2015


16th October 2015

Can renewable energy create a Western Powerhouse?

Molly Scott Cato, Green MEP for the South West, will launch a report she commissioned which demonstrates how the South West can produce 100+% of its energy needs from renewables alone. This will be followed by a panel debate and questions and answers session exploring the politics of energy, the im ...


Photograph of photovoltaic panels on a roof
30th September 2015

DECC propose to cut Solar Feed in Tariff by 87% to all bands from 1 January 2016

Despite the industry making tremendous strides in reducing the cost of Solar PV in the last few years, the Government still proposes to make huge cuts to the subsidy, posing a huge threat to the domestic solar market. The cost of installation is now 1/4 of what it was 5 years ago, however the F.I.T plays an intrinsic role within the market and although cuts are needed over a longer time frame, a reduction of this scale at such an early point could potentially stop the installation of solar on domestic homes overnight and kill community energy projects such as ours..

We would be grateful if you could help us in delaying such drastic cuts by signing the petition here


Logo for 38 Degrees
31st August 2015

Stop the UK government killing off the UK solar industry

The Dept for Energy and Climate Change has just unveiled sweeping plans to slash subsidies to solar power. They are proposing measures that include cutting aid to small-scale solar power installations, and ending subsidies for roof-top panels earlier than expected. They are also thinking of reviewing the feed-in tariff.

Please go to the 38 Degrees website and complete the petition to Amber Rudd to help save jobs in the UK and support our commitment to tackling climate change.


28th July 2015

Government Energy Policy in Disarray

In recent days the Government have dropped its former flagship policy, the Green Deal, has announced the end of its zero carbon buildings policy, has announced the end of subsidies for onshore wind and solar farms, is removing discounted vehicle excise duty for greener vehicles and even as I write ...


31st March 2015

April Energy Group News

Community Energy Feasibility Study Following a successful presentation to the Crediton Learning Community, we have surveyed for solar PV several local schools including QE, Cheriton Fitzpaine, Haywards, Copplestone and Sandford. These all have suitable roofs and have expressed interest in our proj ...


1st March 2015

Save Druridge Bay from Opencast Coal Mining

Northumberland's beautiful Druridge Bay area is about to be destroyed by the largest opencast mine  in England…

Between 2016 and 2027, Banks Mining plans to extract 7 million tonnes of coal from a new opencast mine, called Highthorn, between Widdrington Village and Druridge Bay. Site restoration will not be completed until 2032.

The mine will cause massive environmental destruction right next to one of Northumberland's most beautiful and loved beaches.

Banks Mining says it's good news for local people, and the environment. We say it's all about money for Banks, and that local people, and our environment, will pay the price.

That's why we're asking you to SIGN THE PETITION TODAY to Save Druridge Bay from the destruction of opencast mining.


Logo for Friends of the Earth
1st February 2015

Ask Barclays to stop fracking in North Yorkshire

Barclays Bank owns 97% of Third Energy, the company who are planning to frack in North Yorkshire. Please ask Barclay's CEO to stop gambling with our health and the environment by completing the Friends of the earth's petition.

In December 2014, Third Energy announced that it was planning to frack for shale gas in the village of Kirby Misperton in North Yorkshire.

Third Energy is 97% owned by Barclays Natural Resource Investments, the private equity arm of Barclays Bank. Barclays has a long history of bankrolling dirty energy in the Global South - now they're doing it in Yorkshire.

Kirby Misperton sits in the beautiful district of Ryedale, very close to the North Yorks Moors National Park. Agriculture and tourism play a major part in the local economy

Local residents have come together from across the district to stop Barclays and Third Energy from fracking in their community.

Complete the petition here.


Logo for Greenpeace
3rd January 2015

Sign now for a Frack-Free UK!

David Cameron has very recently stated that he would be very happy for fracking to come to his Witney constituency.

Please ask him to reconsider his position on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, immediately and instead champion clean energy sources which do not risk our global climate, the natural environment and our health by signing the Greenpeace  petition with over 250,000 signatures.