Research and analysis: Landfill methane oxidation techniques

This project provides evidence on selecting appropriate methane oxidation techniques over the whole life cycle of a landfill.

When waste is disposed of in a landfill it biodegrades and produces a gas. This landfill gas is mainly made up of carbon dioxide and methane. Methane is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide and the climate change impact of landfilling is reduced by capturing the landfill gas and oxidising the methane to carbon dioxide.

The project provides a framework within which evidence-based decisions can be made on the appropriate methane oxidation techniques at each stage of a landfill’s life-cycle. This will enable landfill operators and regulators to ensure the continued oxidation of landfill methane and so will help to mitigate the climate change impact of landfill.



Press release: Environment Agency approves Third Energy’s hydraulic fracture plan

The Environment Agency has approved (Tuesday 10 October) Third Energy’s hydraulic fracture plan (frack plan) for its well site at Kirby Misperton in North Yorkshire.

An approved frack plan is required before the company starts fracking under the conditions of the operator’s environmental permit, which was issued by the Environment Agency in April 2016 after extensive public consultation.

The Environment Agency is confident, following a thorough assessment of the frack plan, that Third Energy has demonstrated it has the right procedures in place to control and monitor the fracturing process. The plan will be available to view on the Environment Agency’s Citizen Space website.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

We are satisfied with Third Energy’s arrangements for monitoring during and after hydraulic fracturing. The Environment Agency is committed to ensuring that shale gas operations meet the highest environmental standards and can only go ahead if they are safe for people and the environment.

Our environmental permits set out the legal conditions needed to protect groundwater, surface water and air quality and to ensure the safe storage, management and disposal of waste. Our staff will continue to carry out regular on-site checks and audits to ensure that the company is meeting the high standards we require.

The fracture plan and other operational documents relating to Third Energy’s operation can be found on the Environment Agency’s Citizen Space website.



Press release: Environment Agency approves Third Energy’s hydraulic fracture plan

The Environment Agency has approved (Tuesday 10 October) Third Energy’s hydraulic fracture plan (frack plan) for its well site at Kirby Misperton in North Yorkshire.

An approved frack plan is required before the company starts fracking under the conditions of the operator’s environmental permit, which was issued by the Environment Agency in April 2016 after extensive public consultation.

The Environment Agency is confident, following a thorough assessment of the frack plan, that Third Energy has demonstrated it has the right procedures in place to control and monitor the fracturing process. The plan will be available to view on the Environment Agency’s Citizen Space website.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

We are satisfied with Third Energy’s arrangements for monitoring during and after hydraulic fracturing. The Environment Agency is committed to ensuring that shale gas operations meet the highest environmental standards and can only go ahead if they are safe for people and the environment.

Our environmental permits set out the legal conditions needed to protect groundwater, surface water and air quality and to ensure the safe storage, management and disposal of waste. Our staff will continue to carry out regular on-site checks and audits to ensure that the company is meeting the high standards we require.

The fracture plan and other operational documents relating to Third Energy’s operation can be found on the Environment Agency’s Citizen Space website.



Press release: Environment Agency approves Third Energy’s hydraulic fracture plan

The Environment Agency has approved (Tuesday 10 October) Third Energy’s hydraulic fracture plan (frack plan) for its well site at Kirby Misperton in North Yorkshire.

An approved frack plan is required before the company starts fracking under the conditions of the operator’s environmental permit, which was issued by the Environment Agency in April 2016 after extensive public consultation.

The Environment Agency is confident, following a thorough assessment of the frack plan, that Third Energy has demonstrated it has the right procedures in place to control and monitor the fracturing process. The plan will be available to view on the Environment Agency’s Citizen Space website.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

We are satisfied with Third Energy’s arrangements for monitoring during and after hydraulic fracturing. The Environment Agency is committed to ensuring that shale gas operations meet the highest environmental standards and can only go ahead if they are safe for people and the environment.

Our environmental permits set out the legal conditions needed to protect groundwater, surface water and air quality and to ensure the safe storage, management and disposal of waste. Our staff will continue to carry out regular on-site checks and audits to ensure that the company is meeting the high standards we require.

The fracture plan and other operational documents relating to Third Energy’s operation can be found on the Environment Agency’s Citizen Space website.



News story: North East, Yorkshire and the Humber top apprentices and apprentice employers announced

The National Apprenticeship Awards, now in their 14th year, showcase the successes and benefits of apprenticeships across England in the last year. We have announced the winners and highly commended entries at an awards ceremony held at the Royal York Hotel.

Apprentices and employers fought off tough competition by demonstrating how businesses are growing their own talent pool with apprenticeships and how apprentices have made a significant contribution to their workplace.

This year’s winners for the North East are:

Apprentice categories:

  • Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Dawn Cochrane, South Tees Health Trust
  • Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Alice Hurren, Department for Education
  • Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Site Licence Companies award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year: Chris Armstrong, GlaxoSmithKline
  • Apprenticeship Champion: Amanda Graham, North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust

And highly commended:

  • Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Paige Reavley, Northumbria Healthcare Foundation Trust
  • Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Tilly Greer, GlaxoSmithKline
  • Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Site Licence Companies award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year: Sophie Tweddle, GlaxoSmithKline
  • Apprenticeship Champion: Karen Hookham, Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust and Peter Calvert, Tad Web Solutions Ltd

Employer categories:

  • Small Employer of the Year: McCarrick Construction
  • Large Employer of the Year: Home Group
  • The Open University award for Macro Employer of the Year: Lookers plc
  • Rolls-Royce award for Newcomer Large Employer of the Year: Magnet

And highly commended:

  • Large Employer of the Year: Go North East and Hays Travel
  • The Open University award for Macro Employer of the Year: Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and Accenture
  • Rolls-Royce award for Newcomer Large Employer of the Year: County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service

This year’s winners for Yorkshire and the Humber are:

Apprentice categories:

  • Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Emily Faulkner, G E V Wind Power
  • Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Hannah Magowan, Dale Power Solutions
  • Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Site Licence Companies award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year: Mickyle Clark, Dale Power Solutions Ltd
  • Apprenticeship Champion: Sarah Barley, South Hunsley School

And highly commended:

  • Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Emily Grimes, York College
  • Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Calum James Finn, Nestle UK Ltd. and Innes Macdonald, British Army
  • Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Site Licence Companies award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year: Benjamin Bruin, Openreach
  • Apprenticeship Champion: Rebecca Edgecumbe, Interserve Learning & Employment and Mandy Scott, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Employer categories:

  • Medium Employer of the Year: Ebsford Environmental Ltd
  • Large Employer of the Year: Dale Power Solutions Ltd
  • The Open University award for Macro Employer of the Year: Lloyds Banking Group
  • BAE Sytems award for Newcomer SME Employer of the Year: Blue Logic
  • Rolls-Royce award for Newcomer Large Employer of the Year: YBS Group (Yorkshire Building Society)

And highly commended:

  • Medium Employer of the Year: Michael and Margaret Naylor and Associates
  • Large Employer of the Year: Liberty Speciality Steels and Syngenta
  • The Open University award for Macro Employer of the Year: Nestlé
  • Rolls-Royce award for Newcomer Large Employer of the Year: Zenith and Dovecote Park Ltd

Following the 6 regional ceremonies taking place across England, winners from each category will have their entries sent for national judging. Three from each category will then be selected as national finalists. The very best employer category entries are also in the running to feature in the prestigious Centrica sponsored Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list 2017.

Skills and Apprenticeships Minister Anne Milton said:

The National Apprenticeship Awards are a fantastic way to demonstrate the incredible benefits and contributions of both apprentices and their employers across the country.

My personal congratulations go out to everyone who has taken part in the National Apprenticeship Awards so far, and also to those heading to the national finals. You truly are worthy ambassadors for apprenticeships.

Sue Husband, director, National Apprenticeship Service, added:

The National Apprenticeship Awards allow talented apprentices and committed employers from across our regions to receive well-deserved recognition for their apprenticeship achievements. In turn I hope that the exposure given to winners encourages more employers and individuals to get involved.

Winners recognised today in the North East, Yorkshire and Humber region show the range of sectors and variety of job roles apprenticeships are available in, and how they can deliver the skills employers need. I congratulate all winners and highly commended finalists on their success. For those heading to the national finals, I wish them the very best of luck for the next stage of the competition.

National award winners and the Top 100 Employers will be announced at a ceremony to be held on 18 January 2018 in London.

This year’s sponsors for the North East, Yorkshire and Humber awards are YH Training, Px Group, Yorkshire Housing, Leeds College of Building and Baltic Training.

To find out more information about apprenticeships or the apprenticeship awards visit GOV.UK. Alternatively call 08000 150 600 or follow @apprenticeships on Twitter and National Apprenticeship Service on LinkedIn.