News from 4 December 1998 on edie

Saving Australia’s underground sea

A century after ranchers first tapped into the world's single largest underground fresh water supply, a $US143 million rescue plan has been agreed for damage to ecosystems on the surface above.

Govt refuses to extend hazwaste import quotas

The UK Government has refused a request from the waste incineration industry to extend the quota for EU imports of waste for high temperature incineration beyond May 1999.

EA upgrades flood warning systems

The Environment Agency is investing £3.4m to upgrade and improve flood warning systems in the North West.

EA warns of need for action on used tyres

The number of tyres in use is forecast to increase by as much as 60% by the year 2021. With forthcoming European legislation likely to ban the disposal of used tyres in landfill sites, the Environment Agency is concerned that if action is not taken now, illegal tyre dumping could significantly increase.

Millenium bug no excuse for pollution

The Environment Agency is warning companies: Beat the Bug - or face enforcement action if it causes a pollution incident.

Oil cuttings leach toxic waste to North Sea

Toxic metals are leaching into the North Sea from piles of cuttings left under oil rigs that were previously assumed to be stable, according to a new study by the National Environmental Research Council and the oil industry. Some seven million cubic metres of cuttings currently lie under 1500 North Sea rigs.

UK PRN trading site launched

On the 25th of November, Europe's first environment trading floor, The OM Environment Exchange, went on-line.

New Swedish government greener

Sweden's new Environment Minister, Kjell Larsson, is busy balancing the promised phase-out of nuclear power with Sweden's commitment to control global warming under the UN treaty on climate change.

Spain could use nuclear power to fight climate change

Spanish environment minister Isabel Tocino has made political waves by announcing that increasing nuclear power output might become part of Spain's climate change policy.

Catalonia accused of hazwaste monopoly

The Catalan authorities have been accused of establishing a private monopoly on the management of the region's hazardous wastes.

Baltic States and EU agree on energy co-operation

The ministers of energy from the Baltic Sea Region and an EC representative have agreed to co-operate on facilitating the production of economically viable and more environmentally sound energy sources in the Baltic Sea Region.

Revised EU phthalates opinion causes new rows

An EU scientific committee has revised its estimates of the margin of safety for two plasticisers used in children's' toys, leading environmental groups to call for an emergency ban and industry associations to claim zero risks.

Day: 4 December 1998