Rural Community Carbon Network

I had an interesting discussion with Rod Yeoman recently - he is the Environmental Projects Manager with Impact Housing Association in Penrith.

Impact is working with National Energy Action (NEA) to establish Impact Affordable Energy; an Energy Services Company (ESCo) in Cumbria to tackle fuel poverty through a range of environmental methods.

They have successfully secured an Innovation and Good Practice grant (sponsored by the Housing Corporation), which will support their approach to tackling fuel poverty.

“By developing environmental responses to fuel poverty, Housing Associations could significantly impact on climate change within existing stock and beyond, whilst providing direct economic benefits to low-income communities.”
Impact Affordable Energy

The regional Energy Services Company (ESCo) for Cumbria will provide:

• Energy audits and advice for residents in fuel poverty
• A domestic energy management service
• Energy efficiency and renewable energy measures for individuals or clusters of dwellings
• Bulk buying and onward sale of carbon-abated fuel supplies from mainstream suppliers
• Community-based renewable energy production and distribution

Rod is also developing plans for 2 district biomass heating schemes in Lakeland villages.

Both these models are being undertaken as pilot schemes and will create a replicable approach for other villages around Cumbria and further afield, that wants to develop renewable energy project in this way.

Rod is keen to ensure as many people, groups, villages and housing associations know about this as possible - so please spread the word!

If you have any feedback or questions, please post a comment to this post.

Rod at Impact Housing Association can be contacted on:

07769 905284