MSNBC – The Trump Organization is expected to be hit with criminal charges as soon as this week by Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance’s office in a case that Trump attorneys say is tied to tax-related conduct, according to reports.
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New York DA May Charge The Trump Organization This Week Read More »
CNBC Television – A heat wave hit the Pacific Northwest, and stores sold out of portable air conditioners and fans. Many cities have opened cooling centers. Portland, Oregon, reached 112 degrees Sunday, according to the National Weather Service, beating its previous record of 108, set on Saturday. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport broke its previous daily record by 12 degrees Saturday, according to the National Weather Service, reaching an all-time high of 102.
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Record-breaking heatwave strikes Pacific Northwest, causing power outages Read More »
By pvbuzz editorial team
Washington — Amazon announced 14 new renewable energy projects in Canada, Finland, Spain, and the U.S. to advance its ambition to power 100% of company activities with renewable energy by 2025—five years ahead of the original target of 2030.
The new projects bring Amazon’s total renewable energy investments to date to 10 gigawatts (GW) of electricity production capacity—enough to power 2.5 million U.S. homes. Amazon is now the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in the world.
The latest utility-scale solar and wind projects will supply renewable energy for Amazon’s corporate offices, fulfillment centres, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) data centres that support millions of customers globally. These projects will also help Amazon meet its commitment to produce enough renewable energy to cover the electricity used by all Echo devices in use. These new projects support hundreds of jobs while providing hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in local communities.
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“We’re driving hard to fulfill The Climate Pledge—our commitment to reach net-zero carbon by 2040, ten years ahead of the Paris Agreement,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO. “Our investments in wind and solar energy in the U.S. and around the world send a signal that investing in green technologies is the right thing to do for the planet and citizens—as well as for the long-term success of businesses of all sizes across all industries everywhere.”
Amazon will now have a total of 232 renewable energy projects globally, including 85 utility-scale wind and solar projects and 147 solar rooftops on facilities and stores worldwide.
14 new renewable energy projects planned by Amazon in four countries Read More »
By National Law Review
The Silica Products WRO
On June 24, the White House announced the first strike against forced labor in the solar equipment manufacturing industry. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) stopping the import of silica-based products made by Hoshine Silicon Industry Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries. Hoshine is located in Xinjiang. The WRO states that CBP has information reasonably indicating that the company used forced labor to manufacture its products. As we reported here, the importer may obtain the release of goods subject to a WRO if the importer can prove to CBP’s satisfaction that the goods were not produced using forced labor. Such proof might take the form of a certificate of origin by the supplier, and a supply chain audit report demonstrating adequate anti-forced-labor procedures in the supply chain
Based on the wording of the WRO, we believe it is likely that more and broader import controls on equipment critical to the solar industry may follow.
Separately, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security has designated Hoshine Silicon Industry (Shanshan) and four other Xinjiang companies to the Entity List. Generally, no person may export or reexport commodities, software, or technology subject to U.S. export controls to companies on the Entity List.
Finally, the U.S. Department o of Labor published a notice that updates its “List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor.” That list now includes polysilicon produced with forced labor in the PRC. Normally, the Department of Labor updates its list every two years. The fact that this updated is the first made outside of that two-year cycle, demonstrates how seriously the Biden administration takes the ongoing human rights abuses against Uyghurs and other minority groups in Xinjiang. It also signals that further restrictions on imports from and trade with the Xinjiang region are likely to follow.
Anti-Forced Labor Measures Turn Up the Heat on Chinese Solar Equipment Suppliers Read More »
In an effort to incentivize recycling facilities to continue to grow within the state, the New Jersey Assembly and Senate have approved legislation, sponsored by Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin and Senators Troy Singleton and Bob Smith, which would provide exemptions to certain energy-related taxes.
“Plastic waste is an issue that threatens the well-being of the planet,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “Our recycling facilities are integral partners in helping to combat this environmental threat. By providing these facilities with tax incentives, our hope is that both existing and new businesses can continue to grow within this market, ultimately decreasing plastic waste throughout the state.”
The legislation would exempt qualifying recycled and recovered materials manufacturing facilities from the sale or use of energy utility services tax, for an initial period of seven years. The Division of Taxation would be required to annually review the economic feasibility of continuing to provide qualifying facilities with the exemptions and to submit their recommendations to the Legislature as to whether such exemptions should be continued.
“Recyclable commodity markets are the missing piece needed to solve the key outstanding issues that remain with recycling,” said Senator Smith (D-Middlesex/Somerset), Chair of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. “These facilities recycle plastic waste in a manner that creates a truly circular market for recycled materials. Through creating tax incentives, this market will be able to diminish plastic waste while creating useful everyday products.”
The combined bill, (A5121/S3287), received final passage on June 24 and was sent to Governor Phil Murphy for his review.
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By Katie Meyer, WHYY News
Philly’s long-delayed ban on single-use plastic bags will begin to take effect at the start of July.
City Council first passed the ban in late 2019, requiring nearly all businesses — including grocery and convenience stores, gas stations, department and clothing stores, restaurants, food trucks, and farmers’ markets — to stop using plastic bags and any paper bags that don’t use at least 40% recycled material.
In a statement, Mayor Jim Kenney noted that the coronavirus pandemic delayed implementation of the ban, but said the city is now turning its attention more fully to its environmental goals.
“While the ban on single-use plastic bags will go into effect later than we originally anticipated, we believe this timeline will help increase compliance,” he said. “By building out an extended education and warning period, the City will be better able to ensure widespread awareness of the law to our diverse business owners and to residents and consumers.”
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Philly’s long-delayed plastic bag ban to start Read More »
