National Energy Action (NEA) Newcastle
Meeting with Ann-Marie, David, Denise, and Peter – National Energy Action (NEA). Meeting at NEA, Newcastle Upon Tyne
You will recall that I had met Helen from NEA in Cardiff, and since that time I was looking forward to visiting NEA in Newcastle. I had communicated with Ann-Marie numerous times in the lead up to the appointment, and she met me at NEA reception at 11.30.
We wandered up several flights of stairs to a meeting room and we began our chat. Over the course of the meeting, David from the research division, Denise from the education section, and Peter from policy joined in.
NEA Structure. Ann-Marie explained that NEA has four major divisions: “Operations” including projects of which she is part. “Communications”, including press, public relations, business supporters, library and research team. ”Business development”, including education and training. And “Support services” including human resources and finance.
Projects. Sitting within the operations division, projects include the testing of new and emerging technologies, such as air source heat pumps, biomass, solar thermal. The focus is not on performance for all per se, rather the testing tries to establish what impact the technology would have on the most vulnerable and their homes.
Communications. David explained that his division included profile and message development and campaigning, particularly to Westminster, MP’s and Ministers. NEA receives 40-50% of its funding from UK government department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). The policy and research recommendations upon which they are based are focused on outcomes. That is, NEA strives to document robust recommendations, that have been evaluated in advance, and then provide the foundation upon which to campaign. David also explained that some research has been completed in the North East of England that details the economic impact of fuel poverty mitigation strategies. Both job numbers and economy have grown. I indicated Australian and Tasmania governments are focused on evidence based initiatives. David agreed to locate the reports and forward on.
NEA’s Wish List. Ann-Marie and Peter spoke to many of the issues on their Top Ten list. One particular area of discussion was the call for a single energy efficiency scheme, given the range and complexity of grants and programs currently available. This led to a discussion on the widely admired (un-means tested) Winter Fuel Payments to all those over 60. Peter reiterated the origin of much of the fuel poverty movement, and I indicated that excess winter deaths may not be as dramatic in Tasmania, but morbidity and suffering is likely to be underestimated, and the association with cold damp homes may not be widely acknowledged. We discussed the tensions that may exist between social justice and environmental campaigns, and agreed that the arguments in favour of equality need to be injected into the climate change debate.
Campaigning. We engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding campaigns. Peter indicated that excess winter deaths was a major headline grabber and morbidity was a major issue in terms of health system costs that could be greatly reduced. Ann-Marie indicated that the health professions are very focused on evidence and large scale epidemiological studies are needed but would only confirm what is already known – cold homes costs lives and make people ill – the costs of the expensive studies are better sought for the improvement of people’s homes. Ann-Marie reinforced the idea of synergies between partners, and argued in favour of “pitching” arguments carefully depending on the audience. NEA has experts in all fields and are able to call on these people to provide information depending on which audience is being engaged. Ultimately the same goal for NEA stands, as it has for almost 30 years, “amplify the voice of vulnerable households”.
Education. Denise shared with me some of the training program that NEA delivers across the North East. Some courses have exams and result in a qualification, others are refresher courses or provide entry level information provision about fuel poverty, grants and programs, and energy advice. A new program is being developed to assist “debt adviser” to understand more fully the nature of fuel poverty, negotiating with utilities, and assisting people to better manage their energy use so as to minimize their future bills.
Takeaways. Fuel poverty statistics in England up to April 2009. NEA’s Fuel Poverty Top Ten wish list for government. An outline of research projects for 09-10, and training course outlines.
At 1.15, the meeting wound up, I thanked everyone for their contributions and Ann-Marie led me down the stairs to the reception area. Standing near the door I pointed to the Fuel Poverty Declaration and Ann-Marie explained the origin of the regional partnership commitment (signed by local councils, service provides, installers, and fuel poverty campaigners). I asked for a copy, and Ann-Marie passed me a report that incorporated the Declaration and other key information.
