Tag Archives: business
US Steps Up Advanced Biofuels Support With $25m Funding
Algae biofuels producers win lion’s share of funding as United States’ first commercial-scale cellulosic biofuels plant opens in Florida By BusinessGreen staff 05 Aug 2013 The US government has awarded grants of over $22m to companies using algae and other biomass to produce fuel in the latest show of support for the nascent advanced biofuels sector. Hawaii Bioenergy, San Diego-based Sapphire Energy, and New Mexico State University will each receive $5m in Department of Energy funding to advance the development of algae-based fuels as a direct replacement for conventional fuels, while California Polytechnic State University was awarded $1.5m to cultivate more productive algae strains. In addition, FDC Enterprises was given $6m to improve processes for collecting and distributing wood, grass and agricultural waste that can be converted into fuel. [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] Announcing the funding last week, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said: “By partnering with industry and universities, we can help make clean, renewable biofuels cost-competitive with gasoline, give drivers more options at the pump and cut harmful carbon pollution.” [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] Currently, the US transportation sector accounts for two-thirds of the country’s total oil consumption and one-third of its greenhouse gas emissions. [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] The Obama administration has sought to bring forward the production of next generation fuels to insulate the country from oil price shocks and reduce its dependence on imports. It aims to produce cost-competitive drop-in biofuels by 2017 and algae biofuels by 2022. [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] As well as funding advanced biofuels producers, the US military has also jointly invested in plants to ensure there is sufficient supply of sustainable biofuels. [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] Cellulosic biofuels made from non-food feedstocks, waste materials and algae can directly replace petroleum fuels in vehicles and refineries and in theory do not pose the same challenges as first generation fuels made from crops such as wheat or corn. Campaigners have claimed industrial-scale production of biofuels can hinder food production, drive deforestation, and produce more emissions over their life cycle than fossil fuels. [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] However, advanced biofuels production still remains at relatively low levels, despite long-standing targets in the US, and the country’s first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant only came online last week. [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] INEOS Bio’s Indian River BioEnergy Center in Vero Beach, Florida, a joint venture between INEOS Bio and New Planet Energy, is expected to convert wood scraps, grass clippings and other waste materials into eight million gallons (30.3 million litres) of transportation fuel a year, as well as 6MW of energy for heat and power. Continue reading
Carbon Trading At Increased Risk Of Criminal Exploitation: Interpol
Created on August 5, 2013 at 08:39 Carbon trading at increased risk of criminal exploitation: Interpol Tribune Desk Business The Interpol Guide to Carbon Trading Crime examines the areas within the industry which have the potential to be manipulated by criminals The intangible nature of the global carbon trading markets puts them at risk for exploitation by criminal networks, according to a new law enforcement guide produced by Interpol. The Interpol Guide to Carbon Trading Crime examines the areas within the industry which have the potential to be manipulated by criminals, through securities fraud, insider trading, embezzlement, money laundering and cybercrime. It also assesses the current vulnerabilities of the carbon market and provides information to support national authorities in establishing adequate policing measures, according to an Interpol press release. Carbon trading is the world’s fastest growing commodities market, with its current value estimated by the World Bank at around USD 176 billion. Differing from traditional markets in that there are no physical commodities, only “credits” for offsetting the output of carbon dioxide, it is this unquantifiable market combined with the large amounts of money invested and a lack of oversight which make it vulnerable to criminal activity. “It is imperative that the carbon trading markets remain secure from fraud, not just to protect financial investment, but also because the global environment depends upon it,” said Andrew Lauterback, Senior Criminal Enforcement Counsel at the US Environmental Protection Agency and Chair of the Interpol Environmental Crime Committee . “The Interpol Guide to Carbon Trading Crime is an important resource for all organizations and agencies committed to protecting our environment and developing a cohesive global response to this crime,” concluded Lauterback. An initiative of the Interpol Pollution Crime Working Group, the Interpol carbon trading guide was produced with contributions from partners including Environment Canada, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, the Netherlands Government and the US Environmental Protection Agency. The Pollution Crime Working Group will hold its 18th meeting during the Interpol Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Events in Nairobi, Kenya from 4 to 8 November 2013. The guide includes several case studies from around the world where greenhouse gas accounting firms, national authorities operating in under-regulated jurisdictions, and individuals or companies claiming to offset emissions in return for investment have cut corners, falsified information or received bribes. “Crimes that harm our environment have a wider impact on the health and safety of society as a whole, and therefore must be investigated and the perpetrators punished,” said Interpol Secretary General Ronald K Noble. “Interpol will continue to fight the criminal networks which endanger our precious environmental resources and use their ill-gotten proceeds to fund other criminal activities,” concluded the Interpol chief. With eight carbon credit trading companies operating on the European Union Emission Trading Scheme recently shut down for malpractice, the Interpol guide seeks to generate an international law enforcement response to these crimes. “It is sad to see criminals using fraud and other crimes to make profit out of a commodity that was created to protect the environment. It is not just the financial harm it causes investors, but this criminal activity risks seriously undermining the environmental integrity of the carbon markets globally,” said David Higgins, Manager of Interpol’s Environmental Crime Programme. “Interpol is supporting governments which are in the process of establishing or regulating the carbon markets to put an end to these types of crimes,” he added. Interpol also assists law enforcement agencies in policing the carbon market across borders and jurisdictions, in particular by identifying inconsistent regulations between countries and other legal loopholes which can be exploited by criminals. Continue reading
Beggar with Dh22,000 one of 72 arrested
Beggar with Dh22,000 one of 72 arrested Staff Reporter / 4 August 2013 As many as 72 people of different nationalities have been arrested by the Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Police Directorate for begging, with several found with thousands of dirhams. One of the arrested beggars was found with Dh22,000 on him while another had Dh14,000, the directorate said, noting the pair were both Arab nationals who had gained the large amount in a short period of time. Of the 72 arrested, of whom 64 were males and eight were females, 33 were residing in the country illegally or in violation of the residency law. Their ages ranged between 21 and 71. The clampdown and arrests was due to the efforts of the anti-begging teams during the holy month of Ramadan with the cooperation of members of the public. The Directorate said there would be no tolerance with people found begging. “Begging is absolutely unacceptable and we will strictly confront it by tracking down and arresting the (perpetrators),” said Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Police Director Brigadier Maktoum Al Sharifi. The anti-begging squads aim to raise awareness amongst the members of the society and urge them not to take pity on such people, who use different approaches and methods to gain sympathy and money. “Begging is an open door for committing crime due,” he said, referring to thefts often committed by beggars who gained entry or were invited into others’ houses. He urged Emiratis and expatriates not to allow beggars to enter their accommodation, and not to pity them. Brigadier Al Sharifi said the public were aware of the reality of beggars as a result of the awareness campaigns by police. He urged the public not to hesitate in reporting beggars by calling the Operations Room (999) or any police station during Ramadan and on normal days, round the clock. Meanwhile, Sharjah Police arrested 191 illegals including 56 Arab beggars as part of its campaign targeting those who practice illegal jobs, mobile vendors and infiltrators. The police arrested mobile vendors who walk around in the streets, squares and public areas selling fake products and expired food items. Some of the illegals arrested were gathering and collecting cans and cardboards. afkarali@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
