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A $1.1 billion antitrust settlement, one of the largest in U.S. history, is nearing closure. Six of the world’s largest vitamin and supplement manufacturers are accused of conspiring to overcharge for their products for the last 10 years. The vitamins produced by Hoffman La-Roche Ltd. of Switzerland, German-based BASF AG, Rhone-Poulance S.A. of France and three Japanese pharmaceutical companies are ingredients in a wide range of foods including breakfast cereal, orange juice and animal feed. The group allegedly convened to divide the global market and raise prices for common vitamins such as A, C, E and beta-carotene. Tyson Foods Inc., Quaker Oats Co., and others are filing additional lawsuits because they believe the settlement price is too low. Individuals are also pursuing the cartel in a number of state courts. The companies that receive payment are not obliged to pass the proceeds to customers. Attorney General Janet Reno levied a $725 million fine against Hoffman-LaRoche and BASF AG. An investigation by the U.S. Justice Department resulted in criminal charges and jail time for Hoffman-LaRoche executives, a first for foreign citizens. Sales of dietary supplements in the U.S. reached $10.4 billion in 1999, almost evenly divided between vitamins/minerals (56%) and herbs […]
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Ecological tax reform could create over a million jobs and raise $78 billion (euros 75.2 billion) from taxes on energy, transportation and waste disposal over the next 10 years, according to a study prepared for the German Environment Agency. The authors suggest a phased-in plan that goes beyond present eco-taxes that would shift the tax burden to resource use and pollution. Energy costs would rise by 40 percent, energy consumption would decrease by 13 percent and gas would decrease by 25 percent. Germanys Parliament is scheduled to debate the second phase of the eco-tax reform the results of which will be become law on January 1, 2000. The German Institute for Economic Research and the Financial Research Institute at Cologne University conducted the study.
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16 percent of Canada’s October 12 Throne Speech referenced the environment, more than almost any previous Throne Speech, according to Contemporary Information Analysis Ltd.. “A clean and healthy environment is important to our long-term economic and social well-being it is central to our quality of life. Our ability to adopt innovative environmental practices and technologies will increasingly be part of Canada’s strength in the 21st century. The Throne Speech sets out eight specific environmental undertakings. They establish a new course for the federal government that has been lacking for the past five years. The commitments outlined in the Throne Speech are, o meet our country’s international commitment to address climate change by reducing greenhouse gases by six percent of 1990 levels by 2010. Canada’s Climate Change Secretariat has been working hard on recommendations to the federal government on ways to achieve the target. o set and enforce tough pollution standards. This is a departure from the “laissez faire” approach taken by the federal government since it transferred substantial responsibilities to the provinces when it signed the “Harmonization Agreement” on the environment. The agreement ties the hands of government with polluters until the provinces have taken all possible measures. This statement […]
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Do you need a demonstration eco-house? The Lane Area Pollution Prevention Coalition has constructed a “House of Pollution Solutions.” Its facades showcase household appliances, an eco-lawn, recycled plastic decking, energy efficient lighting, a bicycle for transportation, and a gas stove. Signs are placed around the house with tips describing the environmentally friendly choices people can make, such as using water-based paint. The house is designed to be reused at events like home shows and local festivals. Contact Kim Kagelaris: kkagelaris@ci.springfield.or.us
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After the recent nuclear accident in Japan, the Union of Concerned Scientists and the Geothermal Energy Association compiled data on the potential of wind and geothermanl energy in Japan. They concluded that offshore wind turbines could generate up to 40 percent of Japan’s electricity needs. The Japan Wind Energy Association projects the wind market there will grow from 150 megawatts in 2000 to 30,000 megawatts in 2030. Geothermal energy could supply more than three percent of Japan’s 1996 electricity use, enough to replace six nuclear plants.
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It’s not been updated since August, but maybe it will be soon. The Green Architect is a new section devoted to sustainable design on the magazine’s website. At the moment, there is a list of green product manufacturer’s, a compendium of green building projects contributed by the American Institute of Architects, and an excellent introductory article, “What It Means to Be Green” by Nadav Malin of Environmental Building News.
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The largest windfarm in the eastern U.S. will be built as a result of 1997 legislation that requires eastern Wisconsin utilities to source 50 megawatts of power from renewable sources. FPL Energy Wisconsin Wind, a subsidiary of Florida-based FPL Energy, will install 33 turbines by the end of 2000 north of Milwaukee. FPL is the largest U.S. wind generator, with 4300 megawatts of capacity in the U.S. and South America. In other news, one of the world’s largest windfarms has commenced operations in Iowa. The 260 turbine Storm Lake Wind Power Project will generate 193 megawatts of energy, enough to power 72,000 homes. Enron Wind developed the site where wind towers soar 208 feet above the ground with 79 foot blades as wide as the wingspan of a jumbo jet. The project displaces 300,000 tons of coal.
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The green building listserv sponsored by Environmental Building News and CREST has been going strong since 1996 with about 500 subscribers. Now a new group has formed to focus explicitly on environmental issues affecting large buildings. Instructions for joining both lists: http://www.ebuild.com
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The third largest U.S. church joined 16 northern California Episcopal churches as part of the ‘Episcopal Power & Light’ initiative to purchase renewable energy and practice energy efficiency. They are GreenMountain.com customers, buying its 100 percent renewable product which comes from geothermal, biomass, small-scale hydro, and landfill gas.
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The results of a preliminary survey conducted by the Sustainable Energy Coalition show the range of views held by the presidential candidates on climate change and the proposed Kyoto Protocol. Democrats Bill Bradley and Al Gore support Senate ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and emphatically concur that climate change is a matter of major concern. Gore stresses “there is overwhelming scientific consensus that human activity is contributing to global warming … while Bradley notes it is a “serious problem” that “we need to confront … without further delay.” Both candidates endorse corporate incentives for voluntary action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. No Republican is in favor of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. Bush calls it “ineffective, inadequate, and … a bad deal for America and Americans.” He “believe[s] there is global warming,” but “both the causes and impact of this slight warming are uncertain.” What does he think should be done about it? Bush says, “America must work with businesses … to develop new technologies to reduce harmful emissions.” John McCain acknowledges that “a growing number of scientists believe that global climate change is a real phenomenon” but sees the issue as a “scientific question, not a political question.” He wants […]
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