Latest news with #carbonTax
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Shropshire Council warns of new waste tax it 'cannot afford'
A council has warned that a new carbon tax on incinerated waste would be "an additional financial burden" that it "cannot afford".All of Shropshire Council's non-recyclable waste is burned at the Battlefield Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) in Shrewsbury, which generates electricity in the government has said expanding the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) to include incinerators from 2028 will cut emissions and improve nine-in-ten local authorities have said they will not be able to meet these additional costs within their existing waste and recycling budgets. Last year, BBC research found that burning household rubbish to make electricity was now the dirtiest way the UK generates power. The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents councils in England and Wales, predicts that the ETS could collectively cost councils up to £747m in 2028, rising to £1.1bn in Council owns the Battlefield ERF but it is operated by waste management firm site generates enough electricity to power 10,000 how much cost will be passed on to the council is unclear. But it is likely to be millions of pounds - money the council would struggle to LGA has argued that councils are not commercial operators and cannot refuse waste collections. 'Additional financial burden' Shropshire Council said the authority was assessing the cost of the proposed tax and would work with Violia to develop a strategy to reduce the impact on taxpayers."This is clearly an additional financial burden that Shropshire Council cannot afford," the authority said."The most sensible option would be to compensate councils as part of the finance settlement, though a more cost-effective option would be to not pass the costs on to local government in the first place."The expansion of the carbon tax, which currently applies to aviation and energy intensive industries, has been criticised by the County Councils organisation is calling on the government to focus instead on the industries creating fossil-based materials, such as plastic packaging, textiles, electrical items and furniture. 'Crazy behaviour by government' "Passing the cost on to councils when we're not in a position to control waste disposal to avoid incineration, or we're locked into extremely long contacts, is crazy behaviour by government," said Richard Clewer, a spokesperson for the County Councils Network and former Conservative leader of Wiltshire Council."The cost will literally push councils over the edge to bankruptcy."Almost all top-tier councils dealing with social care are facing very significant cost pressures . . . the government has got to be more thoughtful and joined up than this."The Battlefield ERF, which has been operational since 2015, burns about 100,000 tonnes of waste a year, including all of Shropshire Council's non-recyclables, plus waste from other areas, including Telford and waste has increased the tonnage of residual waste being burned at the Battlefield incinerator after a ban on scraps being put in green bins, rolled out from November when the £56 garden waste charge was all councils must provide a free weekly food waste collection by April next year. The leftover food will end up being turned into biogas rather than being government says it wants to manage waste in a way that works for communities and is fit for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said "expanding the UK Emissions Trading Scheme to include energy from waste facilities will cut emissions and drive investment in cleaner supply chains."We continue to engage with industry and local authorities on the detail of this scheme, including how costs will be managed to reflect emissions reductions and recycling efforts, and will provide further updates in due course." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
CBC
7 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Should Quebec keep its carbon pricing system?
Social Sharing Since the federal government scrapped its carbon tax, Quebec stands alone as the only province with its own price on carbon. Now, the Quebec government is facing calls from some corners to eliminate it in order to bring down the price at the pump. But some experts say that would put us even further from our climate goals. And some Quebecers are still trying to wrap their heads around what exactly we're paying — and where the money goes. Do you have a question about Montreal? Host Ainslie MacLellan is determined to help find the answer. Whether it's a story that's disappeared from the headlines, a curious landmark in your neighbourhood, or a quirk of Montreal life you've been wondering about, we're on it. Let's learn about this place together. Your Montreal questions, answered weekly. Nothing too big, too small or too weird. What are you wondering? Send us your question here.
CBC
28-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Poilievre's crusade against taxes continues outside question period
Pierre Poilievre lost his seat in the federal election and wasn't able to participate in the first House of Commons debate. So the Conservative leader took questions from media elsewhere and criticized the Liberals for 'copying' policies his party campaigned on: an income tax cut, GST reductions on homes and axing the consumer carbon tax.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
As Quebecers are paying more at the pump, concerns about businesses being less competitive
The Legault government says it's not reducing its carbon tax system, meaning Quebecers continue to pay more and businesses will be less competitive.
CBC
22-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Why B.C. gas prices are fluctuating after the removal of the carbon tax
We may have seen the end of the carbon tax, but drivers are still paying a pretty penny at the pump. As CBC's Amelia John reports, a refinery fire in California is being blamed for higher prices in B.C.
