Cornish energy would boost Cornwall's prosperity

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 17th Jul 2006

Pelamis wave power machine

Falmouth & Camborne MP Julia Goldsworthy has spoken out about the need for Cornwall to generate more of its own power.

Attending the opening of a new office for Community Energy Plus, Julia Goldsworthy met with Andris Piebalgs, the European Commissioner for Energy, who praised Cornish businesses and organisations for their work on sustainable energy and also warned that nuclear power was not only an expensive option but also raised further issues relating to the disposal of nuclear waste.

Ms Goldsworthy commented:

"When gas and electricity flow into Cornwall, Cornish money flows back in the opposite direction. We have some of the best natural resources in Britain for generating power from clean, renewable sources, creating jobs in our local economy and bringing in money from up-country. We must seize this opportunity with both hands."

"The Government's current obsession with nuclear power is overshadowing the opportunities that renewable sources can offer in overcoming environmental challenges and in boosting the local economy."

"If the Government supported the Sustainable Communities Bill, which now has support from over half the MPs in the House, then local communities could be given more control on how best to meet their energy needs."