Day: 9 June 2000

SOUTHERN AFRICA: Sugarcane is ideal energy crop

Installation of cogeneration systems at Southern Africa's sugar factories could result in 550 GWh of electricity, displacing four to eight percent of the region's electricity demand.

Last of the western water projects “violates federal law”

A pressure group has told senators that a $300 million dam building and water diversion plan ostensibly drawn up to settle American Indian water claims violates federal law.

US Supreme Court could include cost calculations when setting air standards

The US Supreme Court has decided to consider proposals by industry to include costs as a factor in health tests which form the foundation of US clean air standards. Environmentalists have warned this could lead to standards based on political rather than scientific considerations.

Electricity liberalisation law must define hydro as renewable

The US hydroelectric industry has called for hydropower to be classified as a renewable energy source - and for it to benefit in the same way as other renewables - when the Senate's plans for liberalisation of the US energy market are completed.

Companies asked to sign up to ‘green’ company car scheme

The UK Government has launched a scheme to encourage businesses to cut costs by improving the environmental performance of their car and van fleets.

Waste guidelines point to wider role for corporate waste managers

New Guidelines for Company Reporting on Waste have introduced standards for corporate waste management which the Government hopes will lead to improved environmental reporting. If implemented, the guidelines could see companies seeking increasingly sophisticated data on waste as well as equipment capable of weighing and segregating waste.

Meacher asks businesses to sign up to waste, water and greenhouse gas reductions

UK Environment Minister Michael Meacher marked UK Environment Week by re-launching a corporate energy efficiency programme from the early 1990s. The new programme will require signatories to set targets to reduce their water consumption, waste production and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

SPAIN: Greenpeace staff go on strike

75% of Greenpeace Spain's staff held a one-day strike on 7 June to protest against the management style of the organisation's national director.

UKRAINE: Final Chernobyl reactor to cease operation by 15 December

US President Bill Clinton completed his last visit to the former USSR region by announcing, jointly with Ukrainian president Leonid Kuchma, a date for the closure of Reactor Three, the only remaining operational Chernobyl reactor.

GERMANY: NGO dismisses prediction that renewable and CO2 targets will not be met

German's Economics Ministry has spent a year discussing the country's future energy mix with industry, trade unions and environmental groups. Its report on the dialogue predicts that Germany will fail to meet its next CO2 reduction target and the 2010 target for increases in renewable energy.

SWEDEN: Recycling rates continue to climb, except metal and PET

Swedish EPA's annual recycling report shows that 1999 recycling rates have already met most 2001 EU targets for packaging waste. Sweden's own targets for packaging waste are more stringent and were generally met in 1999, with the exception of aluminium packaging, aluminium cans and returnable PET.

GERMANY: Solar subsidies are victim of their own success

A subsidy system promoting the installation of solar panels on houses in Germany has had to be revised because too many people have been applying for interest-free loans. The new loans will charge two percent interest, but demand is expected to remain high.

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