Wimbledon MP, Stephen Hammond, has pledged his support for the Green Energy Bill, which aims to encourage the use of small-scale renewable energy and help alleviate fuel poverty.

The Bill is intended to help launch a market for green energy.

It will require the Government to reform planning law, making it easier for home and land owners to place wind turbines and solar panels on their properties.

It will also place safeguards on the noise and visual nuisance of these “microgeneration” devices.

Parliament hopes the greater use of green energy will create jobs, be a boost to small business, and be an environmentally-friendly way out of the current recession.

Mr Hammond said: “Generating our own electricity will also bring fuel bills down which will be good news for everyone, but especially the least well off our in our communities.”

The Bill also has the full support of the Micropower Council, which represents the microgeneration industry.

Micropower Council chief executive, Dave Sowden, said: “This Bill will provide this impetus and enable small business and developing technologies to grow. If this Bill fails it will be a smack in the teeth to our industry.”

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