Act Now - Faith communities' voice needed on solar cuts

This is a time for all faith traditions to act together. The Church of England's Shrinking the Footprint Campaign website (www.shrinkingthefootprint.org) has details of the Feed-in Tariff cuts and the impact this will have on local energy projects, many of which are working with faith buildings.

There is also an on-line petition at https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/20928

It is suggested that those concerned about the proposals to reduce the tariffs within 6 weeks reply to the consultation in the strongest terms and put their case in a consistent and clear way, lobbying DECC for the following:

• That churches are exempted from the need for EPCs – provided a suitable other benchmarking audit system can be put in place
• That churches are allowed until 31st March 2012 to complete and install projects which are currently in the pipeline and benefit from the current FIT
• That beyond 1st April 2012 churches are considered alongside other community projects for a specific community tariff.

Obviously those outside the Christian tradition will want to ensure DECC considers other faith buildings besides churches! The Government consultation ends in mid December.

More information will be circulated through the secular Low Carbon Communities Network. Get on their email list: via hello@lowcarboncommunities.net