The benefits of investing in renewable energy technologies are to be discussed by councillors in County Durham next week.
Members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet will be asked to consider a report presenting the findings and recommendations of a review which looked at the environmental, economic and social benefits of such investments.
In January 2009, Durham County Council signed the European Mayors Covenant, along with the other eleven councils in the North East. By making this commitment they aim to meet and exceed the European Union 20 per cent CO2 reduction objective by 2020.
In fact the county council is aiming for a reduction of 40 per cent by 2020.
Cllr Dan Myers, chair of the environment and sustainable communities overview and scrutiny committee, said: “We have made considerable progress in County Durham in recent years in generating renewable energy which will have significant benefits for the county’s residents in the future.
“The scrutiny committee has undertaken a review to examine these benefits in detail and assess whether there are any opportunities to maximise these benefits.”
Cabinet is asked to recommend that the sustainability and climate change team continue to develop their role in order to do the following:
· raise awareness of energy efficiency measures and the opportunities to generate power from renewable energy sources
· provide advice and assistance to residents, businesses, town and parish councils and community groups to enable them to benefit from government initiatives and funding opportunities
· assist the council in reducing its energy costs through renewable technologies
Cabinet is asked to note the recommendations in the report and formulate a response within the six month period identified in the review.