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utIlIty WEEK | 11th - 17th July 2014 | 5 Power networks have won praise from MPs for their preparations for climate change, and water companies have been told to follow suit. The networks, heavily criticised for their response to the Christmas storms, "are monitoring weather-related disrup- tion, assessing future climate risks, investing in resilience, and reporting on progress", said the Adaptation subcom- mittee of the Committee on Climate Change in a report published last week. Water companies and other key infrastructure providers such as ports, airports and strategic road authorities should adopt a similar approach, it said. The report found that the UK's building stock and infrastructure was ill-prepared for climate change. It called for a new building standard to prevent overheating in homes, predicting that premature deaths from overheating could triple to 7,000 a year by the 2050s. It also called for greater investment in flood defences and sustainable drainage, with the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the Pitt Review for flood management. ElECtrICIty Smart Energy GB (formerly the Smart Meter Central Delivery Body) launched a national public awareness campaign promoting smart meters in some "targeted locations" on 4 July, with Gaz and Leccy making their first public appearances. The £85 million, seven-year advertising campaign will run until 2020 – the end of the smart meter rollout. Gaz and Leccy are likely to make their first radio appearances at the end of this year, before making their TV and online debuts from 2016. Claire Maugham, director of communications at Smart Energy GB, said: "Gaz and Leccy are embodiments of what we've heard about consumers' experiences about buying gas and electricity. "It's almost like they are out of control, causing chaos around the house like two naughty children, hence these mischievous characters." Networks 'lead way on resilience' £4.5 million Amount awarded to local community projects in 2013/14 from SSE's renewable energy funds "By taking on the role of chief executive, I can take a holistic view" Ovo Energy founder Stephen Fitzpatrick on his decision to take on the role of chief executive, with Jason Sharpe to fill his former role of managing director "Having visited the existing wave and tidal power testing facility… I know just how important it is to have sites to trial marine renewable technologies" WWF Scotland director Lang Banks welcomes the unveiling of four new demonstration wave and tidal power sites in Scottish waters "The size of the fine, given the scale of the damage done and the finding of negligence, feels like an insult to the River Crane" Chair of Friends of the River Crane Environment Rob Gray blasts the Environment Agency's decision to fine Thames Water £75,000 and costs of £94,000 for polluting the River Crane in west London in 2011 50% the year-on-year increase in independent Scottish renewable capacity in 2013, according to a report from SmartestEnergy