Consultation on the Review of the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a consultation seeking views on the forthcoming revision to the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA). The HECA places a duty on all Energy Conservation Authorities (ECAs) to produce improvement plans aimed at achieving a voluntary 30% energy efficiency improvement within ten to fifteen years i.e. by 2006 or 2011. It applies across the UK, but each of the Devolved Administrations manages the reporting requirements separately. This consultation applies to the review of HECA carried out for England only.
The consultation document from DEFRA states that the average household could avoid emissions of around 0.5 tonnes of carbon a year, save energy and lower energy bills by becoming more energy efficient, and that working with households to save energy is therefore a key part of the UK’s climate and energy strategy.
In the period 1 April 1996 to 31 March 2006, English authorities have reported an overall improvement in domestic energy efficiency of all housing in their area of approximately 19.26%, as measured against a 1996 baseline. Defra has undertaken a review of HECA, as implemented in England, to assess its continued success in delivering improvements in energy efficiency in the household sector over the past ten years. The Review also considers options for the future of HECA.
Defra is seeking responses to the following questions:
1. What has been your experience of the success of HECA in meeting its objectives?
2. Do you think HECA promotes the Government’s domestic energy efficiency objectives in an effective and proportionate manner?
3. Do you support the findings of the HECA Review? Is there any additional information that we should consider?
4. Which of the options outlined in Section 6 [of the consultation document], and in the accompanying Impact Assessment, on the future role of HECA do you support?
The closing date for receipt of responses is 3rd January 2008.
Further information is available from: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/heca/index.htm
Source: www.defra.gov.uk (accessed 02/11/07)