June 16, 2006 This news release issued by Energy Action Scotland

Fife, (June 16, 2006) -- There will soon be an even warmer welcome for everyone at the Philp Hall community centre in Kirkcaldy, thanks to an initiative to improve its energy efficiency. Local MP Gordon Brown today visits the centre to find out more about the improvements. Also attending is Marilyn Livingstone MSP.

When charity Energy Action Scotland received funding for its warmer communities initiative from local employer ExxonMobil, it approached Mr Brown to nominate a community centre which could benefit from better energy efficiency. Philp Hall was found to have an old and inefficient heating system controller and the project enabled Fife Council to replace it with one which gives much more control over timings and reacts according to weather conditions.

Thanks to the new system, the various groups that use the centre will be warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Other benefits will be lower fuel bills for the centre - and less energy used will also be good for the environment.

An information session for centre users to help them save energy in their own homes is also planned.

Gordon Brown said: "Energy Action Scotland do a tremendous amount of work to raise the issues around fuel poverty and achieving better energy efficiency. I am delighted that they have teamed up with Fife Council and ExxonMobil to bring a new energy efficient heating system into the Philp Hall that will bring benefits to all users. Over the coming months we will work with all partners to publicise the benefits of domestic energy efficiency initiatives to the wider public."

Norman Kerr, director, Energy Action Scotland, commented: “Making our buildings more energy efficient is important, as they will be more comfortable for those using them and fuel bills will be lower. It was thanks to the funding from ExxonMobil that we were able to carry out this project.”

Jan Naets, plant manager, Fife Ethylene Plant, added: “Energy efficiency is essential for us all – in our homes, businesses and community buildings. ExxonMobil is pleased to be able to support Energy Action Scotland in its warmer communities initiative and I am delighted to have the opportunity today to see this initiative in action close to our operations in Fife."

Steve Grimmond, Fife Council’s head of Community Services, said: “Fife Council welcomes initiatives to tackle energy efficiency and fuel poverty and the Philp Hall one is a good practical example of this. Our commitment to energy efficiency is enshrined in the Fife Community Plan where we are aiming to develop a ‘sustainable Fife’ and through our environmental initiative ‘Take a Pride in Fife’.”

Background notes:

Energy Action Scotland is the national charity which works for warm, dry homes for all. It aims to eliminate fuel poverty by:

• raising awareness of fuel poverty, particularly as it affects low income households; maintaining fuel poverty as a national issue of high priority; and working towards affordable warmth for all;

• identifying effective solutions which can transform cold, damp houses into warm, dry homes;

• researching fuel poverty and related issues in order to provide in-depth understanding of the causes and effects and to promote best practice;

• securing public and private investment in domestic energy efficiency initiatives.

Philp Hall is used by a large variety of clubs and organisations for all ages, including parent and toddler groups and senior citizen groups. The centre is also used for functions. It has disabled access.