Latest news with #Woolgar
CBC
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
N.L. Tesla owners say their choice of car doesn't reflect their politics
A St. John's Tesla owner says she feels caught up in the backlash against the Elon Musk-owned vehicle manufacturer, even though her choice of car doesn't reflect her politics. Lisa Woolgar bought her Tesla about three years ago, and she said her experience has been a smooth one — until about a month ago, when another driver stuck up their middle finger at her while driving on the highway. "I remember saying to my passenger, 'am I driving like an idiot or is this just not right?'" Woolgar told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show. Woolgar said it wasn't a one-off incident, either. "I'm getting lots of hard stares and fingers out the window, like, aggressively. Other people ... making me feel like I'm doing something wrong. It took me a hot minute to figure it out," she said. Woolgar believes the incidents aren't regular road rage or a reflection of her driving — she believes they stem from anger toward Elon Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump WATCH | This Tesla owner says she's getting caught in the Elon Musk backlash: Tesla owner says she's not making a political statement, she just really loves her car 9 minutes ago Duration 3:44 Lisa Woolgar has been getting a lot of dirty looks lately from other drivers. Woolgar finally clued in that it's likely because she's behind the wheel of a Tesla. The CBC's Darryl Roberts went for a ride to talk about the politics behind her ride. Woolgar said the car she drives doesn't reflect her political beliefs. "These things don't even make sense. It's not sensible. Obviously, I didn't buy the car to make a political statement," she said. Tesla protests spread Musk has become a fixture of the Trump administration, leading the charge to slash the U.S. federal workforce through his Department of Government Efficiency. The mass firings have sown chaos across the U.S. government. Some dismissals in areas like nuclear safety and defence have since been reversed. Musk's team has also attempted to access federal databases, raising concerns over data privacy for both workers and U.S. citizens. Musk's role in the Trump administration has been bad news for Tesla, which has seen a slump in sales and on the stock market this year. Demonstrators have organized "Tesla Takedown" protests across North America and Europe, in response to Musk's actions. Last week, 80 Tesla vehicles were vandalized at a dealership in Hamilton. 2 Teslas set on fire in Calgary this week, police say IN PHOTOS | Tesla protests here and abroad Justin Whelan, another St. John's Tesla driver, said he hasn't experienced any backlash over his vehicle so far. Whelan said he supports the right to protest, but after hearing stories about smashed windows and slashed tires, he's worried about what could happen. "It's a crime. You know, you can't go as far as that," he said. Whelan said he bought his Tesla three years ago, and his choice was based on his lengthy commute and the price of gas. "I didn't really look at, you know, who owns the company with their political stance and things like that. For me, it made sense to buy the car for myself," he said. Some Tesla owners are getting rid of their cars, or getting bumper stickers telling other drivers that their choice of car doesn't necessarily reflect their political beliefs. Woolgar said she's getting a bumper sticker asking other drivers to "be nice." And despite the controversy, Woolgar said she isn't considering getting rid of her Tesla — and doesn't regret her decision to buy one. "I regret the political situation, maybe, that's happening in North America, but I don't regret buying my Tesla."
CBC
24-03-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
Tesla owner says she's not making a political statement, she just really loves her car
Lisa Woolgar has been getting a lot of dirty looks lately from other drivers. Woolgar finally clued in that it's likely because she's behind the wheel of a Tesla. The CBC's Darryl Roberts went for a ride to talk about the politics behind her ride.
CBC
23-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
N.L. government looking to sell idle Buchans energy plant
The Newfoundland and Labrador government is looking to offload a long-idle power plant in central Newfoundland, and says it's hearing interest from a renewable energy company that plans to double the plant's former output. Industry, Energy and Technology Minister Andrew Parsons said the Buchans generation station, which hasn't been operational since 2014, can be put to better use. "It's sitting there idle and the conversation we're about to have is what we intend, or hope to see, done with it," Parsons said. Last week the province issued a non-binding letter of intent to a consortium, which includes Qalipu First Nation, Qalipu Holdings LP, Angler Solutions and St. John's-based renewable power company Growler Energy. Growler Energy CEO Robert Woolgar says he's worked in the energy sector for 30 years and is familiar with many of the province's assets, but Buchans stands out in particular because it's the community where his wife is from. "Growler — being a renewable energy company and this being a smaller plant — there could be a spot there for us to help support and basically get the plant back operational," said Woolgar. Taking over a plant with existing infrastructure is enticing, he adds: these days, there's more interest in decarbonization and electrification, especially at a time when the public utility is looking to increase its energy capacity. "Having these resources there that really just need somebody to come in and basically get them operational again, that adds value," said Woolgar. Much of the necessary plant infrastructure is already in place, he said, including the dam and reservoir. "You're not creating that new asset more than just basically getting an aging asset back to operations." Woolgar said the company could double or even triple the plant's energy generating capabilities, which was previously 1.8 megawatts. It will still take time before Growler Energy and the government make a deal, said Woolgar. Before they shake hands, they'll need to complete a feasibility study and carry out community engagement. If they strike a deal, first energy could be produced in late 2028, which would be sold back to the province through a power purchase agreement. 'Big win here' Parsons called the possible deal a "win-win," as Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro doesn't have plans for the Buchans plant. The Buchans community is supportive of the plan, he said, adding that the Qalipu First Nation are involved in the proposal. "What we're doing is allowing [Growler Energy] to start the feasibility study to figure out what this will entail. So again, I think it's a great move all around," Parsons said. Parsons added the province is always going to be looking for more power for residential growth and commercial growth. "This is a big win here. And the work itself will be undertaken by a private company using their funds, and then they'll work out to see if there's an affordable power-purchase agreement with Hydro. Hydro is not going to pay just anything for this. It has to be reasonably priced." "That's why I'd like to see the site become operational again and bring all the benefits that these things do," he said.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
N.L. government looking to sell idle Buchans energy plant
While the Buchans plant is owned by the provincial government, it's operated by Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, and hasn't been in used since 2014. (Submitted by Robert Woolgar) The Newfoundland and Labrador government is looking to offload a long-idle power plant in central Newfoundland, and says it's hearing interest from a renewable energy company that plans to double the plant's former output. Industry, Energy and Technology Minister Andrew Parsons said the Buchans generation station, which hasn't been operational since 2014, can be put to better use. "It's sitting there idle and the conversation we're about to have is what we intend, or hope to see, done with it," Parsons said. Last week the province issued a non-binding letter of intent to a consortium, which includes Qalipu First Nation, Qalipu Holdings LP, Angler Solutions and St. John's-based renewable power company Growler Energy. Growler Energy CEO Robert Woolgar says the Buchans plant is attractive because so much of the infrastructure is already there. (Submitted by Robert Woolgar) Growler Energy CEO Robert Woolgar says he's worked in the energy sector for 30 years and is familiar with many of the province's assets, but Buchans stands out in particular because it's the community where his wife is from. "Growler — being a renewable energy company and this being a smaller plant — there could be a spot there for us to help support and basically get the plant back operational," said Woolgar. Taking over a plant with existing infrastructure is enticing, he adds: these days, there's more interest in decarbonization and electrification, especially at a time when the public utility is looking to increase its energy capacity. "Having these resources there that really just need somebody to come in and basically get them operational again, that adds value," said Woolgar. Much of the necessary plant infrastructure is already in place, he said, including the dam and reservoir. "You're not creating that new asset more than just basically getting an aging asset back to operations." Woolgar said the company could double or even triple the plant's energy generating capabilities, which was previously 1.8 megawatts. It will still take time before Growler Energy and the government make a deal, said Woolgar. Before they shake hands, they'll need to complete a feasibility study and carry out community engagement. If they strike a deal, first energy could be produced in late 2028, which would be sold back to the province through a power purchase agreement. 'Big win here' Parsons called the possible deal a "win-win," as Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro doesn't have plans for the Buchans plant. The Buchans community is supportive of the plan, he said, adding that the Qalipu First Nation are involved in the proposal. "What we're doing is allowing [Growler Energy] to start the feasibility study to figure out what this will entail. So again, I think it's a great move all around," Parsons said. Minister Andrew Parsons says the idle Buchans plant could soon be generating power again. (Elizabeth Whitten/CBC) Parsons added the province is always going to be looking for more power for residential growth and commercial growth. "This is a big win here. And the work itself will be undertaken by a private company using their funds, and then they'll work out to see if there's an affordable power-purchase agreement with Hydro. Hydro is not going to pay just anything for this. It has to be reasonably priced." Parsons said if the Buchans plant sits there, the province will be responsible for its decommissioning, deconstruction and cleanup. "That's why I'd like to see the site become operational again and bring all the benefits that these things do," he said. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
