Lib Dems support the Local Electricity Bill

The Lib Dems on Woking Borough Council have announced that they support the Local Electricity Bill.

This bill is backed by nearly 200 MPs from all British political parties. It seeks to allow local groups to become electricity suppliers to their geographical areas. The bill would open the way for communities like Woking to benefit from electricity from renewable sources.

Lib Dem Group Leader, Councillor Ann-Marie Barker, said:

"The energy regulator OfGem is not empowered to allow the creation of local energy generators to become local suppliers. Regulations need to be changed so that communities like Woking can benefit from renewable energy projects and with it cheaper energy bills. This bill seeks to break the stranglehold of large energy suppliers and give power, literally, to local people."

"Woking Council has long been proud of its green agenda. The Council created its Thameswey company as a means of generating power for local consumption. The Council is now in the process of building a combined heat and power generator in Poole Road for the new Victoria Square development, and it would help the Council if it was able to sell the power generated locally. This Bill makes both economic and environmental sense for local residents."