Today campaign group, Power for People, thanked MP Sarah Olney for supporting a new Bill in Parliament that would help rebuild local economies while increasing clean energy generation.

The proposed new law, known as the Local Electricity Bill, is supported by 187 MPs.

It would create a new 'Right to Local Supply' of energy that would empower communities to sell locally-generated electricity directly to nearby households and businesses.

Currently, customers can only buy electricity from nationally licensed utilities.

Power for People are calling for MPs and the government to make the Bill law and are leading a supportive coalition of organisations including Community Energy England, Community Energy Wales, Community Energy Scotland, WWF, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth and the RSPB.

A total of 44 local authorities have also pledged their support.

Power for People's director Steve Shaw said: "We thank Sarah Olney for supporting the Local Electricity Bill.

"If made law, it would unleash the huge potential for new community-owned clean energy infrastructure and for this to boost local economies, jobs, services, and facilities in communities across the country."

Ms Olney, Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, said: "The Local Electricity Bill will empower and enable new community energy companies to sell energy that they generate directly to local people which will help strengthen local economies.

"This is urgently needed given the economic shock of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The Bill will also help accelerate our transition to clean energy, which is critical in avoiding the potential economic and ecological devastation of climate change.

"I will do all I can to ensure it becomes law."

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