CLIMATE DEAL SET TO CREATE NORTH EAST JOBS SAYS HALL

12.00.00am GMT Mon 15th Dec 2008

A North East Lib Dem MEP has helped seal a deal which is set to bring a major expansion of green energy in the region as part of the effort to tackle climate change.

At the EU summit European leaders gave their seal of approval to the text of a new Renewable Energy Directive finalised a few days earlier by the European Parliament and energy ministers from the 27 EU member states. Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall was part of the small cross-party team negotiating the deal.

By 2020 the UK will have to get 15% of its energy from renewable sources as part of an EU target of 20% renewable energy by 2020.

Said Fiona:

"Expansion of the renewable energy sector in the North East will help the region weather the storm of an economic downturn by providing new incentives for investment and "green collar" jobs.

"NaREC in Blyth is already at the forefront of research in renewable technology, with its testing facilities for wind turbine blades, wave machines and photovoltaics. Now, with binding UK targets to be met, NaREC's role in taking forward new technology will become even more important.

"Moreover, Alcan in Lynemouth is likely to welcome the fact that under the wider climate package funding has been secured for pilot projects for carbon capture and storage, thanks to Lib Dem efforts in the European Parliament."

"This agreement also gives the green light to those forward-looking biofuels companies on Teesside which are committed to developing sustainable biofuels offering a high level of greenhouse gas savings.

"Industry on Teesside will also welcome the part of the climate package dealing with pilot projects for carbon capture and storage. Thanks to Lib Dem pressure in the European Parliament, a funding stream for these pilot projects has now been agreed."

The plight of consumers has not been forgotten either. Fiona fought to get energy saving incorporated into the renewable energy directive - and won.

"All EU countries will have to push energy efficiency because using less energy overall will help to meet renewable targets too. With so many people struggling to pay their bills, keeping energy saving at the top of the agenda is really important."