Mark Prisk MP Visits Cornish Renewable Energy Technology Firm.
MARK PRISK MP, the Shadow Minister for Cornwall, has made a fact-finding visit to Kensa Engineering near Bissoe, to listen to the ideas and concerns of local businesses developing renewable energy technologies.
Commenting on his visit, Mark said: "Cornish engineers were leaders of the industrial revolution and I believe companies like Kensa Engineering are at the forefront of the sustaina ble energy revolution.
"This is important not only for the environment but as we have seen from recent events in Russia, for our national security.
"For generations my family were mining engineers from Camborne School of Mines and I am delighted that Richard Freeborn and his team are building a successful, new business in the ruins of Mount Wellington mine, that during its time, produced so many jobs and much prosperity to the local economy.
"With the right support from Government, Cornish companies like Kensa could develop more local, highly-skilled, new jobs."
Sarah Newton, the Conservative Prospective MP for Truro & Falmouth and who accompanied Mark on his visit, has persistently called on the Government to reform the ‘Warm Front' scheme to help rural households.
Sarah said: "Many homes are unsuitable for the forms of assistance currently available, notably some loft and cavity wall insulation.
"Valuable tax payers' money is being wasted on installing fuel oil central heating systems into local peoples' homes when we know that it is environmentally unsustainable and very expensive to run.
"Once the first oil tank, costing £650 or more has been used, many of the homeowners who have qualified for the ‘Warm Front' grant can't afford to pay for more oil.
"Ground heat and photovoltaic power offers environmentally sustainable and affordable alternatives, yet these readily available alternatives are not included in the ‘Warm Front' scheme.
"Not only would these types of heating systems be more appropriate for many local homes, they would help local companies who are UK leaders in these technologies.
"During this recession it is essential that the Government uses tax payers' money to support sustainable local businesses and jobs."
Ofgem's recent report on domestic consumer fuel costs showed that rural homes were especially vulnerable to fuel poverty where households are off the mains gas grid supply and were unable to obtain duel fuel discounts offered by suppliers.
The Ofgem report states that the unregulated price of domestic fuel oil has risen from 34p to 55p per litre within 12 months.
It goes onto report that it costs £1,310 per year to heat a three bed roomed house using liquid petroleum gas (LPG), £1,044 using domestic fuel oil and £568 by mains gas.
The high price of fuel oil has led to a sharp increase in the number of thefts of oil for commercial and domestic tanks in rural areas as well as local villagers coming together in purchasing co-operatives to negotiate discounts.
