News

Still Time to Access Environmental Technology Grants

20th August 2007
More than 80 North Yorkshire businesses have reduced their carbon footprint by making their energy use more efficient, following the launch of the Environmental Technologies Funding Project two years ago.

Eligible businesses in rural, upland and coastal areas can access up to £1,500 funding in the grant scheme administered through York and North Yorkshire Business Environmental Forum (YNYBEF) which will run until the end of the year (December 2007).

Grants for energy-efficient improvements have allowed eligible businesses to obtain grants of up to £1,500 on a matched-funding bases to make energy-efficiency improvements recommended by YNYBEF. These include adopting energy-efficient technologies such as condensing boilers, wall cavity and roof insulation, low-energy lighting and water control equipment.

Among the 80 successful grant-supported projects so far are the installation of 32 energy-efficient boilers, 30 insulation schemes, ten lighting initiatives and one water-efficient toilet, three swimming pool covers and one rainwater harvesting project.

The programme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and Yorkshire Forward and managed by Business Link York and North Yorkshire.

Eligible businesses can obtain advice on grant support for environmental projects by contacting YNYBEF on 01904-554541 or by visiting the projects page to read more about the available support, eligibility and the application process.

Business in national parks can get help from YNYBEF's national parks officer, Laura Backhouse.

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Environmental Grant Ensures Warm Welcome as Dales Guesthouse cuts Fuel Use

16th August 2007
A Dales guest house has reduced its carbon footprint and increased its fuel efficiency, thanks to advice and financial help from York and North Yorkshire Business Environmental Forum (YNYBEF).

Elmfield House, Arrathorne, Bedale, which is popular with visitors to the Yorkshire Moors and Dales, has decreased its fuel consumption and increased comfort for guests after carrying out cavity wall and loft insulation with help from a YNYBEF Environmental Technology Grant.

YNYBEF, a subsidiary of Ryedale Energy Conservation Group, provided matched funding for half of the £1,740 cost of the insulation project after advising Elmfield House owner, Astra Towning, that it was the most significant environmental improvement for her business.

Astra Towning, who has run Elmfield House since June 2004 and welcomed about 2,000 visitors last year, says: "As a small business, fuel costs are among our biggest outgoings. We initially wanted to look at how we could cut costs by reducing the amount of fuel we use and our environmental impact by getting more efficient boilers.

"However YNYBEF advised that the best initial step would be to retain as much of the heat that we generate as possible and this meant doubling our existing insulation.

"The advice and grant we received was very helpful. YNYBEF helped with all of the paper work which saved me a lot of time and the matched funding was enough to bring the cost of the project to a manageable level for us faster than would have otherwise been possible.

"Their advice has also given us a plan for further measures to reduce our fuel consumption and environmental impact in this lovely part of the county over the next five years or so."

York-based YNYBEF provides eligible businesses in rural, upland and coastal parts of North Yorkshire with Environmental Technology Grants of up to £1,500 on a matched-funded basis to deliver recommended energy efficiency improvements by installing technologies such as condensing boilers, insulation, low energy lighting and water control systems.

YNYBEF business environmental co-ordinator, Therese Hamill, says: "Our aim is to make eligible businesses in the areas we serve the most energy efficient in the UK. Climate change can be helped by each of us thinking how we can adopt practical measures such as these.

"We are delighted that Astra Towning contacted us and that Elmfield House is better insulated and more fuel efficient as a result."

The programme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and Yorkshire Forward and managed by Business Link York and North Yorkshire.

Eligible businesses can obtain advice on grant support for environmental projects by contacting YNYBEF on 01904-664541 or by visiting the projects page to read more about the available support, eligibility and the application process.

Business in national parks can get help from YNYBEF's national parks officer, Laura Backhouse.

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Hotel sees the Light in Reducing Energy Consumption

1st August 2007
An east coast country house hotel has retained its glowing ambience while reducing its energy consumption, thanks to help and advice from a York and North Yorkshire environmental body.

Raven Hall Country House Hotel, which stands in 100-acre grounds overlooking Robin Hood's Bay, between Whitby and Scarborough, has switched more than 500 of its light bulbs to low energy use with the help of funding from York and North Yorkshire Business Environmental Forum (YNYBEF).

The 52-room hotel and conference centre, which was founded as a hotel in the 1890s and attracts 30,000 visitors a year, applied for the funding as part of a vigorous policy to reduce its carbon footprint and energy consumption.

Managing director of Epworth Hotels, which acquired the hotel three years ago, Clive Rowe-Evans, says: "Our beautiful chandeliers and lighting are essential to the atmosphere of a country house hotel but we also want to be as energy efficient as possible and are even asking guests not to leave televisions on stand-by in their rooms.

"Our interests were more driven by environmental concerns than a desire to reduce costs when we sought an Environmental Technology Grant to replace our light bulbs with low energy ones. So far we have replaced about 75 per cent of our total light bulbs, as low energy technology is not yet available for all types of lighting.

"York and North Yorkshire Business Environment Forum was very helpful. The move has been noticed by many of our guests who have congratulated us on doing our bit to help the environment."

York-based YNYBEF provides eligible businesses in rural, upland and coastal parts of North Yorkshire with Environmental Technology Grants of up to £1,500 on a matched funding basis if they carry out recommended energy efficiency improvements by installing technologies such as condensing boilers, insulation, low energy lighting and water control systems.

YNYBEF business environmental co-ordinator, Therese Hamill, says: "Our aim is to make the areas we serve the most energy efficient in the UK. Addressing climate change can be helped by each of us thinking how we can adopt practical measures such as these.

"We are delighted that Raven Hall Country House Hotel spotted an opportunity to reduce its energy use while retaining its wonderful atmosphere and are particularly pleased that this has been noted by guests, many of whom are business people attending conferences."

The programme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and Yorkshire Forward and managed by Business Link York and North Yorkshire.

Eligible businesses can obtain advice on grant support for environmental projects by contacting YNYBEF on 01904-664541 or by visiting the projects page to read more about the available support, eligibility and the application process.

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Environmental Technologies Funding

YE Magazine - Yorkshire & Humber Feb / Mar 2007
York and North Yorkshire Business Environmental Forum Provides funding to businesses looking to invest in energy efficient technologies, with grants of up to £1500 available. Applicants must provide match funding however. The scheme is open to businesses which are based in Objective 2 areas of North Yorkshire, have a maximum of 249 employees and have a turnover of £28 million or less. For more information call 01904 554541.

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Business Link

Scarborough Trader 15th Feb 2007
Last year proved a costly year for increasing fuel bills with six of the largest energy suppliers announcing price rises throughout the year. To ensure that local businesses don't caught up with the effects of these rises; BEF is advising companies to consider installing an energy efficiency boiler, which could offer potential savings of up to 25%.

Therese Hamill. Business Environmental Adviser for BEF, says: "Hot topics of conversation over the past year have included the various energy suppliers putting up their prices and the worrying effects of wasted energy on our environment.

"Local businesses can help reduce the costs of their fuel bills, whilst still having a positive impact on the environment, by getting an energy efficiency boiler installed.

BEF provides access to Environmental Technologies financial support, which enables eligible businesses to access up to £1,500 of match funding to make recommended energy efficiency improvements and install energy efficient technologies including condensing boilers, insulation, low energy lighting and water control equipment.

Businesses interested in reading more about the grant scheme, eligibility and the application process should visit www.here4greenbusiness.co.uk.

This programme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund and Yorkshire Forward and managed by Business Link York and North Yorkshire.

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Grant of up to £1,500 to help firms cut bills

The Harrogate Advertiser 26th Jan 2007
Businesses in the district could be eligible for thousands of pounds of funding to help them reduce the costs of their fuel bills while having a positive effect on the environment.

Independent advice organisation York and North Yorkshire Business Environmental Forum (BEF) is offering two types of financial support to help businesses this winter.

With six of the largest energy suppliers announcing price rises throughout 2006 and with fuel bills set to increase as we enter the heart of winter, BEF is advising companies to consider installing an energy efficiency boiler, which could offer potential savings of up to 25 per cent.

Companies wishing to do so could benefit from Environmental Technologies financial support provided by BEF. This enables eligible businesses to access up to £1,500 of match funding to make recommended energy efficiency improvements and install energy efficient technologies including condensing boilers, insulation, low energy lighting and water control equipment.

BEF also provides access to Renewable Energy financial support, which can offer eligible businesses up to £4,000 of matching funding to purchase and install renewable technology alternatives, including solar panels, wind and water power, fuel cells and energy crops.

For information on the grants, eligibility and the application process, contact the Business Environmental Forum 01904 554541.

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Companies urged to take up the green grants for a better future

Yorkshire Post 9th Feb 2006
Two grant schemes have been launched in the region to help businesses improve their energy use and reduce their impact on the environment. Available to businesses in North Yorkshire, the schemes - set up by the York and North Yorkshire Business Environmental Forum (BEF) - are based around renewable energy and environmental technology.

Environmental Technologies funding will enable eligible businesses to access up to £1,500 of funding to make energy efficiency improvements and install technologies including condensing boilers, insulation, low energy lighting and water control equipment. The second scheme, Renewable Energy funding, will give businesses access to up to £4,000 to purchase and install renewable technology alternatives, including solar panels, photovoltaics, wind and water power, fuel cells and energy crops.

As part of the funding assessment, a BEF project officer will carry out an environmental audit within a business, highlighting areas where environmental efficiency can be improved and measured. The project aims to reduce the consumption of natural resources, such as the burning of fossil fuels and the use of water.

BEF business environmental adviser, Owen Daggett, said: "The purpose of these grants is to help eligible businesses in North Yorkshire who want to take an active approach to reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. What many businesses don't realise is that this can lead to significant cost savings in the longer term, as well as helping them improve their public image and gain a competitive edge."

This service is one of a number that are funded by Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Business Link York and North Yorkshire.

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Talks on Energy Efficiency

York Press 9th Dec 2005
The York and North Yorkshire Business Environmental Forum has organised two events to help businesses with energy efficiency. The free events, on April 5 at Bainbridge National Parks offices in the Dales and April 6 at Sutton Bank National Parks offices in the North York Moors, will offer businesses the chance to talk to environmental professionals. For details, call 01904 554541.

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'Green' grants for firms

Leybum News Tue November 29 2005
Leyburn businesses may be able to benefit from grants designed to help them become more environmentally friendly. The first grant is a lump sum of up to £1,500, available as match funding for companies to put in place measures to reduce their environmental impact.

The grant can be used to install technology with a positive impact on environmental performance, such as replacement boilers and low-energy lighting. The second grant is a lump sum of up to £4,000, available as match funding, for businesses to install renewable energy technologies that will reduce their environmental impact. This grant could be used to install solar hot water heating systems, biomass boilers, air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps or wind turbines.

To see if your business is eligible for the grant, or to discuss the project, contact Therese Hamill at the York and North Yorkshire Business Environmental Forum on 01904 554541.

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Nidderdale News Tue November 29 2005
Businesses in Nidderdale have a chance to get hold of a grant of up to £1,500 to help them become more environmentally friendly. The grant is part of a new project called Implementing Environmental Best Practice, which is being run by the York and North Yorkshire Business Environmental Forum, and supported by Harrogate Borough Council.

The £1,500 lump sum is available as match funding for companies who wish to put in place measures that will reduce their environmental impact, for example by using renewable energy, reducing waste, conserving water, and becoming more energy efficient. The aim is for each business to achieve a 10 per cent improvement in their chosen area.

The grant is separate from the recently announced the Nidderdale AONB Sustainable Development Fund, but the aim is the same- to help ensure that future generations will benefit from the environment as much as we do today. Coun Les Ellington, Harrogate Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Environmental Health said: "Many businesses recognise the importance of environmental stewardship, from the largest corporations to the smallest companies. This money will help businesses in Nidderdale to afford the measures that will reduce their environmental impact on this special area, and which could ultimately save them money". The grant fund is able to provide money to 85 businesses, all of which must fall in European Objective Two areas of North Yorkshire - which includes Nidderdale. The grant scheme will finish in March 2008.

If you are interested in discussing the grant project further, please contact Therese Hamill at Business Environmental Forum 01904 554541.