Homes to be penalised for using too much energy

April 17, 2010
News

Households could be penalised for turning on their heating under a new scheme announced today. The plan would involve giving every household in Britain a quota of “carbon credits”, which would be spent everytime the heating is turned on, as well as taking a flight or using the car – and once the credits reach zero, a penalty would be paid.

Lord Smith is backing the plan, and says that only those who lead extravagant lifestyles would be affected. The scheme would also involve a rebate if credits are left unused, meaning those who forgoe the car in favour of a bike, or who use renewalable forms of energy to heat their home, could get money back.

Small business owners argue that they will be forced to buy extra credits, at a time when many businesses are already finding it difficult to pay existing taxes imposed by the Government.

If the plan does go ahead, it will place an even greater emphasis on ensuring that houses are well insulated, and any heat lost through lofts, windows and wall is minimised.

What do you think about this new plan announced by Lord Smith? Should the public be forced to pay a ‘green tax’ at a time when the country is also already struggling to meet the increasing cost of energy bills?

4 Comments for this entry

James Weaver, June 25th, 2010 on 3:03 pm

I believe Carbon Credits are the way forward.
Until people’s pockets are hit they will continue with profligate lifestyles which will generate ever more carbon waste.
We have been brought up to believe a supply of energy is endless. Only coming generations will have a more full understanding of the situation.

Act now to impress on people the need for urgency in reducing carbon output.
Chris Buckley, June 25th, 2010 on 4:35 pm

I think this would be a very positive way forward and could be arranged so that there is no net change in energy costs for the public or income for the government. Similarly – each car owner could have a sort of credit card system that allowed them to purchase a modest amount of petrol/diesel per month (not per car) at a lower price (say £1 per litre) and everything purchased above this amount or without the card would have to pay £2 per litre. Thus the drivers of large inefficient cars, or those driving large distances, would pay much more.
Hipolito M. Wiseman, July 10th, 2010 on 7:51 am

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Jonathan Smutnick, November 29th, 2010 on 12:44 am

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