News

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FUNDING: Peoples Millions Open for Applications

The Big Lottery Fund and ITV have launched the People's Millions public voting competition for 2014. This year organisations can apply for up to £50,000 for projects that help communities to enjoy, as well as transform, their local environment. The competition is open until 13 May.  

 
People will get the chance to vote for those projects they want to see funded in the region, when they are screened on the ITV regional news between 25th & 27th November Projects categories include ‘to make the local environment cleaner, safer or greener’
 
www.peoplesmillions.org.uk or 0845 0 10 11 12

 

Changes to Regulations May Affect Financing for Community Energy Schemes

thumbTwo recent financial regulatory announcements could affect the ability of community energy projects to raise income and offer an attractive return to their investors.

 
Firstly, the Chancellor announced in the budget that the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) tax relief currently available to renewable energy projects will be removed from projects qualifying for ROCs and RHI. This is because EIS is intended to stimulate investment in high-risk projects, and those receiving payments in the form of ROCs or RHI are not deemed high-risk.
 
Secondly, a new set of rules has been published by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) stating that companies that want to raise money through selling shares will need to show that they are promoting their investment to those who really understand investment and the risks involved, otherwise known as ‘sophisticated investors’. This has come about due to the rise in crowdfunding schemes across a whole range of project types, although community energy schemes will certainly be caught up in it. However if your organisation is set up as an IPS then you are exempt from the changes.
 
More about the changes and how they might affect your activities: 
www.cse.org.uk/news/view/1821

 

Youth Community Energy Catalysts

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Centre for Sustainable Energy has teamed up with the UK Youth Climate Coalition to run a project aiming to connect 20 young adults with 20 community energy mentors from across England. Youth Community Energy Catalysts aims to help young adults to develop skills and understanding of sustainable energy, while at the same time helping community energy groups to benefit from the assistance of a young and enthusiastic volunteer. The young adults will participate in a free training course before being matched with an energy group in their local area.
 
If you’re between 18 and 29 and interested in taking part, or a member of a community group interested in mentoring, find out more at
www.cse.org.uk/ycec

 

Green Deal Cashback Levels Increased

Householders, installing solid wall insulation, are now able to claim up to £4000 cashback thank to changes to the Green Deal Cashback Scheme.
 
The government are hoping more people will take up energy efficiency improvements as a result of increasing the levels of cashback available for a number of measures.The scheme helps people to install energy efficiency measures by providing them with money back on the contributions they make towards improvements.

  • Up to £4,000 is now available for solid wall insulation, up from £650
  • Up to £1,000 for anyone needing ‘room in roof’ insulation, increased from £220
  • Up to £650 for households installing double glazing, from £320

The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) is also extending the scheme. Applications for Green Deal Cash-back can now be submitted up to the end of June, with a further three months for households to install energy efficiency measures and redeem cash-back vouchers, giving them more time to take advantage of the scheme.
 
DECC has also raised the cap on cash-back payments from 50 per cent of a household’s contribution towards costs, to two thirds, meaning more people will be eligible for the maximum cash-back level.
 
www.gov.uk/government/news/more-cash-back-for-people-carrying-out-green-deal-home-improvements

 

RESOURCE: Renewables in the Rural Landscape

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Centre for Sustainable Energy has published a set of resources for teachers to engage sixth form pupils with renewable energy issues. Four lesson plans help pupils to think about the issues behind renewable energy development and debate the various impacts and benefits to a rural community.
 
Download: 
www.cse.org.uk/renewables-in-the-rural-landscape