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New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
BMI maintains average annual CPO futures price at RM4,150 per tonne this year
KUALA LUMPUR: BMI, a Fitch Solutions unit, has maintained its view that the average annual price forecast for Bursa Malaysia-listed crude palm oil (CPO) futures contracts will trade at RM4,150 a tonne in 2025. In a note today, BMI said that as of the market's closure on June 27, front-month CPO contracts settled at RM3,986 per tonne, bringing the year-to-date average to RM4,360 per tonne. "Accordingly, we expect palm oil prices to trade between RM3,800 per tonne and RM4,000 per tonne for the remainder of 2025," it said. BMI said palm oil prices came under significant pressure throughout the second quarter (2Q), declining by 17.7 per cent in the quarter-to-date, driven by weaker global crude prices, improved Malaysian output and subdued demand. However, it said the market found some "support" in June following a brief rally, sparked by both geopolitical and policy developments. "Prices rose by around six per cent between June 12 and June 16, initially as global crude oil prices surged in the wake of the Israel-Iran conflict. "This rally was further reinforced by the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) announcement of sharply higher proposed biofuel blending targets for 2026 and 2027, with the 2026 target representing a 67.5 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) increase," it said. While these proposals primarily buoyed soya oil, the resulting strength in the broader edible oils complex also benefited palm oil prices, it added. Meanwhile, BMI expects Malaysian palm oil output to reach 19.5 million tonnes in the 2025/2026 season, representing a y-o-y increase of 0.5 per cent. "In our 1Q 2025 price forecast update, we highlighted that ongoing production challenges in Malaysia were providing support to palm oil prices, as data from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board indicated a 5.9 per cent y-o-y reduction in crude palm oil output during 1Q 2025. "However, we also anticipated that Malaysian crude palm oil production would recover over the coming months," it said, adding this expectation has been validated as of the latest available monthly data (May), with cumulative output in April and May 2025 totalling 3.5 million tonnes, a y-o-y increase of 7.8 per cent. BMI said this recovery has helped alleviate some of the recent tightness in the global market, exerting downward pressure on prices.
Business Journals
01-07-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Missouri American Water keeps quality on tap
Missouri American Water has continued providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable water and wastewater service since 1886. With nearly 140 years of experience, the company has become a leader in the water and wastewater industry. Serving approximately 1.6 million Missourians, we strictly follow regulations that are set by local authorities as well as federal standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). We understand how important water and wastewater service is to daily life. When you need it, you expect it to be there. Water quality For 22 years, six of our treatment plants have been recognized with the Directors Award from the Partnership for Safe Water, a voluntary initiative developed by six prestigious drinking water organizations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. For a second year in a row, Missouri American Water has won the Drinking Water Taste Test award at the joint MO-AWWA/MWEA conference. The company's Water Quality Reports are published online and are updated each spring. expand Investing in aging infrastructure Recently released grades from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, a comprehensive assessment of the nation's 18 major infrastructure categories, paint a grim and stagnant picture for water and wastewater systems across the U.S. Drinking water infrastructure received a grade of C-, while wastewater infrastructure earned a D+. These grades haven't changed or improved in the four years since the ASCE 2021 Report Card. With over 1 trillion dollars in infrastructure investments needed in water and wastewater across the country over the next two decades, Missouri American Water continues to work with local, state and federal leaders to provide expertise and investment in communities that need to strengthen their water and wastewater systems. Providing high quality water and wastewater service is our top priority. Customers and community leaders can view an interactive map of the company's pipe replacement projects. Projects are prioritized based on main break rate, system criticality and coordination with state and local governments. Passing of SB 4 Recently, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed a bill that will allow private utilities in Missouri to plan rates based on future costs versus historical costs. This helps utility companies, like Missouri American Water, plan for necessary investments while focusing on rate stability. Built-in projections help safeguard customers from being overcharged if actual costs are lower than estimated. Why Future Test Year is good public policy: Incentivizes greater infrastructure investment Attracts business and makes Missouri more competitive for economic development Aligns Missouri with most other states, which use modern rate-setting tools to balance customer protection and investment needs Keeps rates predictable by allowing utilities to invest in new technologies and perform necessary maintenance to improve reliability Excess charges will be refunded to customers if projected costs are overestimated, creating a fairer system where customers only pay for actual, justified expenses Helping Eureka solve water and wastewater challenges In 2022, Missouri American Water began providing water and wastewater service to the city of Eureka. Prior to the acquisition, the city found it increasingly difficult and costly to meet federal and state regulations and find personnel with the ability to operate the systems efficiently. Many residents complained about the aesthetic qualities of the city's drinking water which was supplied by wells. In addition to the purchase price of $28 million, Missouri American Water pledged to invest $37 million over the next 10 years to improve the city's water quality, upgrade aging infrastructure and maintain regulatory compliance. With the acquisition, we welcomed the city employees as our own. Construction of a five-mile pipeline to our St. Louis Treatment Plant was completed in late 2024. As of May, all Eureka residents and businesses are receiving water that is treated at our Central Plant in Chesterfield. The company is actively replacing aged meters with Advanced Meter Infrastructure. These investments will improve Eureka's water quality while allowing for proactive leak detection.
Hans India
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Cheating by manufacturers and tampering by owners leading to car pollution
Emission control systems in modern cars have slashed air pollutants such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. But these systems face two major challenges: carmakers cheating on pollution tests and owner tampering. Cheating means high-polluting cars can be sold when they shouldn't be, while tampering can increase some pollutants up to 100 times. In our new research review, we found the impacts of cheating and tampering on emissions of pollutants are substantial across the globe. For instance, researchers in Spain found almost half the diesel trucks had been tampered with, while the Volkswagen Dieselgate cheating scandal uncovered in 2015 led to an estimated A$60 billion in health costs in the European Union. The solutions? Better detection of tampering, cheating and malfunctioning emission systems – and vigilance to get high polluting cars off the road. How did we get here? From the 1950s onwards, smog, air pollution and health issues from car exhausts led many regulators to require carmakers to reduce dangerous air pollutants. These days, modern combustion-engine cars are complex computer-controlled systems optimised to balance engine performance, durability and emission control. Authorities in many nations rely on testing to see if a new model is emitting at rates low enough to meet emission standards. Manufacturers can take advantage of the known quirks of official tests and intentionally alter how their vehicles operate during testing. To do this, they may install a 'defeat device', usually deep in the car's engine or its computer code. These devices shift the car to a special low-emissions mode if testing is detected. They're typically easy for the automaker to install and difficult to detect. Defeat devices are mainly found in diesel cars and trucks, since diesel emissions control systems are more complicated and expensive than petrol or LPG. Adding an emission control system to meet Euro 6 standards costs about $600 for a petrol car. For diesel, the cost can be three to five times higher. In 2015, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the state of California announced Volkswagen had been using a software-based defeat device to make its diesel cars appear substantially cleaner. The scandal drew worldwide attention and cost the company about $50 billion. For those caught, large fines and mandatory recalls have followed. But this hasn't been enough to stop the practice. The way these tests are conducted usually must be disclosed by law to ensure transparency and make results comparable and repeatable. Unfortunately, having detailed knowledge of the tests makes it easier to cheat. Tampering by car owners Tampering is largely done by owners of diesel cars and trucks. Owners can tamper with emission control systems to improve performance, rebel against laws they don't agree with or avoid extra costs such as Adblue, a liquid needed to reduce nitrogen oxides emissions from diesel trucks. Tampering is usually illegal. But that hasn't stopped the production of aftermarket tampering devices, such as software which deactivates emission control systems. It's not necessarily illegal to sell these devices, but it is illegal to install and use them. In the road freight sector, the use of aftermarket tampering by vehicle owners also acts as an unfair economic advantage by undercutting responsible and law-abiding operators. Combustion engine cars and trucks will be on the world's roads for decades to come. Ensuring they run as cleanly as possible over their lifetime will require independent and in-service emissions testing. Authorities will also need to focus on enforcement. Creating an internationally agreed test protocol for the detection of defeat devices will also be necessary. Combating tampering by owners as well as malfunctioning emissions systems will require better detection efforts, either through on-road emissions testing or during a car service. One approach would be to add telemetry to the onboard diagnostics systems now common in modern cars. Telemetry radio transponders can report emissions problems to the owner and relevant authorities, who can then act. Shifting to EVs offers the most robust and cost-effective way to combat fraud and cut exhaust pollutants and carbon emissions from road transport. But this will take decades. Authorities need to ensure diesel and petrol vehicles run as cleanly as possible until they can be retired. (Robin Smit is associated with the University of Technology Sydney and Alberto Ayala is from West Virginia University)
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
US regulators move forward on controversial policy change that could pose risks to human health: 'By then it'll be too late'
The United States Environmental Protection Agency is considering the approval of a new pesticide ingredient that contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, a class of harmful chemicals. The potential approval has sparked concerns among health and environmental advocates. As The New Lede reported in early May, the EPA announced the proposed registration of cyclobutrifluram, a chemical designed to control pests and diseases in crops such as soybeans, lettuce, cotton, and ornamental plants, per an April EPA news release. Developed by Syngenta, the chemical is being marketed as the active ingredient in the agritech company's new product Tymirium, which is intended to protect plants from parasitic nematodes and fungal diseases. "It will give farmers the freedom to maximize their yields without having to compromise on sustainability," Jon Parr, then-president of global crop protection at Syngenta, said in a 2020 statement. However, environmental groups have urged the EPA to reject the registration of cyclobutrifluram, citing concerns about potential long-term health and ecological impacts since the chemical falls into the PFAS category. This group of chemicals is known to accumulate in human bodies and the environment for decades, possibly centuries. While the EPA says it didn't find any risks to human health or threats to animals when the chemical was used in line with directions, the agency opened a portal for public comments and will consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service before making a final decision. The New Lede reported that opponents of the chemical are concerned its registration will be approved anyway. "We're quickly returning to the age of the 1960s and 1970s, when really persistent pesticides, like DDT, were in wide use," Nathan Donley, the Center for Biological Diversity's environmental health science director, told the outlet. "The legacy of impacts of what the EPA's currently approving won't be known for decades. By then it'll be too late." PFAS have been called "forever chemicals" because natural processes do not easily break them down. They can persist in the environment long after contamination and in human bodies long after exposure. The chemicals have been linked to a slew of health problems, including increased cholesterol, reproductive issues, an increased risk of cancers, and developmental delays. In ecosystems, they can pose similar risks to wildlife and can harm habitats by contaminating air, water, soil, and food sources. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. While the EPA designated two widely used PFAS — PFOA and PFOS — as hazardous substances in 2024 and banned 12 PFAS chemicals from nonfood pesticide products in 2022, the agency appears to support approval of this new PFAS-containing pesticide ingredient, according to an April memorandum. Given that PFAS compounds have been detected on around 4,000 farms across the U.S., and many fertilizers used to grow our food contain these chemicals, approving a pesticide that includes them could further contaminate food supplies. Environmental groups such as Toxic Free North Carolina and the Environmental Protection Network submitted petitions to the EPA expressing opposition to the registration of cyclobutrifluram. In its public comment, science, regulatory, and advocacy manager Sara Grantham wrote on behalf of the organization Beyond Pesticides, "PFAS should be banned from all products, and no new chemicals should be approved for use that fall into this class." While the period for public comment appears to have closed, residents may still consider sharing their opinions on the matter with elected officials and voicing support for pro-environment policies that protect human health and fragile habitats. In the meantime, lawmakers in Maryland are considering a sweeping ban on over 1,000 pesticides that contain forever chemicals, and environmental groups in the United Kingdom are urging the government to ban PFAS-containing pesticides after a study found the substances on numerous fruits and vegetables. Those who wish to mitigate their exposure to PFAS and pesticides now might consider buying organic produce or even growing their own fruits and vegetables, which may come with the added benefits of higher nutrient levels and lower grocery costs. Avoiding certain consumer goods, such as nonstick cookware, can also help reduce household PFAS exposures. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Business Journals
01-06-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
How Missouri American Water keeps quality on tap
Missouri American Water has continued providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable water and wastewater service since 1886. With nearly 140 years of experience, the company has become a leader in the water and wastewater industry. Serving approximately 1.6 million Missourians, the company strictly follows regulations that are set by local authorities as well as federal standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Missouri American Water understands how important water and wastewater service is to daily life. When you need it, you expect it to be there. Water quality For 22 years, six of Missouri American Water's treatment plants have been recognized with the Directors Award from the Partnership for Safe Water, a voluntary initiative developed by six prestigious drinking water organizations including the EPA. For a second year in a row, Missouri American Water has won the 'Drinking Water Taste Test' award at the joint MO-AWWA/MWEA conference. The company's water quality reports are published online and are updated each spring. expand Investing in aging infrastructure Recently released grades from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, a comprehensive assessment of the nation's 18 major infrastructure categories, paint a grim and stagnant picture for water and wastewater systems across the U.S. Drinking water infrastructure received a grade of C-, while wastewater infrastructure earned a D+. These grades haven't changed or improved in the four years since the ASCE 2021 Report Card. With over a trillion dollars in infrastructure investments needed in water and wastewater across the country over the next two decades, American Water continues to work with local, state and federal leaders to provide expertise and investment in communities that need to strengthen their water and wastewater systems. Providing high quality water and wastewater service is a top priority. Customers and community leaders can view an interactive map of the company's pipe replacement projects. Projects are prioritized based on main break rate, system criticality and coordination with state and local governments. Passing of SB 4 Recently, Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe signed Senate Bill 4, a bill that will allow private utilities in Missouri to plan rates based on future costs versus historical costs. This helps utility companies, like Missouri American Water, plan for necessary investments while focusing on rate stability. Built-in projections help safeguard customers from being overcharged if actual costs are lower than estimated. Why future test year is good public policy: Incentivizes greater infrastructure investment Attracts business and makes Missouri more competitive for economic development Aligns Missouri with most other states which use modern rate-setting tools to balance customer protection and investment needs Keeps rates predictable by allowing utilities to invest in new technologies and perform necessary maintenance to improve reliability Excess charges will be refunded to customers if projected costs are overestimated, creating a fairer system where customers only pay for actual, justified expenses Helping communities solve water and wastewater challenges Missouri American Water provides 1 in 4 Missourians with water and/or wastewater services. The team of more than 700 industry professionals serves areas across the state. The company understands that reliable water and wastewater service is critical to community health and prosperity. Acquisition case studies: In 2018, Missouri American Water purchased the water and wastewater systems in the city of Lawson. The city was facing regulatory compliance issues with its wastewater system that would have required a significant rate increase to address. Since the acquisition, several key improvements have been made to the wastewater system in a cost-effective manner, including the addition of ultraviolet disinfection to the treatment process, construction and implementation of a new lift station, and installation of remote monitoring. Approximately 3,000 feet of water mains have been replaced and about 3,500 feet of new water mains have been added. Garden City was facing major compliance challenges for both their water and wastewater systems. Since 2015, they received 27 violations for drinking water from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Critical investments had not been made in an effort to keep rates low. In 2020, more than 67% of Garden City voters supported the ballot measure to sell the water and wastewater systems to make Missouri American Water their trusted water and wastewater provider. Immediately work began in 2021 to maintain regulatory compliance, including improvement of the chemical feed system and cleaning of the wastewater lagoons. With the sale, the city could retire its debt and have significant funds to address additional community needs. here. Missouri American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 1.6 million people. For more, visit
