Ed Miliband to Announce Community Fund for Clean Energy Firms

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband is set to unveil a plan that requires clean energy developers to pay into a community fund, benefiting local communities near solar and wind farms. The fund will be used for projects that have a real impact, such as upgrading football pitches, training programs, and transport links. Communities will have a say in how the money is spent, with a focus on projects that benefit local families.

Key Takeaways:

• The community fund will be compulsory for clean energy developers, with payments ranging from tens of thousands to millions of pounds, depending on the size of the infrastructure project.
• The fund will be used for projects that benefit local communities, such as new community centers, education bursaries, apprenticeships, small business grants, and energy efficiency work for local homes.
• Local families will have a say in how the money is spent, with a focus on projects that benefit them directly.
• The fund is part of the government's plan to become a clean energy superpower, creating good well-paid jobs and cutting energy bills.
• The government's clean energy mission is not just about fighting climate change, but also about cutting bills, creating good jobs, and ensuring energy security.

Statistics:

• Payments to the community fund will range from tens of thousands to millions of pounds, depending on the size of the infrastructure project.
• The fund will be used for projects that benefit local communities, with a focus on projects that have a real impact.
• The government's clean energy mission aims to create good well-paid jobs and cut energy bills.
• The solar farm in Hull, which powers a local hospital, saves up to £200,000 a month.

Sources:

• "Energy firms to pay millions to improve communities near solar and wind farms, Ed Miliband to announce" - Sunday Mirror, [exact date not provided]
• Donna Clifford on HullLive - [no date provided]