MP thanked for supporting Local Electricity Bill

Campaign group Power for People has thanked Clwyd South MP Simon Baynes (pictured) for supporting a new Bill in Parliament that it says would help rebuild local economies whilst increasing clean energy generation.

The proposed new law, known as the Local Electricity Bill, is supported by 187 MPs. 

If made law, it would create a new Right to Local Supply of energy that would empower communities to sell locally generated electricity directly to local households and businesses.

Currently customers can only purchase electricity from nationally licensed utilities. 

The Bill’s supporters say this means money people use to pay their energy bills is not helping to rebuild local economies and local clean energy infrastructure.

Power for People is calling for MPs and the UK Government to make the Bill law and is leading a supportive coalition of organisations including Community Energy England, Community Energy Wales, Community Energy Scotland, WWF, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the RSPB. 

Forty-four local authorities have also pledged their support.

Power for People’s director Steve Shaw said: “We thank Simon Baynes for supporting the Local Electricity Bill. 

"If made law, the Bill would unleash the huge potential for new community-owned clean energy infrastructure and for this to boost local economies, jobs, services, and facilities in communities across the country.”

Simon Baynes said: “The Local Electricity Bill will empower and enable new community energy companies to sell energy that they generate directly to local people which will help strengthen local economies. 

"This is urgently needed given the economic shock of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

"The Bill will also help accelerate our transition to clean energy, which is critical in avoiding the potential economic and ecological devastation of climate change. I will do all I can to ensure it becomes law.”