.
Following a successful bid by Nottinghamshire County Council, together with Nottingham City and Derby City councils to the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) for £6.1m, around £2m of this money could be used to install the network of around 230 charging points. Work is already underway to identify potential locations, assess their feasibility and install the equipment. It is currently proposed that many of the charging points are located in off-street car parks. The county council is also looking at the possibility of installing charging points at its own sites.
This comes of the back of government plans to end the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040. The recently published Road to Zero strategy builds on this with an ambition to see at least half of new cars be ultra-low emission by 2030.
Councillor Kay Cutts, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: 'The objectives of the funding are to deliver significant air quality benefits, reduce carbon emissions and create ultra-low emission vehicle related growth opportunities for car manufacturing and businesses, both locally and beyond. The County Council is aiming to ensure that its residents and businesses can realise the benefits of the government plans by helping to deliver cleaner air, a better environment and growth within this economic sector.'
Other plans for the funding include providing grants, loans and advice to support businesses to introduce electric vehicle charging at workplaces, an expansion of the public sector’s electric vehicle fleet, and a programme of targeted promotional events.
Electric Buses Hit Nottinghamshire
Fri, 13 July 2018
Pupils from two schools in Toton and Beeston were the first passengers to ride on Nottinghamshire’s first-ever electric buses after taking part in a competition to name them. The youngsters took the trip on the newly named 'Eco Buzz' and 'The Eco Traveller' for an event at Toton Lane Park & Ride to celebrate the first day of service for the buses. The new buses run on the 510/511 bus routes.
More information and timetables: https://bit.ly/2J8oDKi
Live in High Peak area? Would You Shop in a Zero Waste Shop?
Fri, 13 July 2018
A member of Transition Buxton is looking to open a zero waste shop in the High Peak area. It could offer dried goods in refillable containers and household cleaning products from a refill station. If you live in the area he would appreciate it if you could fill in a short survey to help him decide if there is enough demand for such a shop and, if so, what it should sell: https://bit.ly/2u2MrEZ
New Fantastic Home Energy Efficiency Exhibition
Fri, 6 July 2018
A popular energy efficiency exhibition which has offered advice to more than 23,000 people in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire over the last nine years is going to be refurbished thanks to a grant. Marches Energy Agency (MEA), the charity which runs the exhibition, known as the Fantastic Home, has been given almost £10,000 by Awards for All to refit the vehicle which houses the exhibition and create new, interactive displays. The Fantastic Home also receives regular funding from the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Local Authority Energy Partnership, which is made up of all the local authorities in the area.
Caroline Harmon, of MEA, said: ‘The Fantastic Home is really popular at community events across the two counties and provides a fun way to learn about living in a eco-friendly way. Over the years we’ve helped people to better understand how to keep their home warm and energy efficient; how to lower their energy bills; and how to make use of renewables at home. This funding will help us update the van to reflect new developments such as electric vehicles, LED lighting and battery storage for renewable energy. We’ll also still be able to advise on keeping warm in your home and what to do if you’re struggling to pay your energy bills.’
To find out more contact Caroline Harmon