"Time For West Midlands To Support Alternative Energy Sources"- MEP

10.26.42am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 31st May 2006

Liz Lynne, Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands, today welcomed the

announcement by the European Commission supporting new initiatives to

research and develop solar thermal energy, but has criticised the UK

Government for not doing enough in the area of renewable energy sources.

In the wake of a recent study that listed Birmingham as one of the countries

top five CO2 polluters Liz Lynne said:

"The Commission's announcement is to be welcomed and will be greeted warmly

by all sides in the European Parliament as there is cross party support for

setting targets for heating and cooling from renewable energy sources such

as solar thermal. I look forward to the Commission's official proposals."

"Unfortunately, the UK is dragging its feet on heating from renewables and

seems more intent on pushing a nuclear agenda. Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks

has been challenged on this very recently and I hope the Minister will now

fall into line by supporting a renewable heating directive."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Commission's announcement can be found at

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/696&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en