A smart way to reduce carbon emissions - Bates

Release/Rhyddhau: 05/04/06

Contact/Cyswllt: Ceirion Rees:
029 2089 8342/ 07733280105/ ceirion.rees@wales.gov.uk 

A leading environmentalist has called on the Labour Assembly Government to consider using Smart Meters to help cut carbon emissions.

Mick Bates, Welsh Liberal Democrat Environment spokesperson and chair of the National Assembly Sustainable Energy Group (NASEG) made the call after a special meeting in the Assembly today.

Mick said: "Smart Meters help people measure how much they are spending on gas, electricity and in some cases water.  They let people know how much energy they are using and how much carbon they are emitting. 

"Where installed they have helped consumers to become more environmentally conscious.  They also help households and business cut their energy bills.

"Elsewhere this technology has been used for a long time.  Italy, for example, has been installing them in new buildings since 1997.  As a result peak time demand for energy has fallen by 5%.  We can have similar results here in Wales.

"I will now write to the Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration, Edwina Hart, about how to take this issue forward.  The battle against climate change starts at home.  Smart Meters can play a major part in this."