County council earns green award

Shropshire County Council has been given an award for its use of "green" energy from sustainable sources.

The certificate, from energy company N Power, highlights the council's commitment to environmentally-friendly sources of energy.

A one-year contract has now been agreed with N Power which ensures 100% of electricity used by council properties is derived from a sustainable source.

The council uses more than 23 million units of electricity each year.

'Preserve environment'

In 2000, West Mercia Supplies, the purchasing consortium which is jointly owned and operated by Shropshire County Council and three other neighbouring councils, negotiated a three-year contract with N Power to supply electricity to council buildings.

But it was under the proviso that 10% of the electricity supplied had to be green electricity.

Now a new one-year contract has been signed which will ensure all of the electricity used in council properties comes from a sustainable source.

The move will prevent the production of more than 10,000 tons of carbon dioxide, one of the gases linked to the problem of global warming.

John Stevens, cabinet member for sustainability, said: "The council has a responsibility to set a good example to other businesses and we hope others will follow our lead in using green energy to preserve the environment."