2 January 2008
Encouraging its staff and the public to be energy-aware has won Guildford Borough Council national recognition for achievements in energy efficiency. Guildford has been re-accredited under the UK’s independent benchmark for energy efficiency - the Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme (EEAS).
Guildford is one of the few councils nationally to be accredited under this scheme. This latest re-accreditation recognises the council is continuing work to reduce its own energy consumption with new energy saving initiatives as well as promoting better use of energy to residents and businesses.
Lead Councillor for Environment, Cllr Jenny Wicks, comments: “Tackling climate change is one of our main priorities, and energy efficiency is an important part of the this work. This award recognises our commitment to environmental issues and shows we are leading by example by putting our own house in order. We urge residents and businesses to keep the environment as high on the agenda as possible and to look at all the different ways they can save energy”.
EEAS assessor Dr Bob Spain comments that the council remains committed to energy efficiency. He says: “This was evident from the site visits made and the impressive body of evidence submitted by Guildford Borough Council to support its application”. He was especially impressed with the innovative hydro project, which he described as “particularly commendable”.
The borough council’s energy-saving schemes include the award-winning renewable energy Toll House hydro project, which generates enough energy to power 50 homes a year, and the combined heat and power plant at Spectrum Leisure Complex. The council has also supported initiatives to encourage solar panel use by demonstrating two kinds of panel at its Millmead offices and on its CCTV vehicle. It also operates a green funding scheme called Salix, which uses repayments from project cost savings to fund further energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives.
Schools are also encouraged to go green with a variety of eco-projects that children can get involved in, helping to improve their understanding of why their environment matters.
This initiative is part of Guildford Borough Council's commitment to improving residents’ local surroundings, by focusing on issues that matter most to them such as a cleaner, safer and greener environment.
Communications
Guildford Borough Council
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
Tel: 01483 444337
Email: pr@guildford.gov.uk