Conservatives plan for a low carbon economy lauded by CLA

The CLA is greatly encouraged by the Conservatives’ plan to create a low carbon economy which echoes the CLA’s long-term economic view of energy provision.

The plan includes a so-called "electricity internet" which would "transform the way we think about power" and new low carbon energy sources.

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "It is very encouraging the Conservative Party is outlining such forward-thinking plans for the economy.

"The CLA has called for ’smart grids’, or intelligent networks of electricity, for some time and will work with the Conservative Party in assisting their development of ideas, but crucially, the question of the cost of connecting renewables needs to be addressed."

The CLA President said the Conservatives’ plan for biogas to replace up to 50 percent of residential gas heating by introducing feed-in-tariffs was a "heroic" vision which builds on the CLA’s lobbying win in the Energy Act 2008.

He added: "Only by tackling the UK economy’s carbon emissions with the support of rural business can we create a low carbon economy as has been outlined today."