Latest news with #RichardBriggs
Scoop
15-07-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
$265 Million Private Capital Unlocked Through Low Emission Transport Fund
Businesses operating in New Zealand have committed around $265 million of investment in low-and zero-emissions transport projects – on road, off-road and on water – through the Low Emission Transport Fund (LETF) over the past decade. The programme, administered by EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority), was revised in 2021, expanding the remit of its predecessor the Low Emissions Vehicle Contestable Fund (LEVCF), which launched in 2016. Projects approved for funding in the LETF's final rounds – 14, 15 and 16 – have been announced today. Richard Briggs, EECA's Group Manager – Delivery and Partnerships, said the LETF had unlocked an extraordinary amount of private capital for projects that would not have happened as quickly or at all, as well as lowered organisations' operating costs by improving energy efficiency and productivity. 'The programmes demonstrated the benefits for business in making the switch to low or zero-emissions vehicles, machines, and vessels, showing others in their sectors what's possible and viable.' Briggs said the rapid acceleration of energy-efficient transport technologies had reduced the risk for early adopters and the need for this type of support. As such, the LETF had wound down to a natural end. Milestone projects include the world's first electric milk tanker (Fonterra) and electric hydrofoil ferry in commercial operation (Vessev and Fullers 360). The fund supported New Zealand's first hydrogen-powered truck (NZ Post) and truck (Auckland Transport), first electric double-decker buses (Tranzit, Metlink, Greater Wellington Regional Council) and first electric supermarket delivery vans (Foodstuffs). The LETF also co-funded around half of New Zealand's 1300+ public EV chargers, with almost 700 more in the pipeline. These include the country's first high-speed DC chargers (ChargeNet). Briggs said EECA continued to support the heavy vehicle sector to improve its energy efficiency and lower operating costs through the Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund, which offers grants of up to 25% of the purchase price of a new zero-emissions heavy vehicle, or 25% of the cost to convert an existing ICE vehicle to be power by zero or low-emissions technologies. EECA would ensure successful delivery of previously co-funded projects, as well as provide data on EV charging infrastructure and fuel use across the transport sector, Briggs said. 'EECA is New Zealand's lead agency and expert voice on energy use and we're continuing to evolve to ensure we're best placed to support the market.' A full list of approved projects for LETF rounds 14, 15 and 16 can be found below. Notes: LETF and LEVCF by the numbers 17 funding rounds across LEVCF and LETF, since 2016 359 contracts approved for funding $100,487,332 in government co-investment approved $265,466,603 in private capital committed. Approved projects for Low Emission Transport Rounds 14, 15, and 16 Round 16 approved projects Round 16 of the LETF launched on 3 February 2025 for Vehicles, Technology, Off-road and Marine. The round closed on 24 March 2025. EECA has approved five projects that would allocate co-funding of $469,159. Beacon Marine Limited, $23,100: Beacon Marine will partner with Pahi Oysters to demonstrate an electric motor on an existing oyster barge. Naut Limited $191,206: Naut will partner with an aquaculture business to demonstrate a fully integrated electric vessel, offering a low-emission alternative for an industry that has traditionally depended solely on internal combustion engines (ICE). Cascade New Zealand Limited, $60,403: Cascade New Zealand will demonstrate electric forklift attachments as an alternative to hydraulic options which requires significantly less energy to operate. When used on an electric forklift, the energy reduction will enable less power usage and longer cycle time. 3i OPCO Limited, $160,150: 3I OPCO will demonstrate an electric excavator which will work within the holds of vessels to unload cargo. Beacon Marine Limited, $46,300: Beacon Marine with partner with Explore Group will demonstrate an inboard electric conversion of their America's Cup tour experience boat from diesel propulsion to a fully electric system. Round 15 approved projects Round 15 of the LETF launched on 18 November 2024 for Ports. The round closed on 10 February 2025. EECA has approved five projects that would allocate co-funding of $1,630,742. Lyttelton Port Company Limited, $333,392: Lyttelton Port Company will demonstrate shore to ship power by upgrading electrical infrastructure on LPC's inner harbour jetties to provide shore power to visiting vessels and accurately track energy usage and emissions reductions. CentrePort Limited, $350,000: CentrePort will demonstrate a system that can control how and when electricity resource is consumed. It will unlock electricity supply capacity to enable electrification of CentrePort's heavy electric vehicles fleet to continue without triggering wider network reinforcement. Port of Tauranga Limited, $447,000: Port of Tauranga will test an electric straddle carrier at Port of Tauranga to examine its feasibility in a New Zealand port context. Otago Port Limited, $343,000: Otago Port will deliver emissions reduction by separate vertical and horizontal container movement associated with long distance port terminal container flow using straddle carriers. Lyttelton Port Company Limited, $157,350: Lyttleton Port Company will replace a diesel sweeper truck, which operates at multiple Port locations, with a battery electric vehicle (BEV) equivalent. The project will demonstrate how the electric sweeper can operate efficiently for a full work shift and how its operation impacts battery performance and operational productivity. Round 14 approved projects Round 14 of the LETF launched on 29 July 2024 for Vehicles, Technology, Off-road and Marine. The round closed on 9 September 2024. EECA has approved 12 projects that would allocate co-funding of $2,198,620. Etrucks Limited, $20,000: Etrucks will import and demonstrate an E1400 Windrose long-range electric truck. The E1400 has a loaded range (49t) of 670km. The truck will come equipped with MCS and CCS2 charging. Port Napier Limited, $302,000: Port of Napier will demonstrate autonomous battery-electric container terminal tractors (ABECTTs) and a battery-swap charger in their port operations. ContainerCo (NZL) Limited, $232,000: ContainerCo will replace a single empty container handler with a fully electric version to demonstrate that the current diesel empty handlers could be entirely replaced with electric handlers. Seeka Limited, $27,000: Seeka will demonstrate two custom-designed electric ATVs for use under kiwifruit canopies, reducing emissions, improving safety, and cutting operational costs while aligning with sustainability goals through reduced fuel and maintenance expenses. Lyttelton Port Company Limited, $252,000: Lyttelton Port Company will demonstrate replacing a diesel empty container handler with a battery electric equivalent. Green Pacific Shipping Limited, $500,000: Green Pacific Shipping will demonstrate a 30-passenger electric foiling ferry built by Candela to operate between Auckland, Coromandel and Waiheke. Being transportable, including its charging equipment, it will be available around New Zealand for demonstration and trial by other potential users. Change Fuel Technologies Limited, $97,000: Change Fuel Technologies will build and demonstrate a hydrogen refuelling vehicle which can supply hydrogen to off-road vehicles. Rotorua Forest Haulage Limited, $20,000: Rotorua Forest Haulage will work with Scania NZ to demonstrate a fully electric truck that can operate on New Zealand roads at HPMV weights of 54T. Action Manufacturing, $132,000: Action Manufacturing will demonstrate a 100% electric refrigerated semi-trailer. The technology represents a step forward for trailer refrigeration. D&H Equipment Limited, $242,000: D&H Equipment alongside Ballance Agri-Nutrients will demonstrate a 20-tonne electric wheel loader in their fertiliser plant. This will test the suitability of electric off-road equipment in a highly corrosive fertiliser environment. Kwetta Limited, $239,600: This project aims to demonstrate how Kwetta's 'grid first' innovation can unlock and optimise existing network infrastructure for EV fast charging, by piloting Kwetta's dynamic flexibility grid service. United Civil Limited, $135,020: United Civil Construction will demonstrate their first fully electric 4-tonne excavator in Northland and Napier. This size excavator is widely used across many sectors and the project will demonstrate its use case across two regions.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Bill Lee signs bill introducing changes to Tennessee's hemp industry in 2026
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill that will introduce new regulations to the Tennessee hemp industry in 2026. The legislation, House Bill 1376, bans products with THCA and synthetic cannabinoids and also prohibits direct-to-consumer sales. The bill also transfers authority over hemp-derived cannabinoid products from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The most significant aspect of the legislation is that it would restrict the manufacturing and sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid products that are not Delta-9 THC to a maximum concentration of 0.3%. This regulation restricts the types of hemp products that can be sold within the state. The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville. 'We have a situation here in Tennessee where we are essentially dealing with unregulated recreational marijuana,' Briggs said during debate on the bill. 'It's the wild west out there.' This bill will take effect as soon as it becomes law for administrative purposes. For all other purposes, it will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Here is a detailed look at the measures introduced in the bill. Defines a non-Delta-9 "hemp-derived cannabinoid" as a hemp-derived product that contains more than 0.1% and is intended to be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin Defines Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol "hemp-derived cannabinoid" as a hemp-derived product containing a concentration of 0.3%, intended to be ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin Prohibit the sale of all hemp-derived cannabinoid products to anyone under the age of 21 Prohibits driving under the influence of hemp-derived cannabis products Requires consumers of hemp-derived cannabinoid products to store them in their original packaging Prohibits marketing, labeling, and packaging products to anyone under the age of 21, and bans labels and marketing efforts that include superheroes, comic books, television and video game characters, unicorns and other mythical characters Establishes taxes on cannabinoid products, including: $0.02 cent/mg tax on cannabinoid products; $50/oz tax on the flower portion of the cannabis plant; $4.40/gal tax on liquid cannabis products sold in bottles, cans and kegs Requires manufacturers of liquid cannabinoid products to pay a $300 annual brand fee Establishes licensure and product testing requirements for cannabis product suppliers, wholesalers, and retailers Outlines documentation requirements for anyone transporting hemp-derived cannabinoid products into or within Tennessee Outlines penalties for licensure and sale violations Designates the Alcoholic Beverage Commission as the authority for oversight and enforcement THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is a prominent chemical compound found in cannabis. You can smoke THC or put it in an edible to get high. There are a few different versions of THC, including Delta-9, Delta-8, and Delta-10. Delta 9 is the most common. THC is also used in THCA and THCV, which offer health benefits without the high or psychedelic effects. However, if THCA is heated up and decarbonized, it can cause a high usually associated with marijuana. Hemp and marijuana are the same species, according to Healthline. They're just two different names for cannabis. The main difference between the terms is how much THC each contains. The term 'hemp' is used to mean cannabis that contains 0.3% or less THC content by dry weight, according to Healthline. Marijuana is generally associated with getting high. The term legally refers to cannabis that has more than 0.3% THC by dry weight. Marijuana is not legal in Tennessee, but hemp products can be sold. You can buy legal recreational marijuana in nearly half of U.S. states. But neither medical marijuana nor recreational weed is legally available in Tennessee. According to DISA Global Solutions, marijuana is legal for medical and recreational purchase and consumption in the following states: Alaska Arizona California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Illinois Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Missouri Montana Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York Ohio Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Virginia Washington Washington, D.C. This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Is hemp legal in Tennessee? Gov. Lee signs bill for industry changes
BBC News
15-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Harbour Learning Trust proposes half-day Friday plans
An academy trust is considering finishing early on a Friday to allow teachers more time to plan for Learning Trust, which runs schools in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Lincoln, has sent a letter to parents and carers asking for their views on the proposals, which include a formal finish time of 12:45 BST on changes would also see primary schools start 15 minutes earlier, with lunch breaks reduced from an hour to 45 minutes, with a finish time of 14:45 Monday to said the changes would impact working families and mean less classroom time for pupils. According to the letter, seen by the BBC, teachers currently spend one afternoon a week away from class to plan these times, pupils are taught by other school staff, or external sports introducing the revised timetable, pupils would only be taught by a fully qualified teacher in their lessons, it would also run until 14:45 BST on a Friday, but would not be part of the formal school for a proposed reduction to the hour-long lunch break, the letter stated that this was often a time when pupils "make poor behaviour decisions".By cutting it to 45 minutes, there would be less opportunity to "get it wrong", it trust's chief executive officer Richard Briggs said: "This is a genuine consultation and we are seeking the views of our parents on these planned changes."If these proposals go ahead, our pupils will spend all of their time in school in front of a fully qualified teacher, which means they will make more progress and increase their life chances."We understand that some parents may have childcare concerns, which is why we have started this consultation early and will make final decisions early in June to allow parents nearly three months to make alternative arrangements if necessary." 'Financial hit' However, parent Joe Barker, who is campaigning against the plans, told the BBC: "One of the big gripes parents have is more households than ever have two working parents - with the motto at the moment to 'get Britain working again'."One of the arguments they have is this will create more family time. It won't because it will force parents to alter their working patterns and either make the time up elsewhere, or take a financial hit," he the plans, Mr Barker said each child would have considerably less learning time and miss out on "play time", which he said was an "absolutely essential part" of a child's learning."They are dressing it up as a benefit to the children - when there is no real benefit," he shared similar views on social parent wrote: "I have already discussed with my daughter about potentially moving schools as both myself and her dad work full time."Another said: "Absolutely shocking idea. Reduced dinner times, kids will be rushed to eat. They don't get long enough as it is."Harbour Learning Trust consists of eight academies: Healing Academy, Healing, GrimsbyErmine Primary Academy, LincolnHartsholme Academy, LincolnGreat Coates Primary School, GrimsbyHealing Primary Academy, Healing, GrimsbyWilliam Barcroft Junior School, CleethorpesSt Giles Academy, Healing, GrimsbyWoodlands Academy, GrimsbyThe trust's secondary school, Healing Academy, is not affected by the proposals, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.A consultation runs until 2 June, and any changes would only come in at the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Tandridge District Council rejects plans to merge with Crawley
A Surrey council has rejected plans to merge with an authority in West of Tandridge District Council (TDC) have voted to remain in Surrey and distance themselves from a merger with Crawley Borough Council (CBC).Catherine Sayer, leader of TDC, said the authority had "little in common with Crawley" and that there would be "considerable drawbacks for our district joining any unitary with them [and] potentially isolating TDC geographically".Neighbouring Reigate and Banstead Borough Council (RBBC) have been in talks with Crawley about potentially forming one council under devolution plans. RBBC leader Richard Briggs had written to the government, stating that joining the Surrey borough and West Sussex town could maximise the economic growth potential of the Gatwick Diamond economic said the merger could improve connectivity, housing delivery and public CBC's submission to the government, Tandridge is included in five of its seven geographic options, despite officers making it clear that Tandridge did not wish to be joined in this way, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service .TDC councillor Helena Windsor said she could see where the Reigate and Banstead and the Crawley argument was coming from, but agreed it was a "non-starter" as it would leave Tandridge "very isolated". 'Considerable risks' Jonathan Essex, leader of the Green groups on RBBC and Surrey County Council, labelled the idea as a "grotesque betrayal of the many residents who say that the Green Belt is what they value most about where they live".TDC councillors had voted in favour of Surrey being split into three unitary authorities - where Tandridge would be partnered up with Mole Valley, Epsom and Ewell, Reigate and Banstead as well as Surrey documents stated: "The Reigate and Banstead and Crawley submission adds considerable risks to the successful implementation of any Surrey unitary structure."Campaigners in Crawly also started a petition to keep the town's argued Crawley was an integral part to West Sussex and was being exploited as a strategic economic asset because of Gatwick Airport.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill requiring immigrants without legal status to leave Tennessee in 72 hours shelved until 2026
A bill that would send immigrants without permanent legal status to jail for being in Tennessee was pushed to 2026. (Photo: John Partipilo) A bill creating a new state crime for immigrants illegally present in Tennessee – punishable by incarceration followed by a 72-hour notice to vacate the state – has been deferred until 2026. The move to table the controversial measure Wednesday in the Senate State and Local Government Committee came at the request of its chairman. Sen. Richard Briggs, a Knoxville Republican, cited his neighbor from Canada, an engineer who is at risk of being unable to renew her visa before it expires due to bureaucratic delays resulting from actions taken by the Department of Government Efficiency. Briggs said he was concerned the law could sweep up immigrants like her. Bill giving immigrants without legal status 72 hours to leave Tennessee advances in House The bill's sponsor, Republican Sen. Jack Johnson of Franklin, acknowledged the measure runs afoul of established law and a 2012 Supreme Court decision that said states cannot usurp the federal government's exclusive power to enact immigration enforcement laws. Rep. Lee Reeves, a Franklin Republican, cosponsored the bill, but noted the bill would take effect only in certain circumstances. The bill was crafted as a 'trigger' law, only going into effect if one of three things happened: the Supreme Court overturned its 2012 decision, the U.S. Constitution is amended or similar laws enacted by other states remain in effect for 60 days. Sponsors of the bill said it was intended to 'demagnetize' Tennessee as a destination for immigrants who lack legal status and immigrant advocates called it 'incredibly inhumane' legislation that put families living in Tennessee at risk. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
