Green lights get the go ahead

05 November 2002

IN JUNE this year, a panel of Gloucestershire citizens was asked whether Gloucestershire County Council should use renewable energy to power street lighting.

Ninety-one percent of those asked said 'yes' and now the energy generated by wind and water will be used to provide electricity for most of the county's 54,000 streetlights and the county council's main buildings.

The council was aiming to achieve a 15% cut in its emissions of carbon dioxide and consumption of fossil fuels by 2005. This latest development means that an 18% reduction will be achieved from this month (November).

County councillor Bob Eccles is the Cabinet member responsible for sustainable development and the environment. Commenting on the milestone Bob says: "Carbon dioxide forms a major part of the green-house gases responsible for weakening the ozone layer and causing global warming.
"Carbon dioxide forms a major part of the green-house gases responsible for weakening the ozone layer and causing global warming. It is extremely important that we work to reduce the gases that are causing global warming and damaging the ozone layer. This switch to greener, cleaner electricity means that the county council will exceed its target to cut carbon dioxide emission well ahead of our deadline."

Ecotricity, a Stroud-based company has been awarded the county council's contract worth £760,000 a year. Ecotricity is the UK's first company to specialise in generating electricity from sources that don't pollute and won't run out. Dale Vince, the company's managing director is extremely encouraged that one of Gloucestershire's largest organisations has taken such a positive step. He says: "This is great news - Gloucestershire County Council is clearly demonstrating its commitment to the environment and responding to the increasing number of local people who support clean, green energy sources."