Day: 15 December 2000

Radioactive material found in ‘uncontaminated area’ at Dounreay

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has asked the UK Atomic Energy Authority to undertake an urgent investigation into the latest incident at the Dounreay nuclear site, when a radioactive particle was found in an area previously thought to be clear of contamination.

Central Africa unites in creating gigantic new park

Three Central African nations have teamed up to protect a vast tract of rainforest in the heart of the world’s second largest equatorial ecosystem.

New government investment in local transport works for and against the environment

The Government has given the green light to nearly 40 new local road schemes, including 14 bypasses, but has also announced new light rail systems and bus-priority lanes, and a massive increase in cycle lanes.

Toxic chemicals are endangering world’s most valuable supplies of groundwater

The first global survey of groundwater pollution has found that a toxic brew of pesticides, nitrogen fertilisers, industrial chemicals, and heavy metals is fouling groundwater everywhere, and that the damage is often worst in the very places where people most need water.

Government awards four billion-dollar contract to clean up US’s most contaminated nuclear site.

The Department of Energy (DoE) has announced that Bechtel-Washington has been selected to design, construct, and commission a new waste treatment and immobilisation plant to clean up that will remediate tank waste from Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Washington State.

US acts to protect its coral reefs

The Department of Commerce has announced new actions the US will take to protect its coral reefs, following a recent report that almost one-third of the world’s reefs have disappeared.

US Army Corps self-serving institutional bias is detrimental to the environment

A new US Army Inspector General report accuses the US Army Corps of serious violations in seeking government funds for large scale construction projections.

US and Canada report major air pollution cuts

The United States and Canada are congratulating themselves on their success in meeting emission reduction targets set by their environmental agencies.

Correction

Correction to ‘European Awards for the Environment 2000’ story.

EEB proposes nine immediate actions to make EU water policy work

In Brussels this week the European Environment Bureau presented Environment Ministers of the EU and accession countries with nine key actions to make the new EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) work.

Czech Republic yields to Austria and Germany over controversial nuclear plant

The Czech Republic has agreed to a full environmental inpact assessment for its controversial Temelin nuclear power plant after operations began two months ago.

Yatagan sulphur dioxide cloud hits Aegean again

Noxious sulphurous emissions from Yatagan, one of a triangle of three ageing Turkish power stations, are once again causing respiratory illness and confining local residents to their homes.

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