07 December 2011
The Church of England has welcomed the Government announcement
today of a new £10 million Local Energy Assessment Fund which gives
community groups, including churches, a chance to bid for
money.
The new Fund, announced by the Department of Energy and Climate
Change, DECC, will provide grants for around 200 community
organisations, including churches, to undertake energy efficiency
projects and renewable energy generation in their area. With
a Christian presence in every community, the CofE's churches are
perfectly placed to house local energy efficiency projects, said
David Shreeve, the Church of England's national environment
adviser.
"It is good news that DECC consider churches and other faith
groups as vital parts of the local community. The deadline for
application and delivery is tight but many churches are currently
considering ways of harnessing renewable energy for their buildings
and this may just be the spur they need.
"A recent communication I received from 10 Downing St stressed
the Prime Minister's recognition that Church assets often sit at
the heart of the community Shrinking the Footprint the
Church of England's national environment campaign, provides advice
and toolkits for the local church as it rolls out vital green
community projects as part of its ministry and mission."
There is around £50,000 available for each successful community
to be used to help assess the potential for energy efficiency and
local renewable energy generation and get things started in their
area. This is a short-term scheme where work will need to be
completed by end of March 2012.
Interested communities can apply via the
Energy Saving Trust and money will be allocated in two rounds. The
first round closes at noon on 22 December 2011 with successful
applicants notified in the week beginning 9 January 2012. The
second round will close to applications at noon on 20 January 2012
with successful communities notified at the end January.
Notes
Read the full
DECC press release