NOW GREEN SPIES WILL SNOOP IN YOUR HOME

[IRiSHMaFIA]

AN army of eco-snoopers is to be unleashed in the Government’s drive to save the planet.

Ministers announced plans yesterday for home energy audits which are expected to add hundreds of pounds a year to household bills.

The reports – condemned as “intrusive” by campaigners – will catalogue in minute detail all the energy used and pollution caused by millions of homes.

Insulation, double glazing and the efficiency of central heating systems and household appliances could all be inspected by specially trained “green” inspectors.

Home owners will also be encouraged to carry out renovations of their properties to bring them in line with the latest energy-saving ideas.

The scheme is expected to cost householders £500, and any family which refuses to comply can expect to be hit by crippling rises in council tax and other charges.

The move towards environmental inspections for private homes provoked outrage. Tory MP David Davies said: “This preposterous idea is nothing at all to do with tackling carbon emissions. It is just another excuse to send snoopers into private homes and fleece hard-earned money out of households.”

Environment Secretary David Miliband (pictured) made it clear that those who failed to comply with the energy-saving drive would face the “pain” of financial penalties such as higher council tax.

“It’s painful if you’ve got an energy-inefficient house,” he said. “If people do the right thing, they will benefit. If they don’t do the right thing, they won’t benefit.”

The energy audit plan was revealed in a document called Climate Change Strategic Framework, released by the Department for Environmental and Rural Affairs.

It was published as part of a media blitz by Tony Blair and senior ministers on “green” issues.

The Prime Minister claimed Britain was leading the world by becoming the first nation to introduce a “revolutionary” new climate change law designed to set tough limits on pollution.

He wants the Climate Change Bill, which aims to cut Britain’s carbon emissions by nearly two-thirds, to become law by next year.

The Defra document outlines the strategy for turning Britain into a low-carbon economy.

“The scale of change is similar in scope to the first industrial revolution,” says the document.

It adds that in a low-carbon future “most consumers undertake a home energy audit, and have access to companies that can provide a hassle-free renovation service where you can buy now, but pay later, as your energy bills come down.”

But critics fear that the inspectors, while checking on installations such as double glazing, would require access to all areas of a home, and could pry into family details such as use of baths, showers, washing machines and dishwashers.

Sources at Defra said the audits could expand the system of energy performance certificates which will be needed to sell homes. Under the home information pack scheme, sellers must pay up to £150 for an inspector to grade the home’s energy efficiency.

But home energy audits are likely to go far further – and cost many times more. They would be expected to assess the home’s carbon footprint in a long-term drive to make all houses carbon neutral.

Campaigners were last night furious that the Government was considering yet another round of intrusive monitoring of households. Blair Gibbs, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: “They are trying to win us over by going green and claiming it won’t hurt our pockets, but then they admit we’ll have to make the time, effort and money to have energy audits carried out.”

The audits are among a barrage of measures the Government believes are necessary to meet the target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Others include generating most electricity by wind and wave power and low-carbon fuels, as well as a new generation of nuclear power stations.

Meanwhile, an academic called for wartime-style ration books to keep account of energy use.

Dr Mark Roodhouse, a history lecturer at York University, said consumers should be given an equal ration of carbon points which can be sold or traded, to spend on fuel, gas and electricity.

“The Blitz spirit still plays an important role in popular memory and could be rekindled to rally support for carbon rationing,” he said.

In another green stunt, Mr Blair teamed up with California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for a joint TV interview about climate change.

Mr Schwarzenegger said: “Prime Minister Blair is the action hero, because he is inspiring the world the way he is going about it.”

- Chain store Currys is to stop selling traditional light bulbs as soon as possible and will switch to new energy-efficient fluorescent ones, which are up to 10 times more expensive. But environmentalists claim they are cheaper in the long run because they last longer and use less power.

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I understand environmental issues are very important but this idea is completely absurd. I'd not let one of these bastards into my home to have a look about. I'd not let anyone from the government in as my home is none of their bloody business

The smart idea to me would be to publish guidelines to help the public curve consumption and give ideas to make their home more eco-friendly, but basically pushing their way into your home is an extremely disturbing idea.

Schwarzenegger calling Blair a 'super hero' should probably have a look at his own dwelling. I'm sure it takes quadruple the power to light up his digs than the average household and the same goes for Al Gore when he was at the Oscars giving off his speech about it.

I'm not saying the message is wrong, but these politicians that live in massive homes use more power than most of us combined, and you can bet your arse they're not following the guidelines they expect the average consumer too.

If they cared so much they should get smaller homes and not have the heated swimming pools and all the other luxuries that obviously use more power and resources than everyone else.

[pirtybirdy]

I don't mind using ways to be environmentally friendly, or to save energy, I just like being forced to do it. That's where I'd draw the line. I'd revolt. lol

[IRiSHMaFIA]

[eefanincan]

No way would I let anyone in my home. That's absolutely far too intrusive. Maybe they should offer an inspection service to those who are interested in it, but there are better ways to get people to be more environmentally friendly.

[Twirley]

[faceless]

[fritz]

What about this crap about buying carbon points so you can be a pig and uses all you want?
Sounds like the rich get away with eating there cake and keeping too.

[faceless]

[nekokate]