Latest news with #WilliamWalsh
Irish Examiner
30-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
€19bn bonanza in Ireland's sustainable energy transition
Fulfilling Ireland's energy transition could result in up to €19 billion of capital expenditure annually by 2030. A report by SEAI identified the significant economic opportunity presented by the sustainable energy transition and outlined a number of key recommendations for how policymakers and industry can support Irish businesses to take advantage of this opportunity. 'Ireland can reap the economic benefits of a fossil fuel-free economy and society,' said William Walsh, CEO of SEAI. 'This report identifies the growth potential of 13 key technologies for the sustainable energy transition, and the supply chain areas where Irish businesses have potential opportunities to benefit from this growth.' He highlighted that there are potential opportunities for many businesses, similar to those exhibiting at the yearly SEAI Energy Show, to benefit from Ireland's energy transition. 'At SEAI, we are committed to supporting businesses across the Irish energy supply chain to deliver both a sustainable energy future and a healthy, future-proof economy for Ireland. Sustainable energy is good for business and good for climate.' The report identifies the importance of collaboration between the public and private sector in meeting our energy transition goals and sets out six key recommendations. These include: Developing skills and certifications — establish targeted training programs and accreditation frameworks to develop the necessary skills and certifications for installers and energy experts. Leveraging R&D capabilities — utilise Ireland's strong R&D capabilities to advance emerging renewable technologies. Promote sustainable practices — encourage businesses to adopt sustainable practices such as green procurement and comply with EU directives and legislation for sustainable and responsible business. Focus on high-value markets — effectively harness the opportunities available by prioritising high-value markets such as energy-efficient construction, sustainable biomass heating, electric vehicles, and smart grids. In addition, the report highlights the potential market size for a selection of key sustainable energy technologies in Ireland, the EU and globally, in addition to areas of the supply chain where Irish businesses in the manufacturing, construction and services sectors could capture a share of the market. Ultimately, the purpose of the report is to initiate discussions between government agencies and departments, industry and other stakeholders on how to harness the sustainable energy supply transition to both reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and stimulate economic growth, exports, foreign direct investment and jobs. Structured around five technology areas that will be critical to meeting Ireland's greenhouse gas mitigation targets — it underscores renewable electricity generation, energy storage and grid balancing, low-carbon transport, energy in buildings and energy in industry. 'What this report highlights is that this energy transition will deliver for both our planet, and our economy, creating significant opportunities for Irish businesses in the supply chain where Ireland is well positioned to capitalise,' said Darragh O'Brien, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy . 'The Programme for Government is committed to Ireland's climate targets and to the energy transition which will lead to a more secure, sustainable and affordable energy future for our citizens and businesses.'
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
From the Statesman archives: Walsh family keeps popping up in compelling Austin history
Some family names pop up with regularity in the American-Statesman archives. Walsh is one of them. In this column on April 20, members of the Walsh family were recorded as selling their land in what became Davenport Ranch in the Westlake area to Osceola Heard Davenport, a wealthy Rio Grande Valley widow of an oilman. That 1947 sale was part of the background for a story about the devastating 1961 Davenport Ranch brush fire, which still haunts some residents of that rugged country. More on Austin history: From the Statesman archives: April 1961 wildfire devastated Davenport Ranch Before that, on Feb. 24, this column covered the disastrous collapse of the Austin Dam during a Colorado River flood in 1900. Much of the land on either side of the dam, in what is now Tarrytown, Westlake and Davenport Ranch, belonged to the Walsh family, who manufactured lime from the limestone over fires fueled by the abundant mountain junipers in the area. And on March 23, the city of Austin honored the family patriarch, William Walsh (1837-1908) with an interpretive marker at Walsh Boat Landing. This scenic spot on Lake Austin that is known for its fishing, boating and picnicking was originally dedicated in William's honor in 1957. "William Walsh grew up in Limerick and County Kerry, Ireland, but left his home country during the Great Famine," the new historical marker reads. "Following several years of service in the British Navy, young William came to the U.S. just before the Civil War and joined the Union Navy. Afterward, he assisted in building federal forts in Texas, including Fort McKavett and Fort Clark, among others." Walsh and his descendants produced lime for structures throughout Texas at lime kilns located in Austin, Round Rock and McNeil. Many readers will remember signs for the Round Rock White Lime Company. It was one of the largest lime manufacturers in Texas during its peak operations. In addition, Walsh lent his name to a settlement near McNeil which has not appeared on regular highway maps more than 80 years, according to the Handbook of Texas Online. "In the late 1800s, his company supplied stone and lime to buildings, including the Texas State Capitol, St. Edward's University and St. Mary's Cathedral in Austin," the marker reads. "Known for its purity, Walsh's lime won the Gold Medal at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair." Were those news narratives — fire, flood and a new historical marker — not enough, several members of the Walsh family contacted me with some more amazing stories, some of them quite sad. "William Walsh had lived and processed lime at his place above the dam since 1874, before that at Mt. Bonnell," writes Chris Walsh. "Family stories say he testified in front of the City Council about the unsound nature of the dam. He suggested relieving pressure by irrigating downstream." While no family members were among the reported dead or missing, the conditions after the flood prompted the Walshes to move. "Sure enough the dam broke and the family stories abound about the unhealthy conditions along the river after the break," Chris Walsh continues. "One child died of typhoid, another died of tuberculosis, and with the death of the third child, they moved up to their quarries to around Round Rock. Much of the family remained in Austin." Walsh Boat Landing was the site of the family's homestead both before and after the dam collapse in 1900. "William Walsh continued conducting business and attending church in Austin until his death in 1908," writes Chuck Munson, another history-minded family member. "Much of the Tarrytown property stayed in the family but the Depression and subdivisions eroded most of the holdings until my grandfather, Edward Walsh, worked with then Mayor Tom Miller to deed about four and one half acres to the city in 1957. "The city determined the property would be ideal for boat operations on the lake." Send your tips or questions about Austin history to mbarnes@ This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Walsh family of Austin and Round Rock left deep imprint on the area
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
NTSB investigating after SEPTA regional rail train catches fire in Delaware County
The Brief The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating after a regional rail train caught fire Thursday night in Delaware County. 325 passengers were on board the SEPTA train when it caught fire after leaving Center City, on its way to Wilmington. RIDLEY PARK, Pa. - Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are probing a fire on a SEPTA rail car in Delaware County Thursday night, causing the evacuation of over 300 people. Two blackened SEPTA cars sit idle at a North Philly rail yard and are the focus of intense interest from investigators after a fire on the train traveling south to Wilmington. What we know It was 6 p.m. Thursday on the six-car train heading out of the Crum Lynne station to Delaware when passengers smelled smoke, and the train was stopped just beyond the station. SEPTA said the fire came from under the first car with the spreading flames destroying it and heavily damaging the second. SEPTA said the 325 passengers were evacuated without injury. It was the SilverLiner 4 cars, placed on the rails in the mid-70s and making up the bulk of SEPTA's Regional Rail fleet, which burned. What they're saying William Walsh waited at the Crum Lynn Station Friday afternoon in Delaware County for his daily commute. He said, "When I saw it, I was like wow - missed that. I heard a couple of people talking about it on the train coming back." SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said, "The system is safe. We have no indication anything happened last night that is impacting other rail cars that we have in service." Dig deeper The blaze drew investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board to the city to inspect the cars and meet with SEPTA officials Friday afternoon. The images of flames leaping from a rail car window appear at a critical time for SEPTA as it works to attract riders who left during the pandemic and as the governor proposes $165 million in new funding. What's next William Walsh said he's sticking with SEPTA. He said, "If anything I think they'd be a little bit more on top of their safety now this happened."
