Councillor asks Scottish Government for helping hand on recycling

SNP Group Leader at Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Cllr Gordon Murray has written to Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham asking her to assist the local authority in hitting its green targets.

Comhairle owned wind farm

A renewed call for the Comhairle to build a wind farm was made at the Communities and Housing Committee on Tuesday 30^th April.

Renewable energy future in the Western Isles

With news of the predictable withdrawal of support for the islands interconnector by the UK Government

Supplementary Question to Chair of sustainable development

As confirmed to me by Ofgem this week, electricity prices are not regulated and set by suppliers operating in the competitive market. I wax happy to see the option of the ESCo setting up to be a fully licensed supply company was to be explored by the Comhairle.

Comhairle refuse to respond to community concerns

Comhairle convenor and the chair of sustainable development decided not to answer key questions asked by SNP councillor Gordon Murray at last Wednesday's full council.

An open letter to Fergus Ewing and Derek Mackay

Dear Mr Ewing/Mr Mackay,

I am writing to you in my capacity as an elected member in Comhairle nan Eilean Siar regarding the issue of local energy generation and grid capacity in the Western Isles.

"Community spirit is powering local politics in Lewis and Harris" - Michael Gray, Common Weal

As an Isle of Lewis community comes together to bid for the Barvas estate (click here to read more), Michael Gray explores how the grass-roots political movements inspired by indyref are moving forward on Lewis and Harris.

More on the Outer Hebrides Energy Supply Company

This is in response to the council administration's press release on the appointment of consultants to provide business planning support for the establishment of an Outer Hebrides Energy Supply Company.
Councillor Gordon Murray : "I welcome the Comhairle's announcement today regarding the establishment of an Outer Hebrides Energy Supply Company.

Better late than never ......

The Western Isles council SNP group welcome the late arrival of councillor Angus McCormack to a disgraceful issue facing islanders almost a year after Angus Brendan Macneil first raised it in the House of Commons.

Open letter to Derek Mackay regarding Uist turbines

In light of the recent decision by the Scottish Government minister Derek Mackay, Western Isles Council SNP Group leader councillor Donald Manford has written the minister highlighting the implications and consequences of his decision and to seek a way forward....

Energy, ESCo and the Economy of the Hebrides part 2

At the recent committee series ending 2nd October 2014, there was a welcome discussion on the Energy Supply Company through a report presented to the Sustainable Development Committee. A concept which the SNP Group have been pushing the council to take control of the swathes of potential renewable energy and generate clean electricity at huge discounts for every household in the Outer Hebrides.

Yes vote guarantees 100% crown estate revenues to western isles

Today saw the launch of the prospectus for Our Islands Our Future and the culmination of the hard work done by the three island council leaders and Derek Mackay MSP, Scottish Minister for Local Government and Planning in the Scottish government.

SNP Councillor John A.  Maciver, present at the launch of the prospectus, was delighted with the announcement from the First Minister that 100% of Crown Estates revenue would be retained in our Islands.

"This is fantastic news. We had hoped for 80% but to get 100% is excellent. This would mean that after a YES vote in the referendum, income from our coastlines such as our huge marine renewable energy potential will be kept in the islands rather than going down to UK Treasury, which happens at present.

"Only a Yes vote in September will allow us to reap all the benefits of our vast resources."

SNP Group leader fights for the future of renewable energy on the islands

Cllr Donald Manford, SNP

Eoligarry, Isle of Barra.

Cllr Angus Campbell

Leader, CnES

Stornoway, Isle of Lewis

Fuel poverty in the Outer Hebrides - the worst in Western Europe

I think since I joined the council two years ago, I had not seen such shocking statistics as I did today when a summary of the Western Isles Fuel Poverty survey was presented to the Environment and Protective Services Committee to which I am a member.

Truth will prevail

At the last council meeting, 30 councillors voted to give officers the green light to restore the Stornoway/Benbecula flight to 5 days. Nine of these 30 councillors voted (by way of amendment) to include Benbecula/Barra also.

SNP Group fights for Southern Isles renewable energy projects

SNP Councillor Donald Manford has written to the Scottish Government for local government and planning to voice and record his most serious concerns about the interaction currently between the Scottish Planning System and the Ministry of Defence.

Hidden energy costs Scots have to pay to preserve English scenery

The following bulletin is an item regarding the path of a proposed route for grid electricity pylons in the South of England.

Energy, ESCo and the Economy of the Western Isles

Energy is a critical issue and even more so in the Outer Hebrides. It is a strange situation to be in when we have a lot of free renewable energy potential available yet we are still dependent on costly conventional energy - costly not only in terms of price but also transportation which, of course has been a huge local issue.

A letter (11 Sep 2013)sent by the SNP Group leader Donald Manford to Julian Chafner of the Ministry of Defence questioning the reasoning given by the MOD with regards to objections to the turbines at North Uist. Should there be an enquiry as to why the safeguarding area is extended here and only just recently?

MSP approaches MOD regarding the Uist energy plans

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, has recently contacted the Secretary of State for Defence, Philip Hammond MP,