Here is a record of the policy responses we have submitted and our position on subjects that are receiving the attention of legislators.
CEE response to the Environmental Audit Committee call for evidence on Community Energy
On 19 March 2021, CEE, CEW and CES jointly submitted this response alongside many other CE groups. Their and other responses can be found at https://committees.parliament.uk/work/1047/technological-innovations-and-climate-change-community-energy/publications/. The subsequent oral evidence session on 14 April can be viewed at https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/51133e06-717e-400a-b27f-f8e3299cb2fa
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CEE response to Ofgem's consultation on the Energy Redress Scheme
On 11 February we asked Ofgem to extend the elibility to receive grants from this scheme from only charities to include community energy.
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CEE's response to Johnson's 10 point plan
As in his Conference speech the Prime Minister forgot, in his Ten Point Plan, to invest in the ‘extraordinary powers of invention’ in the community to deliver local recovery and net-zero solutions. Instead, he chooses to invest in big-cheque, corporate solutions many of which look dangerously like 'unicorns', which may not scale in time or ever.
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CEE response to the Planning for the Future consultation
The government is planning a wholesale shake-up of the planning system prioritising beauty, diluting democracy and introducing dubious zoning and design codes.
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CEE response to the Business Rates review part 2
This supplements the earlier response and focusses on business rates charged on plant and machinery which have seen 6 fold rises in business rates on some rooftop solar installations.
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HMT Business Rate review response (section on reliefs and multipliers)
CEE has recommended that community energy receive 100% business rate relief set by central government. And that the business rate system should promote the achievement of net-zero and energy efficient buildings.
The section on Plant and Machinery valuation, which caused huge rate hikes for rooftop solar, is due on 31 October. Our draft response is accessible via our Current consultations page. Government is looking for concrete evidence that the current regime is deterring investment in onsite renewables in order to change the policy. If you have that evidence please add it to our response.