Latest news with #SteveBaker
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Belfast Telegraph
Ex-NI Office minister on life after politics: ‘Employers do the Googling and they don't want me'
Speaking to Politico, Steve Baker, the former NIO minister and member of parliament for Wycombe, said that potential employers are put off hiring him due to his past in politics. Mr Baker called on the Conservative Party to offer employment to ex-MPs in order to ease the transition of former politicians back into civilian life. The ex-minister criticised the current redundancy entitlement of four-months pay that ex-MPs receive as 'nowhere near large enough.' 'If we want MPs to exercise leadership, there has to be some kind of safety net that you fall into if you lose your seat,' he said. During the interview, Mr Baker suggested that Conservative donors could help ease the transition by offering employment to ex-MP's and expressed concern about the quality of the career advice provided by the party. He added that having a public profile from a past life in politics makes getting a new role more difficult. 'What I don't need is: Here's how to apply for a mid-ranking job in a corporate.' 'As soon as I apply, they know who I am, they do the Googling and they don't want me. 'I don't require emotional support from the Conservative Party. If they offered it to me, I'd be extremely disappointed that they had kept money back.' He is calling for redundancy pay of one year's salary in order 'to get us over the horrible process of actually getting a job when you're well-known.' Mr Baker was Conservative MP for Wycombe since 2010, but was one of a series of high-profile Tories to lose their seats in July's election. 'I don't require emotional support from the Conservative Party. If they offered it to me, I'd be extremely disappointed' He was minister of state for Northern Ireland between September 2022, when he was appointed by Liz Truss, and May 2024. The former MP was part of the Eurosceptic wing of conservative party, and made numerous interventions in the debates around Brexit that caused divisions within the conservative party. A self-styled 'hard man of Brexit', in 2022 Mr Baker apologised for some of his behaviour towards Ireland and the EU during the negotiations. He admitted that he and others did not "always behave in a way which encouraged Ireland and the European Union to trust us to accept that they have legitimate interests'. Mr Baker lost his seat to Labour's Emma Reynolds in the most recent general election, suffering a 17.5% vote swing away from him, finishing on 11,444 votes to Mrs Reynolds' 16,035. Speaking in December 2024 to the Irish Times, Mr Baker said he was reluctant to return to Northern Ireland following his time in office, saying 'I would not trust loyalists not to want me dead.' He also said that 'I am embarrassed that Ireland was treated the way it was by the United Kingdom.' "It was wrong. God knows over our history Ireland has been treated badly by the UK. It's f**king shaming.'
Indianapolis Star
17-05-2025
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
Photos: Day one of qualifying for the 109th Indy 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Christine Tannous Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) crashes coming out of the first turn Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Steve Baker/For IndyStar Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) crashes coming out of the first turn Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Steve Baker/For IndyStar Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) crashes coming out of the first turn Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Randy Ballinger/For IndyStar Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) crashes coming out of the first turn Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Steve Baker/For IndyStar Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) crashes coming out of the first turn Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Steve Baker/For IndyStar Steve Baker/For IndyStar Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) crashes coming out of the first turn Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Randy Ballinger/For IndyStar Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) crashes coming out of the first turn Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Steve Baker/For IndyStar Chip Ganassi Racing driver Kyffin Simpson (8) turns laps Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Randy Ballinger/For IndyStar Chip Ganassi Racing driver Scott Dixon (9) turns laps Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Randy Ballinger/For IndyStar A. J. Foyt Enterprises driver David Malukas (4) turns laps Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Steve Baker/For IndyStar Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) crashes coming out of the first turn Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Steve Baker/For IndyStar Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) crashes coming out of the first turn Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Steve Baker/For IndyStar Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) crashes coming out of the first turn Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Steve Baker/For IndyStar Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) crashes coming out of the first turn Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Steve Baker/For IndyStar Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) crashes coming out of the first turn Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Steve Baker/For IndyStar Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) crashes coming out of the first turn Saturday, May 17, 2025, during practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Steve Baker/For IndyStar
Associated Press
11-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
I&M Files Proposal to Acquire Diverse Generation to Meet Future Energy Need
FORT WAYNE, Ind., April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), an American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP) company, has made a filing with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) requesting approval of a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) to acquire the Oregon Clean Energy Center, an existing 870 megawatt (MW) natural gas plant located in Oregon, Ohio. I&M's filing explains the need to acquire the facility, details about the plant, and future operating plans, if approved. Through the CPCN process the IURC will ensure that the proposed plant acquisition is in the public interest and is just and reasonable. The proposal to acquire the Oregon Clean Energy Center and its 870 MW of natural gas-fueled electric generation is one component of I&M's Future Ready plan, which details the resources needed to provide I&M customers reliable and affordable energy today and into the future. 'I&M has established the need for additional electric generation, and we believe the Oregon Clean Energy Center is an important opportunity to further diversify our current generation portfolio and position I&M for future growth,' said Steve Baker, I&M president and chief operating officer. 'It is our responsibility to ensure that our current and future customers have reliable and affordable power.' I&M is currently navigating an unprecedented time in its history. As the company looks ahead, power demand is expected to more than double the Indiana peak from approximately 2,800 MW in 2024 to more than 7,000 MW in the 2030 timeframe. The rapid growth in energy demand provides an opportunity for I&M to reshape the way it serves current customers and those the company will serve decades into the future. The Oregon facility, if approved, will provide a stable source of power to meet the 24 hours per day x 7 days per week operational requirements of our existing customers and the new customers coming on to the I&M system. I&M's current generation portfolio incorporates a diverse mix of resources, including solar, wind, nuclear, coal and hydroelectric units. The company's vision for the future is to implement an 'all of the above' approach to providing a reliable, resilient, and stable electric power system that customers can access affordably. Additional benefits to this approach are that it supports economic development, stable energy costs, and access to new technologies. I&M anticipates a decision from the IURC on the filing in early 2026. The company will submit additional filings to the IURC throughout 2025 to request approval for additional resources that are consistent with the Future Ready Plan. For more information on I&M's Future Ready Plan, visit our website. Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 85% of its energy delivered in 2023 was emission-free. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company's generation portfolio also includes 1,497 MW of coal fueled generation. About American Electric Power (AEP) Our team at American Electric Power is committed to improving our customers' lives with reliable, affordable power. We are investing $54 billion from 2025 through 2029 to enhance service for customers and support the growing energy needs of our communities. Our nearly 16,000 employees operate and maintain the nation's largest electric transmission system with 40,000 line miles, along with more than 225,000 miles of distribution lines to deliver energy to 5.6 million customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation's largest electricity producers with approximately 29,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity. We are focused on safety and operational excellence, creating value for our stakeholders and bringing opportunity to our service territory through economic development and community engagement. Our family of companies includes AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia, West Virginia and Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. AEP is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. For more information, visit News releases and other information about I&M are available at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Indiana Michigan Power
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Indiana utilities want ratepayers to fork out for small nuclear reactors
Indiana legislators are considering multiple bills to promote small modular nuclear reactors, including a controversial provision that would let utilities charge ratepayers for projects that may never be built. Such allowances, referred to as 'cost trackers,' are widely used by utilities to recover early-stage project costs as well as variable or unexpected expenses between rate cases, such as fuel costs or grid repairs. But critics argue that with a technology as untested and expensive as SMRs, utilities could charge customers hundreds of millions of dollars for a reactor before they even file concrete plans to deploy one. At a state House committee hearing last week, supporters of SB 424 argued that Indiana needs nuclear to meet voracious power demand from planned data centers and to reduce emissions. Opponents of the bill argued that regardless of one's opinion on nuclear power, the cost recovery provision unfairly saddles ratepayers with expenses for a nascent and untested technology. 'This bill has absolutely, absolutely nothing to do with one's feelings about nuclear power and where energy is going,' Kerwin Olson, executive director of the Citizens Action Coalition, the state's primary consumer watchdog organization, said during the hearing. 'This has everything to do with who we believe should assume the risk of something that is so risky.' Aerospace manufacturer Rolls-Royce, with a major plant in Indianapolis, is among the companies developing SMRs, but they are still considered years away from deployment. A federally funded SMR project in Idaho was canceled in late 2023, as the company NuScale Power said the cost of building the reactors had soared to over $9 billion. Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) President and Chief Operating Officer Steve Baker said the utility hopes to locate an SMR on the site of a coal plant in Rockport, Indiana, that is scheduled to close by 2028. 'That site checks all the boxes,' he said, noting that the utility has applied for a $50 million federal grant in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority that would be used for permitting and pre-construction costs of an SMR. 'If you think about where the utility industry is headed, you think about customers' desires for sustainable power, you think about the resource adequacy needs that we have on the grid, all roads point you toward nuclear.' Cost trackers allow utilities to recoup dollars as they are being spent rather than wait for the lengthy processes where commissions review and approve rates every few years. At the hearing, Baker said I&M needs this real-time cost recovery throughout the planning process instead of after SMR construction is actually approved or underway. Without this provision, he said, the utility would have to rely on bonds and pass the interest payments on to ratepayers. A 2024 report by the Edison Electric Institute, a utility trade group, said cost trackers have been used or permitted in 38 states, including Indiana. The Edison report notes, 'Cost trackers have been used for many years to recover large volatile costs like those for generation fuels. In recent years, they have also been used to compensate companies for rapidly rising costs such as those related to capital expenditures.' The practice has faced opposition in other states when relied on for constructing large, expensive power plants, but advocates say that such cost recovery for an SMR is especially problematic given the massive and potentially ballooning costs. Duke Energy — which serves Indiana — pushed for a law allowing cost trackers in North Carolina in 2021, while a citizen watchdog group argued the measure could cause massive rate increases. At the March 11 hearing in Indiana, Rep. Matt Pierce — a Democrat who voted against the bill — expressed concern that if the utility spent $100 million investigating the technology and decided not to go forward, the ratepayer would bear the whole burden of the failed project while utility shareholders bore none. 'Is it a problem where a corporation can go do something, and there's no downside if they're making bad decisions?' he asked. Pierce also asked Baker if the utility would object to an amendment saying that funds would be returned to ratepayers if an SMR project was ultimately not pursued. Baker said the utility would not support such an amendment. The chair of the House utilities committee, Republican Rep. Edmond Soliday, said that utilities should be able to keep costs recovered during the planning process even if an SMR is never built, noting the possibility that 'the antinuclear community will kill all these projects.' Baker and Soliday argued that the bill contains safeguards for ratepayers, including that the utility cannot earn a rate of return on the SMR planning costs if the project is canceled, unless certain conditions are met. For example, a utility could still turn a profit if it is needed 'to avoid harm to the public utility and its customers' or if the decision to scrap a planned SMR 'was prudently made for good cause.' Olson railed against these conditions, saying he couldn't see how a utility would be harmed by foregoing profit for an SMR that was never built. 'It's one thing to have a tracker for construction costs when an actual project is planned,' Olson told Canary Media. 'But it's another to basically give utilities a cost tracker to even think about SMRs. That could be hundreds of millions or billions of dollars for something that may never ever happen.' He added that since the recent push for SMRs is driven by energy demand from planned data centers, 'not only are the utilities getting this, they're getting it at the behest of these big tech billionaires.' Under the Indiana bill heard March 11 and a larger bill (HB 1007) with identical language about cost recovery, a utility must file with the state Utility Regulatory Commission to confirm an estimate of expected costs to be recovered. But the utility can recoup costs beyond that if the commission decides the overruns are 'reasonable, necessary, and prudent in supporting the construction, purchase, or lease' of SMRs. 'Reasonable and prudent are my least favorite words in the English dictionary, written by lawyers for lawyers,' said Olson. Indiana Conservation Voters' community and government affairs manager, Delaney Barber Kwon, said during the hearing that her organization also opposes the bill. 'Rate recovery up front without a guarantee of project completion puts Hoosiers at serious risk,' she said, adding that other opportunities like grants, tax credits, and public-private partnerships are already available to utilities that want to develop SMRs. The cost tracker bill (SB 424) passed the Indiana Senate 34–14 on Feb. 3 and passed the House committee on utilities, energy, and telecommunications with a 10–3 vote at the recent hearing. HB 1007 — aimed at incentivizing data center development and including the same cost recovery provisions as SB 424 — would also create a tax credit for SMR development. That bill passed the House on Feb. 13 and is now in a Senate committee. A separate bill (SB 423) would allow two SMR pilot projects in the state and similarly allow utilities to recover costs for those projects before they are actually approved. That bill passed the Senate on Feb. 3 and is now in the same House committee that recently passed the cost tracker bill. Yet another bill before the House utilities committee prevents local government entities from blocking construction of new generation at the sites of closed power plants or mines (dubbed 'energy production zones'); however, it excludes wind and solar. That means local governments could not prevent an SMR or natural gas plant on these sites but could block wind or solar. At the March 11 hearing, Indiana Secretary of Energy and Natural Resources Suzanne Jaworowski said SMRs are needed to power data centers, industries moving back to the U.S., and 'electrification of our culture,' including the increase in electric vehicles. 'This is proven technology that the U.S. created, the Department of Energy is developing, that is being deployed other places around the world,' she said. 'Russia has a floating reactor. China has SMRs.' China launched the world's first SMR in late 2023; a floating nuclear power plant in the Russian Arctic went online in 2020. 'This is a great time to be able to start developing the infrastructure to support SMRs,' Jaworowski said.
BBC News
05-03-2025
- BBC News
Lincolnshire stonemason 'shocked they stole from a gravedigger'
A stonemason was left "in shock" when his mini-digger was stolen. Steve Baker, who owns Richard King Memorials, said the digger and a trailer had been taken from his workshop in Long Sutton, broke into the compound through a fence in the early hours of Tuesday morning. "It's just a bit of a shock that they chose to steal from a gravedigger," Mr Baker said. "It was quite emotional. It's not nice to have anything stolen from anybody, regardless of how big the impact is, or how little."He said the theft "just seems a bit immoral"."I think everyone's as equally in shock that they've come to a place that deals with bereaved families and tried to inconvenience them," he Baker said customers would not be directly affected because his team would dig graves by hand until a new mechanical digger manually digging graves would take about three times longer. "Ultimately, we're still prepared, committed and capable of meeting all of our services so there's no worries for any families," Mr Baker said. "We're very fortunate that we are able to continue and have the skills here to get around it."Lincolnshire Police said it was investigating the theft. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
