Cement, Energy and Environment

trading in a Europe-wide company cap and trade system, which the EU plans to launch in 2005. The scheme is likely to be mandatory for larger firms, while o ther instruments are suggested for smaller ones, such as a climate change levy. "Smaller firms are effectively excluded from the planned cap and trade scheme because the administrative costs couldbe too high for them," Oppermann said .. " But by opting into the fund, they can avoid the levy by paying its equivalent in exchange for emissions rights, allocated according to their historical emissions levels." KFW has not yet put a time frame on the introduction of the funds. Courtesy: energise vol. 1, Issue 1, P 15. Fax: 652 8840 E-mail: mahajankc@bee-india.com Web: www. bee-india.com REGULATION NEWS · INDIA TO SIGN CONVENTION ON PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS Rajiv Tikoo, The Financial Express, 08 Mar. 02 It is time for the pesticide industry to wash itself clean. India has decided to sign the Stockholm Convention on POP (Persistent Organic Pollutants) . The announcement was made by Minister of Environment and Forests, Mr. T. R. Balu. The StockholmConvention on POPs was adopted by the world community on 23 May 2001. The convention has identified 12 of the most dangerous POPs, called dirty dozen, and focuses on reducing and eliminating their use. None of the POPs are pesticides ( aldrin, chloradane, DDT, dieldrin, endrin, heptachlor, mirex, hexachlorobenezene and toxaphene); one is an industrial chemical (polychlorinated biphenyls or PCBs), which is used as a dielectric for electric equipment; and two are unintended byproducts ( dioxins and furnans) from paper and pulp manufacturing industries, and the incineration of waste, particularly medical waste, containing plastics like PVC (polyvinyl chloride) . Besides, iron and steel sinteri ng industries, and secondary zinc, aluminium and copper production industries, chloro-alkalis, dyes and petrochemicals industries, and cement kilns that burn hazardous wastes, too, will be affected. Courtesy : TERI Newswire, 1-15 Mar. 02, P 34. Email: outreach@teri.res.in Web: www.tcriin.org Fax:4682144 PANEL OF REGULATORS TO VET ELECTRICITY BILL: CERC CHIEF Anupama Air_r- The Financial Express, 13 April 02 The central and state regulators, including 19 state electricity regulatory commissions and CERC (Central Electri ci ty Regulatory Commission), have decided to constitute a committee of regulators to study the provisions of the Electricity Bill 2001, currently awaiting the Parliamentary approval. The committee of regulators would study in detail the p rovisions of the Bill and submit its report to the select committee of Parliament, attached to the power ministry. The Bill dea ls in detail about the provisions, powers and functions of Central and state regulatory commissions. Courtesy : TERI Newswire, 1-15 Apr. 02, P 26. Email: outreach@teri.res.in Web: www.teriin.org Fax:4682144 TECHNOLOGY FUNDING PTI Science Service, Mar. 2002 TheGovernment of India's (GOI) science budget for 2002-03 which has increased by 16 percent