Todd Spangler Detroit Free Press Published 9:11 p.m. UTC Aug 1, 2018 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate on Wednesday gave final approval to this year's annual defense authorization bill and it included — as usual — a handful of items of interest to Michiganders. The bill included: $65 million for replacing wings on the U.S. fleet of A-10 aircraft. That brings the total set aside for re-winging to $144 million, which could help Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County keep its A-10s in the air. Last year, the Air Force said it might have to ground some of the fleet because of a lack of adequate funding for repairs. $10 million to study the health implications of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, otherwise known as PFAS, chemicals used at former industrial and manufacturing sites — as well as some military bases such as the closed Wurtsmith AFB in Oscoda — that have leached into soil and water. The act also encourages the … [Read more...] about Here’s what’s in the annual Defense Act for Michigan
Water industry act
Ofwat urges water sector reform after failures during cold snap
News / UK and world by Press Association April 10, 2018, 12:43 pm FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter The water regulator has accused some companies of appearing to focus on “financial engineering” at the expense of their customers following concerns about service failures during the recent cold snap. Ofwat chairman Jonson Cox has written to Environment Secretary Michael Gove setting out its agenda to improve the performance of companies. The letter says: “We too consider that the corporate behaviour of some water companies has diminished trust in the delivery of this most vital service. “Some companies are seen as focused on financial engineering at the expense of public service. “The service failures following last month’s freeze-thaw, combined with concerns about the risk of drought, have also damaged trust in water.” Ofwat said it would reform company licences to … [Read more...] about Ofwat urges water sector reform after failures during cold snap
Ofwat sets out agenda of reforms for water sector after failures in cold snap
News / UK and world by Press Association April 10, 2018, 10:27 am FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter The water regulator has urged the sector to rebuild public trust following concerns about corporate behaviour and service failures that left thousands without a supply during the recent cold snap. Ofwat chairman Jonson Cox has written to Environment Secretary Michael Gove setting out its agenda to improve the performance of water companies, acknowledging that “some companies are seen as focused on financial engineering at the expense of public service”. The regulator said it will reform company licences to “make it even clearer that companies must put customers at the heart of everything they do”, step up demands on transparency around dividends and profits, and expected companies to meet their obligations before making dividend payments. It said it also expected water company boards to explain executive … [Read more...] about Ofwat sets out agenda of reforms for water sector after failures in cold snap
It’s a wake-up call: Yorkshire Water boss responds to Gove’s stinging criticism of industry
The chief executive of Yorkshire Water has admitted his industry must “show new standards of public accountability” after a senior Minister warned major utilities firms that they must clean up their act or face tougher regulation. Richard Flint described the speech by Environment Secretary Michael Gove, who told company bosses they have not been acting “in the public interest”, as a “wake-up call for the sector”. The water industry needs to show new standards of public accountability, be much more transparent about its complex financial structures and show a step-change in services not seen since the late 90s. Richard Flint, Yorkshire Water In a speech at an industry conference, Mr Gove accused water companies of “playing the system” at the expense of consumers and the environment.In a strongly-worded intervention, Mr Gove told the Water UK conference: “Far too often, there is evidence that water companies - your water companies - … [Read more...] about It’s a wake-up call: Yorkshire Water boss responds to Gove’s stinging criticism of industry
Justice Khanwilkar To Head Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal
The Centre has notified constitution of the “Mahanandi Water Disputes Tribunal”, in furtherance of the Supreme Court order directing it to constitute the same to resolve the long-standing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the sharing of water from Mahanandi river. A Bench comprising Justice S.A. Bobde and Justice L. Nageswara Rao had, in January this year, directed constitution of the Tribunal under Section 4(1) of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, which mandates nomination of the chairman and members of the tribunal by the Chief Justice of India from among the judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. The Tribunal will be head-quartered at New Delhi and will comprise of: Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, Supreme Court Judge (Chairman) Justice Ravi Ranjan, Patna High Court Judge Justice Indermeet Kaur Kochhar, Delhi High Court Judge The dispute arose between the lower riparian state of Odisha and upper riparian state of Chhattisgarh, with the … [Read more...] about Justice Khanwilkar To Head Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal