Latest news with #Burdock
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Virginia Beach, a planned offshore wind energy hub, hosts international conference
Offshore wind professionals from across the world have gathered in Virginia Beach to discuss the current status of the renewable power industry. As part of the 2025 International Partnering Forum, or IPF, the conference brings together developers, elected leaders, public utility officials and others in the offshore wind supply chain for a week of panel discussions. On Tuesday, Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer welcomed guests to the city, which hosts the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project about 27 miles away from the beach. Once finished, more than 170 turbines are slated to generate enough energy to power up to 660,000 homes. The project will help avoid carbon emissions equivalent to 1 million cars each year, according to the company. It's scheduled to be completed in 2026. Dyer said he and other members of city leadership are positioning Virginia Beach to become 'one of the main offshore wind energy hubs' in the United States. 'Just as winds have filled the sails of ships and transported them around the world — since the earliest ages of man — we are now harnessing that energy to provide for local governments, towns, cities, homes and businesses around the world,' Dyer said. 'When you look at the Atlantic Ocean and Virginia Beach, we are a natural fit for offshore wind development. Our mid-Atlantic location places us in the center of the American offshore wind industry. In fact, I'll go so far to say that if you look at Virginia Beach, you're looking at the heart and future of all wind energy in this United States.' Liz Burdock, president and CEO of Oceantic Network, said recent strains on offshore wind have been 'unsettling and unprecedented and deeply unfair.' Since his inauguration, President Donald Trump has put offshore wind in the political crosshairs. At least one project has been issued a stop-work order from the federal government. Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order temporarily halting offshore wind lease sales in federal waters and pausing the issuance of approvals, permits and loans for all wind projects. Burdock said working with Republican lawmakers, like Dyer and Gov. Glenn Youngkin, is crucial to the future of the industry. On Monday, undersea cable company LS Greenlink USA broke ground on its $680 million development in Chesapeake as part of the week's festivities. The 750,000-square-foot plant is expected to create more than 330 full-time jobs. Burdock added that she hopes this week's conference will 'unlock the full force' of the industry's creativity and potential. 'We can bring a new generation online,' Burdock said. 'If there is an energy crisis, it's one of our own making. By holding back offshore wind, our federal government denies the nation a true all-of-the-above energy strategy. If we're allowed to move forward, we could have 10 gigawatts on the grid by the end of the decade and another 10 gigawatts ready to go. That's reliable base load power coming directly into our cities that will actually lower energy bills. Just like it's doing here in Virginia, it will also keep utility bills in check in New York and New England.' Eliza Noe,
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I visited a new Liverpool market and it made me proud to be from the city
In these challenging times, with all the global upheavals, it's easy to fall into a pessimistic mindset. It can seem like societal collapse is just around the corner, particularly if you spend too much time on social media. For anyone feeling this way, I strongly recommend - no, I insist - that you make your way to Stanley Park Market on Wednesday, where you'll see the best of humanity in action. The weekly event in Anfield is back for its second year, running until December. Stanley Park Market first opened its doors in July 2024 for an initial seven-week trial, but due to its popularity and success, it was extended until October. It then returned for a festive edition from November to December. READ MORE: 49 tributes, deaths and funeral notices from the Liverpool ECHO this week READ MORE: Alisson Becker's wife 'cried and suffered' as she issues emotional family update Starting with approximately 50 stalls, the market quickly expanded, offering a wide variety of goods, including fresh produce and clothing. Some traders even reported record-breaking sales. When it reopened on Wednesday (March 19), the Anfield bazaar more than doubled its original size, boasting over 120 stalls from 80 traders. Having decided to visit on opening day, which happened to be a warm and sunny spring afternoon, I was filled with immense pride for Liverpool and its people - and what we can achieve when we work together. The diversity of the different traders becomes immediately apparent as soon as you step into Stanley Park Market. You'll find stalls peddling furniture and fragrances, alongside those offering gifts, books and records, not to mention a plethora of clothing vendors. And let's not forget the dozen or so food and drink stalls. Essentially, there's something for everyone - and impulse buyers will have a field day, particularly when they stumble upon unique traders like 'Mr Fitzpatrick's', purveyor of 28 distinct cordial flavours from Root Beer to Dandelion and Burdock; and 'Greek Olive Oil Direct' which, as the name implies, specialises in olive oil, but also offers Corfu honey, balsamic vinegar, herbs, spices and fig pies. If hunger strikes, you're well catered for with a multitude of options; there's a burger van, a pie stall, a creperie, just to name a few. You can also sample Caribbean cuisine at Greg Falola's 'Eat Up Gud', serving up classics such as goat and yam curry, and jerk chicken - all accompanied by traditional rice and peas. While each vendor at Stanley Park brings their own unique concept, what unites them is their welcoming nature and sense of humour, particularly the distinctive Liverpudlian brand. Each one has a tale to share or a joke to tell, providing a level of human interaction that's becoming increasingly rare on our high streets, as impersonal supermarkets continue to reign supreme. I bumped into Billy Marrat, councillor for the Anfield ward, who summed it up well: "It's going to revitalise the area and bring people together again. There are not many shops in the area anymore which serve fresh meat and fresh veg, so this is fantastic." And he's right. The scarcity of independent butchers, greengrocers, bakeries, and fishmongers is stark. Yet here they all are, congregating under the shadow of Anfield Stadium. Imagine being elderly and living alone, with your social interactions limited to the weekly shop—where you only have to deal with a sour-faced teenager at the checkout (no offence—I used to be a sour-faced teen as well, but I'm in my 20s now). I would look forward to every Wednesday when a trip to Stanley Park Market becomes more than just about buying groceries; it's an opportunity for human connections, a chance for a chat, a smile, and a simple "how are you?" that could brighten your entire week. At the market, there's an infectious sense of hope, optimism, and a community spirit that feels increasingly elusive. The team at Stanley Park Market and Liverpool City Council have worked wonders in bringing this to Anfield, but our region must seize the moment to replicate this energy. We need more regular events such as this. It's high time we champion small business and restore pride in our towns - let's begin with more markets.
