I, AND more than 80 per cent of the general public, would agree with Chris Clayton (Gordon, The UK Needs Green Tax Incentives, April 27), that action must be taken to combat global warming.

However, we are up against the very powerful vested interests of the fossil fuel and nuclear industries.

The Government provides grants towards installing solar water heating and other domestic micro-power-generating installations. Funds are limited and hedged around with much planning, building regulation and other bureaucratic impediments.

The return on some of these technologies is better than that from double glazing.

Apart from large energy savings obtainable by minimising heat loss from buildings, York could provide all its power needs from local pollution-free sources: hydro power at Linton and Naburn Locks; heat pumps extracting power from the rivers, the ground or the air; plus the ample wind blowing in the large, flat Vale of York.

Instead of everyone doing their own thing, resulting in much bureaucratic effort and neighbour disputes, it would be better if we put our funds together and built much more efficient community projects.

There are many opportunities. A prime and appropriate site for the first large wind turbine would be on top of the mound behind the National Science Learning Centre, beside the water tank. An alternative site might be on the open land beside the new college being constructed off Tadcaster Road.

Readers interested in renewable technology should consult the internet, a good starting point being The British Wind Energy Association, at www.bwea.com.

J M Purves,

Crossways,

Badger Hill,

York.

Updated: 09:53 Friday, May 05, 2006