The Liberal Democrat Edward Davey is to step in to replace disgraced Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne, who resigned on Friday.

In his first statement on Friday as Energy Secretary, Davey pledged his support to a green economy with green jobs and investment.

“This is a sad day because Chris Huhne has had a real vision for a green economy and he’s done fabulous work as Secretary of State,” he said. “I’m determined to work to follow on Chris’s priorities, the Coalition’s priorities and to make them my priorities.”

Davey trained as an economist but has been a campaigner for environmental issues since university.

“I have long believed in the need to marry our economic and environmental agendas. By focusing on the low carbon industries of the future we can rebalance our economy, reducing our dependence on the City of London on the one hand, and on oil and gas imports from unstable parts of the world on the other,” he said in a statement.

He reiterated commitment to the Coalitions flagship initiatives and said there would be “no change in direction or ambition”.

“My priorities are very simple: green jobs, green growth and getting the best deal for energy bill payers,” he added. “My department is already implementing bold and ambitious reforms – like electricity market reform and the Green Deal – to unlock private investment, drive innovation and build a resilient, green, competitive economy. It’s now my job to see those through.”

Today he and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg are visiting a green homes testing side at the Building Research Establishment’s Innovation Park near Watford.

Davey took the opportunity to announce funding of £5.1 million for 155 community energy projects across the UK from the Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF). Funding of £4 million for a first round of 82 schemes was announced last month.

The funding supports projects like demonstrating wall insulation, checking the energy efficiency of homes and local community events promoting energy efficiency.

“These grants are designed to nurture the ideas and enthusiasm of communities up and down the country who want to cut energy use, cut emissions and save money,” says Davey.

For further information:
www.decc.gov.uk
www.greencommunitiescc.org.uk/

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Breaking news: UK Energy Secretary Chris Huhne resigns (3-Feb)
UK government gives £4 million boost to local energy schemes (16-Jan)