The House of Lords European Union Committee is  conducting a short inquiry into the European Commission’s proposed draft Directive (published on January 23) for revisions intended to improve and extend to the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS).

Ofwat has set out how customers will be charged for 2008-09. The average increase in prices for 2008-09 is 5.8%, which includes inflation of 4.3%.

Ofwat has published detailed practical assistance guidelines for the water and wastewater companies on dealing with customers affected by sewer flooding.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning plant hire companies to ensure their vehicles are supplied in a safe condition after a Treharris company were prosecuted for hiring out an excavator without suitable rollover protection, and for failing to carry out pre- and post-hire checks on equipment and hirers.

Ofwat is seeking comment on its updated guidelines on services for disabled or elderly consumers.

Ofwat has published its response on the River Basin Planning Guidance (Volume 2) consultation documents issued by Defra with regard to implementation of the Water Framework Directive (WFD).

Environment Minister Phil Woolas has announced that the next phase of a programme to help farmers tackle the causes of harmful water pollution is taking shape.