Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has won the thanks of local residents and the Power for People campaign group after he joined over 180 MPs in supporting the Local Electricity Bill.
The proposed new law 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. This would not only allow for greater competition within the energy sector, but also provide an incentive to create community-owned clean energy infrastructure.
Under the current law, customers can only purchase electricity from nationally licensed utilities. Supports of the Bill say this means money people use to pay their energy bills is not helping to rebuild local economies and local clean energy infrastructure.
Following its introduction last month, the Bill is due to have it’s second reading after the summer recess.
Speaking after backing the Bill, Rugby MP Mark Pawsey commented:
“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 and the need to develop cleaner, sustainable energy.”
Mark continued:
“Rugby Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council have both joined Parliament in declaring a Climate Emergency, recognising the need for reforms to help tackle Climate Change. I have also been contacted by a number of local residents, asking me to support this legislation to give our community the tools needed to help accelerate our transition to clean energy.”
Mark concluded:
“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. The Bill has cross-party support and as such, I hope the Government recognises the great opportunity we have to deliver a world leading local energy revolution, and backs this Bill.”