The CEO bulletin aims bring you information on some of the latest developments in Community Energy.You may be receipt of this bulletin because you were interested in our Microgeneration Strategy, which focused on developing information and support for community energy. If this is the case, and you would like to receive future editions, please sign up via the CEO website.

Highlights:

• "LEAF" - Local Energy Assessment Fund announced
• The Rural Development Fund
• The Community Energy Contact Group
• Updated pages on DECC's "Community Energy Online"

1. Local Energy Assessment Fund

DECC has today announced "LEAF" - Local Energy Assessment Fund (£10m) currently supporting assessments for the potential for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. LEAF funding is available for this financial year (ending on 31 March 2012). It aims to help community groups understand their energy issues locally and prepare them for the Green Deal, revolving funds and for renewable energy financial incentives. Details of how to apply for LEAF are available on the Energy Saving Trust's website.

In addition, a further £20 million in Salix loans has been made available for public sector energy efficiency projects in England before the end of March 2012, saving organisations money on energy bills and reducing carbon emissions. For further information see www.salixfinance.co.uk 

 Ongoing information on LEAF and links will also be published on the CEO funding page.

 2. Rural Development Fund

The Chancellor announced in his Autumn Statement, the creation of a £15m Rural Community Energy Fund (2012-2015). Further details will be developed by DECC and DEFRA, the two Departments involved, and will be announced during January 2012. Ongoing information and links will also be published on the CEO funding page.

 3. Community Energy Contact Group

DECC has just set up a Community Energy Contact Group, meeting for the first time on 15 December. The Group will comprise community representatives and will be chaired by Michael Butterfield.

 4. DECC's Community Energy Online (http://ceo.decc.gov.uk)

 DECC's Community Energy Portal is aimed at community groups and local auithorites. There are direct links below to newly revised text, which includes 'one click' links to EST and Plan LoCaL training videos. The CEO Portal will be revised on an ongoing basis.

Feedback and suggestions are welcome (as well as notable case studies with principles of shared learning.). Email alison.bailey@decc.gsi.gov.uk.

Key pages on the CEO website:

• Finding funding
• Best Practice
• National Heat Map (for local authorities)
• Exploring your idea (community groups)
• Getting your project started
• Choosing a technology (community groups)
• Feasibility (community groups) 
• Finding installers (community groups)
• Useful websites

5. Renewable Heat Premium Payments (RHPP)

Since August, the Energy Saving Trust has provided over 3000 vouchers for homes' renewable heating systems under the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme. In particular, rural communities may benefit from RHPP vouchers for heat pumps and biomass boilers, available only to those whose homes are not heated via mains gas, though all British households are eligible for solar thermal vouchers (scheme rules apply). The scheme ends in March 2012.

6. Revised MCS heat pump installer standards

Revised MCS heat pump installer standards were published in September to tackle performance issues highlighted by the Energy Saving Trust's heat pump field trials. The performance of installations installed in accordance with the revised MCS standards is being monitored by DECC.

7. Low Carbon Communities Challenge - Evaluation

DECC has recently published several evaluation reports looking into various aspects of the Low Carbon Communities Challenge Evaluation. These reports can be found on the DECC website

8. "Addressing public concerns about wind power" 

A paper by the Centre for Sustainable Energy is available on the CSE website.

9. Investigation into heating oil companies and price comparison websites for heating oil

Communities off the gas grid may be interested in Office of Fair Trading's investigation into heating oil companies and price comparison websites for heating oil.

Please forward this Bulletin to local authorities, parish Councils, community groups, local contacts, other partners and stakeholder organizations who may have an interest. Those interested in receiving future Bulletins can sign up via the CEO website.