The one in six properties in England that are flood-prone are being put at risk by funding cuts and a lack of technical expertise, a report has said.
Public Accounts Committee chairman Margaret Hodge said a huge funding gap was opening up between flood defence maintenance costs and government cash.
A National Audit Office report says the Environment Agency needs another £20m each year to protect against flooding.
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Flood defence funding gap huge, warns Labour MP
- 01 November 2011
- Karl
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Powys 'super dairy' plans recommended for refusal
- 01 November 2011
- Karl
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Powys 'super dairy' plans recommended for refusal
The dairy is planned for Lower Leighton Farm in Leighton, near Welshpool
Fraser Jones plans to build one of the first such parlours in Wales for 1,000 cattle at Leighton near Welshpool.
Rochdale company fined for illegal operations
- 01 November 2011
- Karl
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A Rochdale company and its director have been ordered to pay £14,484 in fines and costs, after they pleaded guilty to operating a waste transfer station at Klondike, Rochdale without the relevant environmental permits to make their operations legal.
The Environment Agency brought the prosecution against Roeacre Limited and its director Peter Cordwell on Wednesday 26 October, following numerous complaints from local residents, including reports of excessive noise from metal workings.
U.S. and E.U. on collision course over aircraft emissions
- 27 October 2011
- Karl
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The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill prohibiting American aviation operators from taking part in the E.U. Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
If it became law, the European Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011 would ban U.S. airlines from taking part in the ETS, which is due to come into force on January 1st.
The bill will now be considered by the U.S. Senate. President Obama supports the bill, so it is likely to be passed.
Earlier this month, Advocate General Juliane Kokott of the European Court of Justice gave advice that the E.U. ETS is compatible with international law, regarding a case brought against the E.U. by American airlines, who believe it is not.
Huhne blasts critics of renewable energy as RHI gets go-ahead
- 27 October 2011
- Karl
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Chris Huhne and Greg Barker today reiterated the Government's commitment to renewable energy, highlighting especially how many jobs it is helping to create.
Energy Secretary Chris Huhne addressed the RenewableUK annual conference in Manchester, where WWF has launched a report which demonstrates how Britain could meet between 60 and 90% of its electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030.
And in London, Energy Minister Greg Barker announced that state aid approval has been granted by the European Commission for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), enabling it to be launched for commercial purposes.