The climate crisis is real and the PLP Government is taking proactive steps to promote clean energy consumption. The green paper initiated by the PLP Government shows us the way. And, now it's time to act.

To that end, as of 1 April 2009, we are cutting duty rates to 0% for the following environmentally responsible technologies:

• Solar water heaters (refer to new tariff code 8419.191).
• Solar thermal collectors (refer to new tariff code 8419.901).
• Photovoltaic AC generators (refer to new tariff codes 8501.611; 8501.621; 8501.631; and 8501.641).
• Wind powered electrical generating sets (refer to tariff code 8502.310).
• Smart electricity meters with net metering capacity (refer to new tariff code 9028.301).

Additionally, the duty for compact fluorescent bulbs will be reduced from 22.25% to 10%.

The PLP Government understands the all too real threat of climate change. Here in tiny Bermuda, we are not immune and we must do our part to encourage the use of the clean energy technologies of the future. We believe that this measure will spur use of these products to make Bermuda greener.