The Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire has been helping businesses in the two counties for almost 200 years and has become involved in very many different projects.

But one of the most unusual to date must be the bio-ethanol project.

The project takes orchard apples that would otherwise be unused, turns them into pure alcohol (bio-ethanol) and then turns that into 'green' electricity for residents via the grid.

Now, the project is steaming ahead and is applying for R&D funding from the Government to research a new process. A company called Coressence has been formed to drive the project and it has turned to the Chamber of Commerce and Business Link to help progress its plans.

Because the energy produced is green - or 'renewable' due to the fact the apples will replenish themselves - the project attracts a subsidy of £30 per Mwh of energy. This means it is not only an environmentally-friendly project, but also an economically viable one as well.

"It's a classic win-win situation," said Richard Wood, chief operating officer of Coressence. "There is an over-supply of apples in Herefordshire and we can use these to supply quite substantial amounts of green electricity, which is better for everyone.

"In addition, the process keeps and creates jobs - especially important in the farming sector - and has positive environmental benefits for the wildlife species that live in the orchards, many of them threatened and in decline.

"By creating new markets for the surplus fruit we are actually saving the 360,000 fruit trees that would otherwise be grubbed and burned.

"This in turn reduces carbon emissions, as trees absorb carbon, and the presence of the trees creates more jobs in the tourism industry in the county as Herefordshire's landscapes and orchards definitely help to attract visitors."

Christopher Harvey, policy and lobbying manager for the Chamber of Commerce, said: "As well as helping individual businesses, the Chamber gets involved in projects such as this which help everyone through creating employment opportunities, creating greener, cheaper energy and maintaining the beautiful landscapes for visitors and tourists."

Information from www.coressence.co.uk

Fuel a necessity for Chamber of Commerce members says survey

A survey conducted amongst Chamber of Commerce members during the recent fuel price protests have highlighted growing concern for future fuel supplies.

The survey revealed 92% of those questioned believed that not enough funding had been allocated to research into alternative fuels.

"The survey shows that the business community has limited confidence in the government's ability to capitalise on alternative fuels. This is particularly worrying for us as sugar beet, which is easily grown in the county, can be a rich source of Bio-ethanol," said Christopher Harvey, Policy and Lobbying manager at Chamber of Commerce, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

More worryingly for businesses within the county 26 per cent of companies had made cuts in a variety of areas including company dividends and a lowering of wage increases.

"Lower wages usually keep the county competitive," said Mr Harvey.

"However, in this case it is to offset the high cost of fuel. Cuts in wages will reduce the amount of money in the economy, which could lead to problems in retail sectors or an increase in consumer debt."

For further information, please contact Christopher Harvey, Policy and Lobbying manager, Chamber of Commerce, Herefordshire and Worcestershire, on 0845 641 1499 or email: charvey@chambercs.co.uk