Supplementary memorandum submitted by
Sir Ben Gill, Leader of the Biomass Task Force (Bio 31a)
COMMENTS ON
THE GOVERNMENT'S
RESPONSE TO
THE BIOMASS
TASK FORCE
1. The broad acceptance of virtually all the
recommendations of the Biomass Task Force is to be welcomed as
a significant recognition of the importance of heat in the wider
energy market and the potential to make significant carbon savings
by developing the biomass for heat market at a much lower financial
cost per tonne of carbon than form most other routes.
2. The key barrier of ignorance still remains
however at every level of our society including:
(a) the domestic customer;
(b) the construction companies and associated
professionals;
(d) industrial and commercial users;
(e) local and regional governments;
(f) national government departments.
3. The announcement of the new Biomass for Energy
centre within the Forestry Commission is therefore a critical
part of the future success of the implementation of the report.
It is critical that this new body immediately and effectively
addresses these issues in conjunction with the other Government
agencies including the NNFCC, the Carbon trust and the Energy
Savings Trust and together with all the Regional Development Agencies.
4. The acid test of how effective this new understanding
has been taken up will be seen by how quickly we see biomass as
an energy source mentioned together with renewable heat when news
stories are reported covering the renewable energy sector. Currently
reports focus too much on transport fuels and renewable electricity.
5. The opportunity for the Government to now
deliver on the promise that it made in the 2003 Energy White Paper
to lead by example is now one that must not be missed. The Government
as the biggest owner of property and buildings in the country
must show the way ahead.
Biomass Task Force
May 2006
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