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Sunday, April 29, 2012

Veolia fined after agency worker sustained serious burns

Waste management provider Veolia Environmental Services has been fined after an agency worker was seriously burned by hot ash at an incineration depot in Deptford, U.K. More on Safety News. Veolia Environmental Services is a subsidiary of Veolia Environment, which is a Global Compact participant since 2002/05/10. Veolia Environment was a Gold Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2010, and a 5,000 contributor in 2008, and 2006.

Groups challenge permit for cement plant in NC

Environmental groups are challenging the state decision to issue an air quality permit for a cement plant in Castle Hayne. They say the state is looking to place the responsibility elsewhere when it comes to pollution associated with the proposed Titan America cement plant. More on wect.com. Titan America is a sister company of Global Compact participant Titan Cement Company TITK:Athens. Titan Cement is a participant since 2002/08/31.

Holcim (US), Inc. Agrees to Pay $36,500 Penalty for Clean Water Act Violations in Florence, Colorado

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has entered into a Combined Complaint and Consent Agreement (CCCA) with Holcim (US), Inc. (Holcim) in response to alleged violations of the Clean Water Act at its limestone and silica quarry and Portland cement plant located in Florence, Fremont County, Colorado. Read the official EPA press release. Holcim (US) is a subsidiary of Swiss Holcim Ltd. (HOLN:SIX), a Global Compact participant since 2003/03/06. Holcim Ltd. was a 'Silver' Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011 and 2010.

Siemens makes illegal windmill deal in occupied Western Sahara

The German multinational, Siemens, has landed an order for the construction and maintenance of 22 windmills to be built in a wind farm in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara.The problem is that, according to international law, it is illegal to trade or dispose of resources in occupied Western Sahara without the consent of Western Sahara’s indigenous population, the Saharawis, who also have to benefit from any such dealings. More on News Time Africa. Siemens (SIE:GR) is a Global Compact participant since 26-11-2003.

Palestinian organisations call for action against G4S over role in Israeli jails

On April 17th 2012, Palestinian organisations today called for action to be taken against G4S, the British-Danish security corporation that is contracted to provide security equipment to Israeli prisons at which Palestinian political prisoners are held. More on EI. Both G4S Israel and its parent company G4S plc are Global Compact participants. G4S Israel became a participant in 2010/09/27 and the company is non-communicating (i.e. it has not yet communicated its progress). G4S plc was a Gold Contributor to the Foundation of the Global Compact in 2011 and 2010.

Implats charged with culpable homicide over miner's death

South Africa's Impala Platinum, the world's second-largest producer of the precious metal, confirmed on Wednesday that it had been charged with culpable homicide following a fatality at one of its mines five years ago. More on Reuters Africa. Impala Platinum Holdings Limited (Implats) (IMP:SJ) is a Global Compact participant since 2008/04/08.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Holcim Cement Tainted in Switzerland by Work Rights Abuses in India

The ICEM-affiliated Pragatisheel Cement Shramik Sangh (PCSS) conducted a two-week tour of activities in Switzerland that concluded, educating trade union colleagues on the grave violations of work rights abuses by Holcim Cement of contract workers in India’s Chhattisgarh region. More on the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers' Unions(ICEM) website. Holcim Ltd. (HOLN:SIX) is a Global Compact participant since 2003/03/06. It was a 'Silver' Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011 and 2010.

ConocoPhillips, CNOOC to pay $267 million for China spill

U.S. oil firm ConocoPhillips and its partner CNOOC(NYSE:CEO) have agreed to pay 1.683 billion yuan ($266.89 million) in compensation for a series of oil spills off the coast of northern China last year. More on Yahoo/Reuters You can also read our previous post. China National Offshore Oil Corp. is a Global Compact participant since 2008/06/25. It was a Gold Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011.

Bristol-Myers Subpoenaed By SEC In FCPA Probe

Drug maker Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. said Thursday it received a subpoena from the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to a foreign bribery probe. More on Corruption Currents (WSJ). Read the 10-Q SEC filing . Bristol-Myers Squibb is a Global Compact participant since 2010/12/09. Bristol-Myers is a Gold Contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2012. It also contributed in 2011.

Hess to Pay USD 850,000 Fine for Violating Air Pollution Standards at N.J. plant

Hess (HES) is to pay an $850,000 civil penalty to resolve federal Clean Air Act violations at the refinery as part of the settlement with the federal Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Justice, and the DEP. The settlement is the result of a negotiated agreement with Hess. In addition, the Hess Corporation is expected to make about $45 million in pollution control upgrades at its Port Reading oil refinery near Woodbridge. Read the official press release from New Jersey's DEP. Hess is a Global Compact participant since 2002/08/31.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Volvo Fined $72 Million By US Court Over Engine Emissions

Volvo AB (VOLV-B.SK) said Monday its Volvo Powertrain Corporation unit has been fined $72 million by a US court over emissions from Volvo Penta engines built in 2005. Read More on Fox Business Volvo Group is Global Compact participant since 2001/12/24.

Employee litigation against Tata gets class action status

Two employees of Indian outsourcer Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have won class action status for a lawsuit alleging that the company made deductions from their wages in breach of their contract while they were working in the U.S. More on Computerworld / IDG News Service Tata Consultancy Services is a Global Compact participant since 2006/10/23.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

EBRD probes Slovenia plant contract with Alstom

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development said it was looking into corruption allegations involving a Slovenian power-plant upgrade contract with France's Alstom.

More on Reuters.

Alstom is a Global Compact participant since 2008/03/18. It is a Member of the Working Group on the 10th Principle. Alstom was also a Gold contributor to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

South Africa gold miners face class suit

A South African lawyer has signed up more than 6 000 plaintiffs from South Africa and Lesotho in preparation for a class action lawsuit against gold miners whose negligence allegedly resulted in workers contracting silicosis, a debilitating lung disease. The principal targets of the suit will be AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields and Harmony Gold, the country three biggest gold miners and producer DRDGold.

More on the Southern Time.

Gold Fields Limited is a Global Compact participant since 2006. Anglogold Ashanti is a Global Compact participant since 2004. Both Anglogold Ashanti and Gold Fields Limited were Gold Contributors to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2010 and 2011.

US SEC Probes Eni, Total On Libya Operations

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has sent formal requests to Italy's Eni SpA and France's Total SA related to the companies' Libyan businesses, the companies disclosed in regulatory filings.

More on Dow Jones.

Eni Spa is a Global Compact participant since 2001/07/01. Total S.A. is a Global Compact participant since 2002/03/07.

Both Total and ENI were Gold Contributors to the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2010.

ThyssenKrupp USA fined USD 95000 for multiple violations of air permits

Press Register reported that Alabama state officials have cited ThyssenKrupp for multiple violations of the air permits governing the company's two steel mills in Calvert and issued USD 95,000 in fines.

More on Steel Guru.

ThyssenKrupp AG is a Global Compact participant since 2011/11/04

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Suncor Energy Fined For Air Quality Violations

On April 2 2012, Suncor Energy (U.S.A) agreed to pay more than $2 million in fines for air quality violations after state inspectors discovered violations of state and federal requirements during an inspection nearly two years ago. The health department says the main violations involved benzene waste.

More on KKTV.com

Suncor Energy Inc. is a Global Compact participant since 2001/08/31. Suncor Energy was a gold contributor for the Foundation for the Global Compact in 2011.

ArcelorMittal Warren, Inc and Clean Water Act

On March 13th 2012, the U.S. EPA proposed to assess a civil penalty in the amount of $79,350.00 against ArcelorMittal Warren, Inc. for violations of the Clean Water Act. EPA was seeking civil penalties for ArcelorMittal Warren's failure to comply with effluent limits, monitoring requirements, and recordkeeping requirements written in its National Discharge Elimination System permit.

More on the EPA.

ArcelorMittal is a Global Compact participant since 2003/09/03. ArcelorMittal was a Gold Contributor for the Foundation of the Global Compact in 2012.