Government's green words must generate greener policy - German

12.00.00am GMT Tue 20th Mar 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Leader Michael German today welcomed plans to make it easier for households to generate renewable energy in Wales. However, he warned that without the money to back up green policies, they would be meaningless.

Mr German said: "I promoted a Private Member's Bill designed to make it easier to install Microgeneration technology on people's homes.

"I am delighted that the Labour Assembly Government has adopted the principles. But unless Gordon Brown announces significant funding for the Low Carbon Building Trust in the budget, the Environment Minister's words are just that - green words on recycled paper, but no serious action.

"The UK Government has halved the grant rate for the Low Carbon Building programme in the last couple of years. That's not taking climate change seriously.

"I want to see bold policies so Welsh households can take positive steps to reduce their carbon footprint and even contribute to the National Grid.

"Microgeneration allows people to generate electricity through small renewable energy generators, such as solar panels.

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"It has always struck me as very strange that a satellite dish can be fitted without any fuss, but solar panels, or a small wind turbine need planning permission. Where panels or turbines are small and unobtrusive, there should be no need for energy-sapping bureaucracy. Red tape must not be a barrier to green action.

"Labour is struggling to catch up with our green policies. It's a shame that they are only responding with rhetoric."