BP and lawyers for businesses and individuals suing over the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill are near a $14 billion accord to be funded with money set aside for out-of-court settlements, according to three people familiar with the talks. BP would close its $20 billion Gulf Coast Claims Facility and shift the remaining $14 billion to plaintiffs hurt by the disaster, the largest offshore spill in U.S. history, the people said. Such a deal wouldn’t include fines by the federal government that could reach $17.6 billion, lawsuits by state governments or claims between BP and partner companies involved in the disaster.
London’s red buses get greener still with Routemaster launch
A new bus, twice as fuel efficient as a diesel alternative, hit London’s streets for the first time at midday today, serving the 38 route between Victoria and Hackney. The hybrid bus, modelled on the classic Routemaster, was meant to be launched last week, but was delayed after Department for Transport certification took more time than expected. Transport for London (TfL) says the bus is 15% more fuel efficient than existing hybrid buses and 40% more efficient than conventional diesel double deckers, as well as being much quieter on the streets.
The Lego parent company Kirkbi A/S is investing about $539 million for a 32% stake in a wind farm project off the German coast, as it aims for a goal of 100% renewable energy by 2020. Dong Energy will build Borkum Riffgrund 1, a 277 MW wind farm consisting of 77 3.6 MW turbines from Siemens Wind Power. Work on the project will begin in 2013, with the farm supplying some power by 2014, and completion scheduled in 2015. So far, it is the largest renewable energy investment by a Danish company, the Lego Group said.
Unilever in talks to map out nationwide food waste plan
Unilever has joined forces with key industry stakeholders to scope out a recovery road map for food waste generated across the supply chain. Unilever met up with representatives from several other organisations including the Institute of Hospitality, WRAP and PDM Group to form a ‘visionary panel’ to address the challenges and opportunities in developing a nationwide infrastructure to divert food waste from landfill. The panel aims to identify key areas where action is needed for the UK to be in a position to recycle all the food waste generated across the food chain.
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