Tag Archives: programs

It’s tricky to keep track of all of the funding, programs and incentives the U.K. is providing for biomass and other renewable heating technologies, and here’s yet another to add to the list: the DECC just made available £6 million in grant funding to help local authorities in England and Wales develop new heating and cooling networks, and expand existing networks. To win a share of the funding, local authorities must bring forward “ambitious and innovative proposals” to develop and deliver heat networks that draw as much heat energy as possible from renewable, sustainable or recoverable sources. If an application is a realistic commercial proposition but fails to meet certain criteria, the DECC will offer advise on how to improve the application. Wouldn’t it be amazing to see even a portion of level of support the U.K. receives, in the U.S.? Not just funding or tax breaks or incentives, but how vocal and adamant the government is about renewable energy, and its exertions to educate the public. Unfortunately, our government can hardly figure out how to fund itself. On that note, I’ll leave you with something a scientist from the U.S. DOE once said to me…”In [the U.S.], 50 to 60 percent of people don’t believe in climate change, and that’s a huge barrier to overcome…I think the only way it’ll be overcome is if a huge piece of Greenland slides off into the ocean and disrupts the Gulf Stream; something will have to get people’s attention and make them realize we’d better take action.” Continue reading →