Green Party Senator Mark Dearey has welcomed new regulations to control recreational activities in sensitive nature areas like along the River Boyle, in the Baltray Boyne estuary area and on Bettystown and Laytown sand dunes.
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Green energy planning exemptions "a boost" for small business, farming and schools” claims Dearey
Following yesterday's announcement by Minister for the Environment, John Gormley that he intends to create planning exemptions for businesses, farmers and public services who want to introduce green energy technologies. Cllr Mark Dearey described it as a tremendous opportunity for the North East as the energy crunch approaches.
"With the $100 barrier for a barrel of oil in sight, it is critical for business and farming to start sourcing energy from renewables and reducing exposure to the effects of world oil price. Businesses that invest now will be the ones that thrive in the future. So in making it easier for example for a factory to replace its conventional roof with one covered in solar panels or for a business park or hospital to build a combined heat and power plant is to be welcomed. The measures will improve the cost base and of course help the nation meet our 2010 target of reducing CO2 emissions by 1.5 million tonnes."
Cllr Dearey continued, "If the introduction of the proposed exemptions prompts even a single industrial operation to source their energy needs from a 5MW CHP instead of from conventional electricity supply, the emissions saved would amount to 6ktonnes annually. This sends out a strong and very positive signal that the planning system is being increasingly deployed in the fight against climate change."
These and other proposals are contained in a consultation document which Minister Gormley is hoping will provoke comment and suggestions. Speaking at the publication of the proposals the Minister said, "The consultation paper sets out the rationale for these limits and I hope they will receive full and rigorous debate over the coming months. I welcome comments from all quarters by the closing date of 18 January as a means of ensuring that we pitch these exemptions at the appropriate levels," Minister Gormley concluded.
Cllr Dearey concluded by saying that these measures will continue to stimulate the renewables sector and given the expertise that exists locally in these technologies many local researchers, manufacturers and suppliers will also benefit as uptake begins later in 2008.