Letter: Energy drive

YOUR report (22 July) highlighted yet another rise in the price of electricity, making it difficult for many people to heat their homes adequately.

On the same day, you carried an article reporting that Energy Secretary Chris Huhne deplored the lack of resolve among world leaders to limit greenhouse gas emissions.

In Britain, however, we could easily take one significant step, benefiting both needy consumers and the global environment. A domestic electricity bill shows the same price per kWh whether the quantity used is small or large. A simple alteration in the billing structure would enable everyone to have a certain amount of electricity at an affordable rate, while any amount over this limit would be at a higher price.

The amount of cheap rate electricity allowed per customer would be set by the regulator. The power companies, however, would set their own prices for the cheap rate and for additional consumption, maintaining the competitive market. The result would be a real incentive for consumers to develop strategies to stay within the lower price band.

MYRTLE ASHMOLE

Kidston Mill

Peebles