Latest news with #Millstone
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Put a spring in your step this season with the Millstone at Mellor
Treat yourself this spring to a visit to Thwaites' award-winning inn, The Millstone at Mellor. From spring-inspired Sunday lunches to a two-night getaway with friends, now's the time to embrace the longer more of your weekend and spend quality time with the one you love with the inn's Sunday night getaway package. Check in from 3pm and relax in the lounge, before enjoying a drink or two from the bar prior to your delicious evening meal. Once fully relaxed, retire to one of the inn's boutique bedrooms for a great night's sleep. Wake up feeling refreshed the next morning and set out to explore the beautiful area that surrounds Mellor. Small details make a big difference, which is why Thwaites ensures every room comes with a few little extras, including deliciously crumbly biscuits and fresh milk for a morning brew. (Image: Thwaites Inns)Based on two people sharing, prices for a one-night Sunday B&B getaway start from £135 per room* *Subject to availability and prices may vary. Dog-friendly rooms As dog lovers, the teams across Thwaites' inns take care of canine companions from the moment they check-in to the moment they 'wag' their tail goodbye. The inn has a dedicated number of dog friendly room and beloved pets receive their very own comfy bed as well as an exciting 'Waggy Tails' welcome pack – complete with food bowl and dog biscuits*. The Millstone at Mellor has recently won the accolade for 'Dog Friendly Business of the Year' at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2024. *£20 charge. Subject to availability and welcome packs may vary. (Image: Thwaites Inns) The Millstone has a range of menus available. Whether you want to sink your teeth into the tandoori chicken, savour grilled sea trout or just indulge your sweet tooth with a lemon posset, you'll find something that takes your fancy. For hungry little eaters with big appetites, they also have an action-packed children's for things to do in Lancashire? For those who enjoy walking, explore the Tolkien Trail, visit Brockholes Nature Reserve, or indulge in retail therapy at Clitheroe Market. (Image: Thwaites Inns)About Thwaites Established in 1807, Lancashire-based, family-owned Thwaites boasts a unique collection of award-winning inns, hotels, and spa hotels across England. Spring adventures await you across Thwaites' portfolio of four- and five-star inns -
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Connecticut bill aims to cut electric costs, but may stifle clean energy
Connecticut lawmakers are touting newly introduced legislation as a way to lower out-of-control power bills, but opponents say it could devastate the state's renewable energy progress. Provisions of the complex, 80-page bill would scale back incentives for residential solar and make nuclear power eligible to earn renewable energy credits, directing essential funds away from other types of clean energy developments. 'It's a direct attack on the growth of solar and wind in Connecticut, an attack on new resources that reduce pollution,' said Chris Phelps, state director of advocacy group Environment Connecticut. Connecticut's high electricity rates — its residential prices were the second highest in the country in February — have been the subject of much discussion among lawmakers this session. Many of these conversations have, explicitly or implicitly, revolved around the largely unfounded notion taking root across New England that clean energy programs are driving high prices. That belief is the basis of some provisions in SB 1560, a sprawling piece of legislation introduced earlier this month by Democratic Sen. John Fonfara, chair of the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee. Fonfara, who announced his plan accompanied by legislators from both sides of the aisle, claims the bill would create immediate savings for Connecticut consumers. At a hearing for the bill in mid-April, dozens of people and organizations testified, some in support of the lower costs the bill promises, many opposed to the dangers they say it poses to renewable energy. The proposed legislation includes several sections that do not explicitly address clean energy. It calls for the creation of an in-state procurement authority to watch the power markets and, ideally, buy electricity at better prices. The bill would also eliminate the sales tax on electricity purchased by commercial and industrial users, and mandate an expansion of variable time-of-use rates, which nudge households to use less energy during high-demand times by raising the price of electricity. Renewable energy advocates, however, are focused on three elements they claim would completely undermine state support for clean energy and energy-efficiency programs without creating any overall savings for the public. The first measure that worries advocates is a small wording change that would define existing nuclear power generation in the state — a category that includes only the Millstone Power Station — as a Class I renewable energy source. This designation would allow Millstone to sell renewable energy credits (RECs) as part of the state's renewable portfolio standard. Under the standard, utilities must buy RECs to offset a certain percentage of the power they sell. That proportion rises over time: This year, for example, Connecticut utilities must procure enough renewable energy to meet 30% of their power sales; next year, that bar jumps to 32%. By encouraging a market for renewable energy, this requirement lowers the emissions from Connecticut's power supply. Plus, renewable energy developers can use revenue from selling RECs to finance new projects. If Millstone were allowed to sell Class I RECs, it could do so at much lower prices than other clean energy sources because the nuclear plant is already built and running without this added financial support, said Francis Pullaro, president of renewable energy nonprofit RENEW Northeast. A flood of cheap credits from Millstone would lower the market price for RECs across the board. While utilities could pass those savings on to customers, advocates warn that REC prices would almost certainly drop so much that they no longer provide enough revenue to renewable energy developers to support new projects. There would also be little need for solar or wind RECs in the market if Millstone were allowed to sell credits. In 2023, the plant generated 33% of the power consumed in Connecticut, while utilities only needed to meet 26% of their total energy sales with renewable energy. This dynamic could imperil existing renewable energy operations that count on REC revenue, and prevent new projects from penciling out, Pullaro said. The effect would be to render the renewable portfolio standard essentially meaningless, he said. 'By doing this you're effectively repealing the [renewable portfolio standard] because it's no longer going to be available to incentivize new developments,' he said. '[The nuclear plant is] already built and doesn't need RPS revenue. You won't have any renewable resource able to compete with that.' Another major issue advocates have flagged in the bill is a proposed change to how homeowners with solar panels are compensated when their systems generate extra power that flows onto the grid, a process called net metering. The legislation would allow homeowners to receive credit only for the supply of excess power they generate, and not for the costs of distribution or transmission, which are currently part of the compensation calculations. The rationale for this change stems from a concern that customers without solar will find themselves footing the bill for compensating households with solar. The new rule would make rooftop solar 'unrealistic' for most homeowners, Phelps said, but wouldn't make much of a difference for everybody else. There is just far too little solar deployed in Connecticut to create the kind of cost shift the bill is trying to avoid, advocates said. In 2024, just over 4% of the electricity consumed in the state was solar, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. 'We in Connecticut have relatively little solar compared to other New England states,' said Bernard Pelletier, vice president of People's Action for Clean Energy, a statewide advocacy group. 'This would just make us have less.' The third area of concern for advocates is the bill's proposal to eliminate the public benefits charge from customers' power bills. That's a fee that helps pay for energy-efficiency programs, a state clean energy fund, assistance to low-income customers, mandated nuclear power purchases, and other energy-related public policy programs. The legislation would create a Green Bond Fund that would borrow money to pay these costs, removing them from monthly bills and spreading out the financial impact over the bond repayment period. Many advocates, however, worry that this approach would result in less certain funding for the energy-efficiency and clean energy programs currently supported by the public benefits charge. As outlined in the legislation, the bond fund would be able to spend up to $800 million annually, yet the expenses for programs included in the public benefits charge were $868 million in 2023 and $1 billion in 2024. The bond fund 'would be unlikely to consistently cover the costs of these programs, and it is unclear how and when decisions would be made regarding funding levels for each program,' Katie Dykes, the state's commissioner of energy and environmental protection, said in testimony filed with the legislature. The Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee voted favorably on the bill last week, and it is now expected to go to the Energy and Technology Committee for further consideration and likely amendment. When that happens, Phelps hopes legislators leave behind the portions that could undermine renewable energy progress. 'While I appreciate the rhetorical support for clean energy, the policy details of this bill would really take a huge step backwards,' he said.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'We have to look to alternatives': Could RI buy nuclear power to keep energy costs down?
PROVIDENCE – State lawmakers are looking to open the door for Rhode Island Energy to sign a long-term contract for nuclear power in a bid to lower electric rates and meet climate goals. While the electricity generated by nuclear reactors in New England has been an integral part of the region's energy mix for decades, Rhode Island's largest utility has never made a long-term commitment to buy output from them. But the change in the political landscape that has come with a new administration in Washington, D.C., among other factors, has made nuclear power a more attractive option to the company. The Trump administration's crackdown on offshore wind development has left Rhode Island Energy and other utilities scrambling to find alternative sources of affordable, zero-carbon power that would allow them to comply with state clean energy mandates. 'We are constantly looking for everything that we can,' said Rhode Island Energy president Greg Cornett. 'The timing of this is more important because of where things stand with the offshore wind industry.' Of interest to the company are supplies from one of the two nuclear power plants that remain in New England: Millstone Power Station, the 2,100-megawatt facility operated by Dominion Energy in Waterford, Connecticut. Contracts that the plant signed with a pair of utilities in Connecticut are expiring in 2029 and Rhode Island Energy expects the process to find new buyers for the facility's energy could start as early as the end of this year. Massachusetts amended its long-term contracting law for renewable energy last fall to clear the way for utilities in that state to buy nuclear power. Legislation recently introduced in the General Assembly would make a similar change to Rhode Island law. The proposal comes at a delicate time for Rhode Island Energy. Electric rates have remained relatively high after spiking two and a half years ago, and a cold winter that drove up usage has left many customers fed up. More than 180 of them showed up at state offices last week for what would usually have been a routine hearing on one of the company's twice-yearly rate changes. Cornett acknowledged the frustration and, while being careful not to overpromise on the benefits of nuclear, said he believes it may help with costs over the long term. 'If we don't believe it would be a savings for our customers, we won't enter it,' he said of a contract with Millstone. Sen. David Tikoian and Rep. Joseph Solomon, lead sponsors of the nuclear bill, both cited cost savings in explaining why they introduced it. 'One of the biggest complaints I'm hearing is the cost of energy,' said Solomon, a Warwick Democrat. 'We have to look to alternatives.' But projecting savings is difficult. Right now, the two utilities in Connecticut, Eversource and Avangrid subsidiary United Illuminating Co., are paying Millstone owner Dominion Energy about 5 cents a kilowatt hour under 10-year contracts that went into effect in 2019. And while those agreements saved money in 2022 and other years when the price of power from natural gas-fired generators was higher, they've also saddled ratepayers with many millions of dollars of above-market costs when gas prices were lower, according to reports from Connecticut media. Tikoian acknowledged the uncertainty, saying, "If the utility can't get attractive pricing for ratepayers, then they don't have to proceed." Cornett said he expects prices in any new contracts with Millstone to be higher than current wholesale rates, driven up in part by demand from data centers, but he said that the agreements could still lead to savings down the line. Natural gas prices in New England are already higher on average than those in the rest of the nation and they could go up as electric usage increases. If the federal blockade breaks on offshore wind, contract prices for that source of power could also come in higher, making nuclear potentially more desirable. Just like in Massachusetts, the Rhode Island legislation adds nuclear as an option under the state's long-term contracting law for renewable energy. Although nuclear is not renewable, it is a clean source of power that doesn't produce planet-warming greenhouse gases. In that sense, it fits in with the goals of the Act on Climate, state law that requires Rhode Island to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Cornett said it also makes sense to consider amending the law to open up public policy discussions about nuclear in the General Assembly, and later, if a contract were to move forward, before the state Public Utilities Commission. One area of contention is sure to be language in the bill that would allow Rhode Island Energy to seek remuneration for signing long-term contracts under the law. As the statute is currently written, the utility is allowed to seek a payment of up to 1% of the value of any contract only through the end of next year. The legislation removes that sunset provision while still requiring final approval from the Public Utilities Commission for any incentives. Rhode Island Energy has long argued that carrying what can be decades-long power contracts on its books is a risk that credit rating agencies may frown upon. If there were an increase in borrowing costs, it would hurt the company's bottom line, the thinking goes. But while the Public Utilities Commission awarded an incentive for the Block Island Wind Farm contract, it has more recently frowned upon remuneration and there's no indication that the commission's stance has changed. Paying the utility what some see as nothing more than bonus payments has been a contentious subject in the State House, dividing the House and Senate in 2022 when the issue was raised in regard to new offshore wind contracts. In the end, the two chambers agreed on a compromise: remuneration was set at up to 1%, but a deadline of Dec. 31, 2026 was put in place for any offshore wind projects that qualify. By the time Rhode Island Energy went out to bid for new contracts, it had decided against seeking an incentive. Sen. Dawn Euer, the Newport Democrat who led the fight against remuneration three years ago, said there's still no justification for paying extra money to the utility. The company is governed by state regulations that already reward it a profit incentive, she said. 'I think there is zero risk because they are by definition too big to fail,' she said. 'Their costs are covered by ratepayers.' Tikoian and Solomon said the remuneration language could change. "I wouldn't be surprised if that falls off when the bill passes," Solomon said. There are larger questions in play that explain why Massachusetts and now Rhode Island policymakers are looking at contracts for nuclear power. Not so long ago, New England had four operating nuclear power stations. Vermont Yankee closed in 2014 in the face of a string of problems that included a crumbling cooling tower. The Pilgrim plant in Massachusetts followed in 2019, its owner citing high operating costs and low wholesale prices driven down by cheap natural gas. The 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan also didn't help efforts to keep either plant going. The closures have left Millstone and Seabrook Station in New Hampshire as the only two remaining nuclear facilities in the region and the share of power supplied to the six New England states from nuclear has dropped from 29% to 24%, according to the nonprofit that manages the regional power grid. Natural gas-fired plants and renewables have made up the difference. But if either of the two remaining nuclear stations were to close it would mean a huge gap in supplies of dependable, around-the-clock power. Renewables may not be able to make up the shortfall, at least in the near term without viable battery storage projects. As for natural gas, many believe New England is already overdependent on the fossil fuel, which is responsible for more than half of the region's power generation, and then there are the emissions issues. So keeping carbon-free nuclear power flowing is important to the region and, in regard to Millstone, other states are now showing a willingness to share the responsibility with Connecticut to ensure it stays in operation. Euer agreed that Millstone's operation is probably good for New England. The Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources too lent credence to the idea, saying in a statement that it's interested in working with neighboring states on plans to reduce emissions that include solar, offshore wind, hydropower and nuclear. Current events are only reinforcing the need to reconsider options for clean energy in New England. Besides what's happening with offshore wind, President Trump's tariff threats and responses in Canada to dial up the costs of hydropower delivered to New England and other parts of the U.S. have raised uncomfortable questions about the vulnerability of power supplies that the region counts on. For Cornett, it means ensuring that all options are on the table. 'It's going to take all of us to really work together to find the right middle ground because the landscape as I sit here is very different from even nine months ago,' he said. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Nuclear energy could be on the table for RI. Would it save ratepayers money?
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Get your toes tapping at these 5 Bolton pubs with live music
Want to get your toes tapping with a pint in hand this weekend? What better way to let your hair down than a trip to the pub with some live music to keep you entertained? Bolton offers lots of regular live music in its pubs and if you're wondering which to visit next, look no further. Here are five Bolton pubs that offer live music for you to enjoy. Enjoy a variety of musical nights at Ye Olde Man & Scythe with everything from their Open Mic Nights and local singers and musicians. While Friday and Saturday nights are a great time for a bit of music, the pub also offers some live music during the week. Customers have praised the pub's jukebox on Google Reviews with one writing: 'Cracking little pub with a good selection of ciders. Great staff and excellent music from the jukebox'. Another shared: 'Great pub strong ciders, great jukebox. Loved it'. Live music at this pub is a regular occurrence with its website explaining: 'Prepare to have your socks rocked off as we showcase the best talent in town! 'From soulful singers to mind-blowing bands, we've got it all lined up to make your Fridays unforgettable. 'Plus, we also have a live band night on selected Saturdays!' On Google Reviews, one customer commented: 'Good night excellent staff and live music what more could you want ,very clean staff very fast at clean up tables'. With two red heart emojis, this person shared: 'Lovely food and great service along with live music!!!' This pub has 'live music at the weekend' so you can let your hair down after a long week whatever you've been up to. Its website added: 'Perfect for anyone looking for a night out in Bolton town centre, The Millstone, is quaint yet bursting with character. 'Situated on crown street just off the main pub strip, this pub provides all the entertainment you would need.' The pub has been praised on Google Reviews by customers who have enjoyed the pub as well as its private function room used for parties. One person said: 'My sister had her wedding reception at the function room here on Saturday and the bar owners and also bar staff was so friendly and very accommodating from start to finish. The pub really made a special day that extra special.. 'A lovely family run pub and a clean and very spacious function room suitable for all kinds of events and we will definitely return for future events, thank you all at the Millstone!' Another commented: 'Superb old style pub 'Large function room to the lower rear which has its own w.c and bar... Friendly staff...' The Alma Inn describes itself as 'Bolton's Best Rock, Metal, Punk Pub and Venue' on its Facebook page and it has posted its next music event lineup. On Saturday, March 15, customers can expect 'an awesome heavy rock/alternative line up' with Bad Smell, Red Heathers and CLKWRK all performing. One visitor took to Google Reviews to say: 'Absolutely essential waypoint on any alternative/metal/ rock/ punk bands touring circuit. 'This is a venue that knows it's clientele and it's audience and delivers. Can't wait to come back here! 'Great selection of beers, lagers and ciders too!' Another said: 'This is a well run pub with live music many nights. Niche bar for like minded people. Open mike some days of the week.' Recommended reading: Popular Irish pub to open in Northern Quarter with £2.50 pints Pub with 'friendly atmosphere' where 'everyone makes you feel welcome' Little-known Wetherspoon pub rules - dogs, vaping, entry fees and dress code This pub sees 'regular bands performing during the weekend' who play on the 'custom built Hogarths stage.' There is also an option to book karaoke if you're up for it. One customer at Hogarths shared their experience on Google Reviews: 'Great night, great atmosphere, good entertainment from both artist and landlord'. Another commented: 'Great pub with some excellent bands on at the weekend.'
CBC
12-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
Ontario opposition parties promise more rent control. Here's what Hamilton, Niagara voters think
Social Sharing All three of Ontario's main opposition parties vow to expand rent control — a promise that would give voters on fixed incomes like Terri Millstone peace of mind. For three years, the 71-year-old St. Catharines retiree and her partner have been renting a townhouse built after 2018. That means, under Ontario rules, her landlord can increase rent by any amount. "We are at his mercy," Millstone told CBC Hamilton. "We have no guarantee as seniors that we will always be able to afford it." So far, she's been able to take the annual increases in stride, but sees how other residents in the Niagara region are struggling — something she's keenly aware of ahead of voting in the Feb. 27 provincial election. Millstone said she also wants to see more provincial investments in social supports so people can find stability in their lives and afford housing, rather than the government trying to spur developers to build more homes or supply them at below-market rent. "We're trying to convince developers, who are in a profit business, to give away something — that's not going to happen," Millstone said. "It's just absolutely crazy making to me." After Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford was first elected in 2018, he rolled back rent controls on all units built or occupied after Nov. 15 of that year in an effort to encourage developers to construct more purpose-built rentals. The results were mixed, with an initial spurt of activity followed by stagnation amid the COVID-19 pandemic, high inflation rates and a labour shortage. 'I live in fear,' says Hamilton renter Recently, rent prices have decreased across Ontario — down 5.2 per cent in January compared to the year before, according to But Ontario continues to have the second highest average monthly rent at $2,329, slightly less than B.C. As of January, the average rent in St. Catharines was $1,860 and in Hamilton $1,916, the website says. In an effort to make renting more affordable, Ontario New Democrats, Liberals and Greens all pledge to expand rent control for new builds. The NDP and Greens also want to limit the amount landlords can increase rent between tenants. Marnie Schurter, who lives on Hamilton Mountain, said she's intent on staying in her rent-controlled apartment as long as possible. Retired and living on a limited budget, she pays $937 a month, well below market rent. She spoke to CBC Hamilton at an ACORN rally outside city hall last week. She co-chairs the tenant advocacy group's Mountain chapter and said she's fighting to stop landlords from being allowed to "jack up prices." "I live in fear that maybe my building will be taken over by a landlord that decides to renovate" and evict tenants in the process, Schurter said. "I can't afford market price." She hopes the next provincial government will improve proceedings at the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB), where both parties go to solve disputes, and bolster tenant rights to stop illegal evictions. Schurter said she also wants landlords to be held more accountable for building conditions "so people don't have to live in hell holes because the landlord is too greedy to take care of them." Chris Erie, who also attended the rally and rents in downtown Hamilton, voiced similar concerns and called for the province to step up beyond sending out rebate cheques to all Ontario residents. "If they want our vote, do something," she said. "Don't hand out $200 cheques and expect us to be happy." What political parties say they'll do for renters Here's what party representatives or leaders have promised so far: PCs: Have held rental increase guideline at 2.5 per cent for last two years — below average inflation. (The guideline is the amount landlords are allowed to increase rent annually on rent-controlled units without having to apply to the LTB.) Taken steps to "make life easier, stabler and more predictable for tenants and landlords alike." "Lay groundwork" for long-term housing supply growth. Liberals: Introduce phased-in rent control. Ensure LTB resolves disputes within two months. Establish an emergency support fund for renters to avoid evictions in financial emergencies. NDP: Expand rent control to include units built after 2018 and between tenancies. End above-guideline rent increases. "Beef up" rules to protect tenants from renovictions, demovictions and wrongful evictions. Build or acquire at least 300,000 affordable rental homes. Green Party: Expand rent control to all buildings, including those built after 2018. Reinstate vacancy control to limit rent increases between tenancies. Increase requirements for landlords looking to renovict tenants. Ensure buildings with six or more units that are to be demolished are replaced with similar housing. Create "rental registry" maintained by the LTB.
