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Meeting of the Parliament 18 April 2012

18 Apr 2012 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament

Item of business

Project Transmit

McTaggart, Anne Lab Glasgow Watch on SPTV

I welcome the debate. I think that my fellow members will agree that the existing charging regimes are neither compatible with the needs and desires of ordinary people nor in the interests of delivering an affordable and sustainable energy future.

In modern society, few issues are more pressing than global warming. Some might even go so far as to say that, for the future of the planet, it is even more important than the debate on Scottish independence. Members will be aware of the truly alarming figure that 900,000 households in Scotland are in fuel poverty. The importance of the debate and the independent review are therefore self-evident.

There is general support among politicians and charities, such as Friends of the Earth Scotland and RSPB Scotland, for the main aims of project transmit. As Ofgem has stated, reducing carbon emissions and ensuring the delivery of secure energy supplies are integral to its duty to protect the interests of current and future energy consumers.

It is this Parliament’s responsibility to build on those areas of consensus and to work towards a fairer future. Project transmit provides an opportunity to make major progress and it presents us with a chance to ensure that we find the right charging regime—one that supports renewables developments but does not do so at the expense of those who cannot afford a hike in energy bills.

For many of my constituents in Glasgow, fuel poverty is a critical issue. However, it is not an issue only in Glasgow, which is why we must look to protect households in fuel poverty across the country. No one should have to choose between heating their house and feeding themselves and their family.

Although project transmit affords the Scottish Government the opportunity to create and support sustainable energy developments, we must remember that altering the existing charging regime is not in itself enough. It is crucial that we give further support to the various green initiatives that exist throughout the country and set our minds to conceiving new and innovative ways to turn Scotland into an energy-efficient, low-carbon economy.

In Glasgow, Labour is stepping up to that challenge. We will lead the implementation of the green deal to improve the energy efficiency of residents’ homes. We have committed to develop a centre for green building skills, which will help local workers and the construction industry to make the transition to a low-carbon economy. We have pledged to create the Glasgow energy trust to develop new energy systems and to ensure that the city gets its fair share of all future revenues.

Project transmit offers an opportunity to change one part of the energy system and address a long-standing concern, but it is only one element of the change that needs to occur if we as a country are to achieve our aims and meet our obligations to the global community.

At the heart of the change must be people not profits, and community benefits not corporate gains. The communities that are at the forefront of the renewables revolution should be able to reap the rewards. I am glad that Labour’s amendment takes that into account by calling on Ofgem to recognise community involvement and to introduce a pricing regime that prioritises the needs of local people and does not penalise them. I hope that all members agree, and I call on them to support Ken Macintosh’s Scottish Labour amendment.

14:54

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Meeting of the Parliament 18 April 2012

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