Labour to give incentives for energy efficiency
A Labour government will introduce incentives to promote energy efficiency and exploit Malta’s natural resources, Labour leader Alfred Sant said this evening. He told supporters during a discussion in Senglea that the MLP remained committed to cutting the power surcharge by half within a week of taking office. It would also take up oil exploration, which, he said, had been abandoned.
Dr Sant used the occasion to debut a new campaign bus, and was given an enthusiastic welcome by hundreds of people. The party’s candidates on the second district were introduced, including party deputy leader Michael Falzon.
The Labour leader said promises about the regeneration of Cottonera had not been realised. Nothing had come of the promised sea transport to Valletta, the underground car park at Santa Margherita, the restoration of the Macina and the redevelopment of the Dock 1 area, he said.
It would now be a Labour government which would tackle the projects which Cottonera needed.
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Dave Gibbs
Feb 8th 2008, 17:26
Echoing Mr. Vella's comment below, why does the MLP need a huge bus to travel Malta while touting energy efficiency? How many people are travelling in a bus capable of handling over 50 people? Why not use a hybrid gas-electric model automobile or utility vehicle?
Mario Vella
Feb 7th 2008, 16:15
If one opens the Operational Programme (i.e. the prgramme for the structural funds) one will see that Energy and alternative energy is one area to be tackled. In fact in the present call (closes 22 Feb), there are over 10M Euros for projects in this field, including schemes.
In addition, govt has been offering rebates for energy efficient appliances and solar energy. So that give the lie that this govt has done nothing - maybe it have done more, but not nothing!!
On the otherhand, I hope that everyone realises that alterantive energy is only clean energy and NOT free energy - it is in fact more expensive to produce. Are we ready to pay more for clean energy - I am - but are the Maltese ready fir this!!!
Michael Cremona
Feb 7th 2008, 11:58
It would be nice to know what these incentives are. Talk is all very well, but specifics are important, and with Alfred Sant, lack of specifics seem to be a constant issue. There are already a number of fiscal and tax related incentives for energy efficiency (rebates on solar water heaters, reduced tax on electric vehicles, rebates on energy efficient home appliances,not to mention the surcharge, which is the biggest incentive of them all) . Are these to be retained? Removed? Replaced? Increased? Lets have some substance please....
Andrew Vella
Feb 7th 2008, 11:07
I find it very contradictory that the MLP is using a coach for promotional purposes whilst talking about energy efficiency. These vehicles are heavy pollutants.
Joe Micallef
Feb 7th 2008, 10:47
Mr. Bonello might well decide to wake up. Words are cheap and promises even cheaper! It is exactly your last paragraph that should sound the wake up call. Two questions
1. Are you surprised the MLP does not boast of its past and present performance?
2. How do you reconcile this promise with the promise of reducing the surcharge?
Mark Vella
Feb 7th 2008, 10:45
Labour's energy proposals are vague and outdated.
Re surcharge: the slashing by half is a wild electoral gimmick which is not costed. It will lift a burden but does not bring social justice, as the polluter is still not paying and the relative proportion of the surcharge will still be high for the low and middle income earner. A more just solution is the one proposed by AD for a tiered surcharge according to consumption, thus promoting responsibility in usage and a better distribution of monetary burden.
The oil exploration proposal is another gimmick, and shows Labour's inepteness in energy matters, due to an outdated idea concerning dependence on fossil fuels.
What does the MLP say about renewable energy?
Mark Bonello
Feb 7th 2008, 09:58
Well done to the Malta Labour Party as it is promoting Alternative Energy and efficient use of Energy. This is in contrast to the PN that has done nothing in the past 20 years on the matter!
This proves that the MLP is actually looking at the future with a sense of hope and showing it is a party that is not only concerned with the present or the past but the only party that is actually thinking of the future and the well-being of our children.
Tom Gouder
Feb 7th 2008, 09:18
What guarantee have we got that when exploration drilling starts we are going to find oil . Even if we do find oil and gas is it going to be financially viable to extract? This is not something that happens over night. Therefore what alternative measures we are going to take in the interim period !!!!
Elisa Borg
Feb 7th 2008, 01:17
Glad to hear someone talking about energy efficiency.
It's probably the most responsible thing I've from heard from PN or MLP throughout the whole campaign.