As mentioned in the report below of 11th October I have been working on
getting energy issues onto the agenda at Fingal Development
Board.  There has been some progress, and a more detailed action
including seeking funding for the establishment of a Fingal Energy
Agency was agreed
at the last meeting of the Development Board on 10th November.  As
before I would welcome comments or advice.
   
Action:  Draw up a programme to ensure that all investment in
future development is energy efficient and to facilitate transition to
local sustainable energy systems.

Rationale:  Climate change and increased oil and gas prices means
we need to reduce energy demand and move to renewable energy
sources.  This can be usefully thought of as making correct
investment choices, for example

•    Invest in land use and layout, which minimises transport demand.

•    Invest in low energy transport not high-energy transport.

•    Invest in energy efficient housing, buildings and production systems.

•    Invest in renewable energy and infrastructure not fossil fuel infrastructure.

This shift in investment will follow experience in other countries in
particular Scandinavian countries but also Germany Spain and UK. 
Given the level of infrastructure investment in Ireland there is a
degree of urgency about influencing our investment choices.

Key Steps:

1. Reconstitute Sustainability Monitoring Committee with new terms of reference.

2.    Commission research on transition to sustainable
energy systems at a local level, to include recommendations, as a joint
project with the County Research Bureau (Action 13)

3.    Relying on research and with input from
stakeholders, draw up Fingal Implementation Programme for Transition to
Sustainable Energy Systems including pilot elements

4.    FDB and member agencies to adopt programme

5.    Implement pilot elements

6.    Monitor success of pilots and extend subject to agreement by FDB

Investigate and apply for funding from Intelligent Energy Europe
europa.eu.int/comm/energy/intelligent/index_en.html  In
particular, the establishment of a Fingal Energy Agency (funding
€200,000/year for 3 years at 50% of costs), application deadline 31st
January 2006.

The previous plan had provision for a Renewable energy projects officer
(not implemented).  This would be included in a Fingal Energy
Agency.

Comment:

There are advantages for Fingal Development Board in applying for this funding:

1.    Multi-agency approach attractive

2.    Very high level of construction in Fingal

3.    A lot needs to be changed

4.    But a start has been made (i.e. bona fides are clear) e.g.

a.    Fingal County Hall

b.    higher conditions in Local Area Plans than are required by national Building Regulations

 I would be very interested in any feedback or suggestions.