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Thames Water’s woes are a clear sign that basic oversight of our critical industries simply isn’t happening

The potential collapse of Thames Water, sinking under £14bn of debt, is just the latest evidence that the regulatory regimes that oversee large parts of the British economy are failing.

It comes on the heels of Ofgem, the gas and electricity regulator, failing to notice that companies supplying power to consumers were undercapitalised and vulnerable to global price volatility. The rail regulator, Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), has failed to protect the users of northern rail services or of commuter services around London from the incompetence of franchise operators. Ofcom, once the most respected regulator, has failed to prevent egregious telecom double-digit price increases – one of the worst recent examples of corporate exploitation which has helped to push up the cost of living.

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Sun Cable founders step down from executive roles and dozens of staff cut after a strategic review by new owners Grok and Quinbrook.

The post Sun Cable sheds dozens of staff, founders step aside, as new owners prepare to take control appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Scientists in Australia solve puzzle of sole egg left in museum and identify new deep-sea species with unique ridged egg case

Off the north-western coast of Australia, near the remote coral atolls of Rowley Shoals, ghost catsharks are slinking through the dim water and searching for bushy colonies of corals growing between 400 and 500 metres (1,300-1,600ft) down.

This is where the elusive sharks lay their egg cases and leave them hanging like Christmas tree ornaments.

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Concerns raised after tests found stretch of river used for world-famous event had dangerous bacteria

The Henley Royal Regatta was marred by sewage pollution from Thames Water, organisers have said, as they call for urgent action on our rivers.

The prestigious event, a rowing competition on the Thames that has been going since 1839, was held last week. Chairman of the event’s organisers, Sir Steve Redgrave said: “At Henley Royal Regatta, we are deeply concerned about the impact that sewage pollution is having on our beautiful river. Sewage pollution is harming the environment that we enjoy and respect so much.” The organisers’ concerns come after two local campaign groups – River Action and Henley Locals – carried out their own tests on the Thames at Henley every weekday over a four-week period and found the stretch of river used for the world famous regatta had dangerous bacteria.

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Soil carbon project developer AgriProve Solutions has partnered with industry group Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) on three demonstration sites across the country’s east coast, as the issuance of Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) fall to more nominal levels.

Does natural hydrogen have the potential to replace all fossil fuels? And why are we only just finding out about it? Here’s what we know.

The post The earth might hold huge stores of natural hydrogen – and prospectors are already scouring South Australia for it appeared first on RenewEconomy.

The University of Sydney technique leans heavily into what will work commercially at scale.

The post Australian scientists design cheaper carbon fibre recycling to cut wind turbine waste appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Researchers alarmed by results of study of dogs and horses living close to Chemours factory in North Carolina

Pets living near a PFAS manufacturing plant in Fayetteville, North Carolina have concerning levels of the toxic chemicals in their blood, and show evidence of health effects linked to exposure, new research finds.

PFAS were present in all 32 dog and 31 horse blood samples checked, and the findings provide evidence that human and animal exposures to the chemicals impacts their bodies, said Scott Belcher, a North Carolina State University researcher and co-author.

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The first supermoon of 2023 has been seen in Spain, Russia, Greece and Argentina and according to the Old Farmer's Almanac is called the 'full buck moon', named after the antlers of male deers which are growing at this time of year. A supermoon occurs when the full moon takes place at or near the lunar perigee, which means its closest approach to the Earth. When the full moon occurs at or around this point in its orbit, it appears larger and brighter than other full moons

• Astronomers observe time dilation in early universe

• ‘It was an accident’: the scientists who have turned humid air into renewable power

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Five councils bring a legal challenge against the London mayor's plans to expand ULEZ.

Ocean Winds, a joint venture of two European energy giants, is putting forward three offshore wind projects for Australia's first offshore wind zone.

The post European offshore wind venture makes 3 bids for Victoria offshore wind tender appeared first on RenewEconomy.

In the late 1980s, well diggers in Mali struck a rich source of naturally-created hydrogen. Now prospectors are scouring South Australia, looking for natural hydrogen. Linda Stalker, Senior principal research scientist, CSIRO Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

A daily summary of our news plus bite-sized updates from around the world.

Analysts raised their California Carbon Allowance (CCA) average price forecasts for the second half of the year on expected policy developments attracting speculative interest, while maintaining RGGI Allowance (RGA) price estimates despite annual deficits seen over the next three years.

Adoption of carbon pricing in one country significantly increases the likelihood of similar policy adoption in other countries, especially neighbouring ones, a study has found.

The share of coal in Australia's main grid has fallen to its lowest level this century, with renewables jumping to 36.8 per cent in the last financial year.

The post Australia reaches record 36.8 pct renewables in 22/23, lowest coal this century appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Voluntary carbon market standards body American Carbon Registry published its revised crediting methodology on Monday, updating a prior version of project-based carbon credit issuance guidelines from December 2020.

RGGI Allowance prices softened this week amid heavy spread trading and as a major exchange-traded fund drew down RGGI holdings, though some participants noted the market was still holding up well.

WA creates new agencies to help fast-track dozens of massive wind, solar, hydrogen and green industry projects.

The post WA to fast-track wind, solar and green hydrogen and manufacturing approvals appeared first on RenewEconomy.

Eastern Europe, including Western Russia, accounts for around 78% of the continent’s carbon sink, but the rate is decreasing due to changing land use and management and increasing natural disturbances, a new study reveals.