Day: 30 November 2001

This is the last test we will have to do if it all works ok

Over half of the waste management industry has agreed to report on its environmental performance, using a new set of core indicators.

European Commission criticised for inability to guarantee nuclear safety standards

A controversial report on possible toxic effects from nuclear reprocessing at Sellafield and La Hague points the finger at the European Commission for failing to verify the accuracy of safety data. The political and environmental debate over nuclear reprocessing is set to continue, as the report concludes that the European Commission cannot ‘guarantee’ that standards are being met.

European Council sets limits for dioxins in human and animal food

The European Council has adopted a regulation setting legally binding limits on dioxins and other contaminants in human food and animal feed which will now come into effect on 1 July 2002.

Canadian electricity generating company to reduce smog-causing agents by 80%

Ontario based company Ontario Power Generation (OPG) have announced plans to begin a CA$200million project to reduce its emission of smog causing agents by 80%. They plan to install four Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) units in their Nanticoke and Lambton coal-fired generating stations, effectively diminishing nitrogen oxide by 12,000 tonnes per year – the equivalent of taking 600,000 cars off the road.

Hawaii’s waters are more polluted than previously thought

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now admitting that there are 30 coastal waters and 81 streams in the state of Hawaii that show evidence of impairment by pollutants such as sediment, nutrients, bacteria, and litter, increasing the organisation’s previous estimate of polluted waters by 480%.

South African Government bans plastic carrier bags

The South African Government is toughening up on pollution with the approval by Cabinet of two new moves – one to ban off-road vehicles on beaches and the second to prohibit the use of plastic carrier bags, and is looking into compulsory recycling of construction rubble and tyres.

New energy source could reduce US dependence on foreign natural gas supplies

Arizona researchers are developing the use of a new energy source, previously rejected by the energy industry, as a possible method of reducing US dependence on natural gas imports.

New device could increase energy efficiency of engines

A new semiconductor device being developed by US scientists generates electricity from wasted heat, and could substantially increase energy efficiency of motors or generators by as much as 30%, cutting costs and emissions.

Waste management industry commits to excellence in environmental management

Over half of the waste management industry has agreed to report on its environmental performance, using a new set of core indicators.

European Commission may force changes to UK emission trading

The European Commission has approved the UK scheme for trading in greenhouse gases, which is due to start in February 2002. However, as the UK scheme has some significant differences to the proposed European scheme, when the latter scheme comes in to force in 2005 Europe may force the UK scheme to become compatible.

Chancellor’s pre-budget statement supports ‘green’ technology

The Government is to provide further tax incentives for low-carbon fuels, and will assist ‘green’ technologies, the Chancellor Gordon Brown announced on 27 November in his pre-budget statement to the House of Commons.

New government report reveals 75% of local authorities are failing to monitor air pollution

Ten years on from the introduction of the Local Authority Pollution Control regime, 75% of local authorities are failing to adequately inspect polluting processes, according to a new report published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

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