July 24, 2013
England

Wording changed over locals’ tariff

Cornish Guardian | July 24, 2013 | www.thisiscornwall.co.uk

An energy company planning to install 11 400ft wind turbines in North Cornwall has changed the wording of its tariff – which is offered exclusively to locals.

Some villagers are said to have been angered by the company Good Energy and its plans for turbines at Week St Mary, which, they claimed, are not supported locally.

After talks with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), Good Energy voluntarily changed the wording in its Week St Mary information booklet, removing some claims about its cheap energy tariff offered to those who would be affected by the turbines, saying it would save the community £2 million.

“Our local tariff for households around our proposed development will always be 20 per cent cheaper than Good Energy’s standard tariff,” said a company spokesman.

“The amount of money householders could save will obviously depend upon their individual circumstances. We have committed up to £2 million to fund its potential take-up by the community throughout the lifetime of the project.”

The ASA said the matter has been informally resolved without the need for a formal investigation.

Several local residents have also contacted the Cornish Guardian about a recent invitation-only party at Trethorne, hosted by Good Energy, which was for landowners involved in the project and their families.

“Many around Week St Mary consider that the party was really about Good Energy shoring up their flagging support ahead of the next consultation event,” said the chairman of the group opposing the development, Communities Against Rural Exploitation (CARE), Richard Sowerby.

A spokesman for Good Energy said: “This evening was simply an opportunity to bring together our partners and guests to provide them with information about our proposals.”

The spokesman said plans were being made for a second consultation, which would provide detailed information about the project.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/07/24/wording-changed-over-locals-tariff/