4.6 I believe reduction in energy bills in a radius around clean energy
infrastructure will promote its public acceptance, as other factors like
housing is already cheaper around this infrastructure.
5. Is it right to expect those in more remote areas of the country to pay
higher amounts in standing charges?
5.1 Practically, remote locations need more infrastructure, pipe work,
to receive an energy connection. This requires more material, labour, and
finance. As this is more expensive for the companies, it may be sufficient
evidence for higher standing charges, as call outs for maintenance require
trade professionals and materials to travel further rurally. Similarly, as
energy is transported further it will experience more loss to waste
products. The charity organisation CAN [Community Action
Northumberland] campaigns for electricity in its rural areas found that
“most connections to the grid can cost around £60,000 if it is
straightforward,” but due to land ownership and national park restrictions
a connection can cost much more (n.d).
5.2 However, some rural areas may be less financially rich, and
struggle with receiving regional funding or receiving exported goods.
Therefore, it may not be morally right to charge remote settlements a
higher standing charge, as residence may not have chosen to live here,
raising standing charges may financially restrict their movements.
5.2.1
This is supported by the Welsh Senedd’s
commissioned research into their rural communities, and they
found that they already pay more for basic commodities due to
their far proximity from towns and cities their “day-to-day essential
items including food and clothing will typically [be] higher prices
as a result of this” (NFU Cymru, 2022, p. 4). As a result, a higher
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