Latest news with #PatrickDooley
ABC News
29-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Australia's last paper mill, Boyer, told power grid insufficient for electric conversion
On the banks of Hobart's Derwent River lies Australia's first, and now last, paper mill. The Boyer Mill is a piece of history. It is also reliant on some historical technology — coal burners. Coal-fired boilers have been creating the steam used in the paper manufacturing process since the mill opened in 1941. "That steam is used for softening [wood] chips in the pulping process, but its primarily used for drying paper in the paper machines, it's critical to our operation," the mill's general manager, Patrick Dooley said. The mill's new owner, businessman David Marriner, wants to cut off its coal connection and bring in electric boilers. The Boyer Mill is Tasmania's fourth-largest carbon emitter. The switch to electric would cut the plant's on-site emissions by about 95 per cent — roughly the same as taking one third of Tasmania's cars off the road. There is just one problem — getting the extra electricity needed. Mr Marriner said he had been told by state-owned power company Hydro Tasmania that it could not supply him with power from the Tasmanian grid, due to a lack of availability. Instead, it would have to import electricity from Victoria, which Mr Marriner said was offered a much higher price. The Boyer Mill is one of the state's largest power users. It currently uses around 100 megawatts — the electric boilers would require another 45 megawatts. "I feel stressed and somewhat frustrated in the discussions and negotiations we've been having," Mr Marriner said. The new boilers have been purchased from a Norwegian company and would be ready for installing in 15 months' time. Hydro Tasmania chief executive Rachel Watson said Tasmania's power and supply were in balance. "Until new generation is built, any large base load increases would be met by increased gas generation or imports from the mainland," Ms Watson said. She said any energy it sourced would be based on the cheapest available. "At times, that can be above what a customer wants to pay. "Hydro Tasmania remains focused on achieving a sustainable commercial return for its owners, the people of Tasmania." Boyer's Boiler No. 5, which was installed in 1991, chews through about 88,000 tonnes of coal a year. Since the mill lost its Tasmanian coal source three years ago, all of it has been brought in by a chartered ship from Newcastle, New South Wales. "It's unloaded and stored at a Bell Bay site then we utilise our contract with TasRail to bring the coal on a daily basis," Mr Dooley said. That coal comes with a $12 million a year price tag. "Now we've added [up] all of that logistics in terms of chartering the ship, storing it, unloading it and storing it at Bell Bay and then reloading it and bringing it down here," Mr Dooley said. The upgrades received backing at this year's federal election, with Labor tipping in $24 million. Of that figure, $9 million was to "stabilise its operations and prepare major investments to decarbonise and diversify its production", with the remainder to be spent on the electrification upgrades themselves. This is not the first time the Boyer Mill's electrification plans have been knocked back due to its energy supply. Under the previous ownership of Norwegian company Norske Skog in 2023, the company's plans for electric boilers were halted, when its request for 50 megawatts was refused by Hydro Tasmania. When Mr Marriner purchased the mill in February this year, Liberal spokesperson Nick Duigan downplayed concerns about a lack of power. In response to Mr Marriner's concerns, Mr Duigan told the ABC there was energy "through" Hydro Tasmania. "Our major industrials have significantly discounted rates, as we've encouraged the economic development these businesses offer the state," he said. "When additional supply is requested, Hydro Tasmania commercially negotiates a price." Hydro Tasmania said the total capacity of its system was more than 2,600 megawatts. The last major addition to Tasmania's power grid was the 112 megawatt Granville Harbour Wind Farm in 2020. The Northern Midland Solar Farm will provide another 288 megawatts when it is commissioned in 2027, and Hydro has agreed to purchase energy. Many other projects have been tied up in approvals processes for years. Last week, a decision on approvals under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act for the proposed Robbins Island wind farm was delayed for the seventh time. However, a new 250 megawatt solar farm at Weasel Hill in the Central Highlands received federal approval this month. It does not have an expected completion date. Adding to frustrations, Mr Marriner said Hydro had exercised a contractual right to cut off power supply "multiple times" since he took ownership of the factory earlier this year. "We get a credit for that, but it doesn't necessarily offset the cost of a total shutdown," he said. He said it comes with little warning, and impacted production schedules. Ms Watson said the trigger was one reason why Tasmania's major industrial customers received cheaper power. "It is part of their contract and we always give advanced notice. This is a very common arrangement for major industrials in the National Electricity Market," she said. Mr Marriner also said Hydro had been unsure it could supply power from Tasmanian sources for another of his business interests. His pre-cast concrete factory at Bridgewater produced the 1,082 concrete segments for the new Bridgewater bridge. Last year he unveiled plans to expand and convert the factory, so it could create 1,700 homes a year, made from precast concrete. The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Michael Bailey has been saying for two years that Tasmania is in an "energy crisis". He is frustrated that nothing has changed. "We're trying to grow industry, we're trying to build business, and it's impossible to do that without enough power," Mr Bailey said. He said the key piece in getting new generation projects moving was the Marinus Link. "What Marinus will bring then is the business case for those major wind production sites that we desperately need." It is a proposal for two 750 megawatt high voltage energy cables between Tasmania and Victoria, and would allow for more energy trading between the two states. The federal, Victorian and Tasmanian governments are due in August to make a final investment decision on the first cable. Ray Mostogl from the Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council said the state should be focusing on building a few very large generation projects, close to existing transmission corridors. Mr Mostogl said that could help avoid the cost of building new transmission lines and potentially cause less community angst. "It's not just power, it's power at the right price," he said. Mr Bailey said if any of the state's four major industrials — Boyer Mill, Liberty Bell Bay, Bell Bay Aluminium and the Nystar zinc smelter — were to close, it would have ramifications on the entire state's power grid. "Not only would we see the cost of transmission increase for all Tasmanian households, but we'd see much more insecurity across our network. We'd see blackouts," Mr Bailey said. He also said Hydro's ability to switch off power to the major industrials helped balance the network. Mr Marriner said he hoped "common sense" would prevail, and that the Boyer Mill would be able to access power at a cheaper rate, even if it were sourced from Victoria. But the first choice is for Tasmanian-made green energy. "If you go back in our history, the one great asset we do have is in fact clean energy, and we should be all very appreciative for that," he said.
Irish Examiner
15-05-2025
- Irish Examiner
Three men convicted of unprovoked attack on off-duty gardaí on night out in Cork
Two off-duty members of An Garda Síochána were entitled to socialise in Cork City without being the victims of unprovoked attacks by men acting like boxers, a Circuit Court judge said as she sentenced the three assailants on Thursday. Judge Helen Boyle said Christmas revellers out enjoying themselves in the city were also entitled to do so without the spectacle of this kind of violence on Oliver Plunkett Street. The judge noted the two victims did not engaged physically with the three attackers and the off-duty gardaí only tried to defuse the situation. All three pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm and one of engaging with others in violent disorder. Judge Boyle described Thomas Dooley as the most culpable as she jailed him for three years. The teenager, who cannot be named, was jailed for one year. Patrick Dooley, who had only been convicted once before and that was for public order, was given a fully suspended two-year sentence. All three stripped to the waist on the night and punched the off-duty gardaí repeatedly on a night out in Cork City. Sergeant Eamon Feehan said the two gardaí identified themselves as gardaí but this did nothing to deter the attackers. Sgt Feehan said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that other than putting up their hands to defend themselves, the off-duty gardaí did not fight in any way with the three assailants during the incident covered by CCTV. The violent incident occurred on December 6, 2021. Two of those involved in causing harm to the gardaí have since been convicted of the murder of 43-year-old Thomas Dooley at a cemetery in Tralee on October 5, 2022 — 10 months after the incident in Cork city centre for which they now face sentencing. One of those two men cannot be identified as he was 16 at the time of the assaults causing harm in Cork City and 17 at the time of the Tralee murder. The other man involved in both incidents was Thomas Dooley of the halting site, Carrigrohane, Cork, who is now aged 22. The third man — Patrick Dooley — had nothing to do with the incident in Tralee and was only ever convicted once for a minor public order incident. Patrick Dooley, 19, of Bay 3, halting site, Carrigrohane, Cork, also faces sentencing for his part in assault causing harm to the two off-duty gardaí, Garda Barry O'Shea and Garda Keith Cahill, on Oliver Plunkett Street on December 6, 2021. Sergeant Feehan said when the injured parties identified themselves as gardaí, Thomas Dooley said to them: 'Ye throw the first punch.' Sgt Feehan testified: 'They committed the assaults with great enthusiasm, removing their tops and taking boxer stances during the attack.' In respect of the custodial sentences, they will run concurrently with the terms they are serving for the Tralee murder.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE Has Officially Acquired AAA
Image Credit: WWE Ahead of WrestleMania 41, WWE announced that they have officially acquired AAA. Those who expected an uneventful kickoff show for WrestleMania 41 night one got quite the surprise this evening as Triple H announced that WWE had officially acquired AAA. Advertisement It was reported by WrestleVotes earlier this afternoon that a Worlds Collide event between WWE NXT and AAA was happening later this summer. The news surrounding this event turned out to be much bigger than anyone could have imagined. One of the most popular AAA wrestlers in recent memory, El Hijo del Vikingo, was on hand for the announcement. As were multiple WWE Superstars who have all honed their craft in AAA. You can check out the complete announcement in the embedded video below: This is obviously a breaking story, and more news regarding this acquisition should be incoming this weekend. More from Triple H regarding this announcement UPDATE: Triple H took to social media following the announcement to state the following about the acquisition of AAA, tweeting out: Advertisement 'A partnership that will benefit the entire world of sports-entertainment. @luchalibreaaa has been a cultural mainstay in Mexico and the home to many @WWE Superstars. This partnership will guarantee that AAA remains the premier destination for wrestling in Mexico. A special thank you as well to Patrick Dooley & Kevin Rohnke from @TKOGrp for helping to make this possible. Get ready for these two worlds to collide soon… The future flies here *Flame emoji,*' Triple H said in a post. Stay tuned to WrestleZone for more information on this shocking announcement as it becomes available. READ MORE: Report: WWE NXT To Team With AAA For Worlds Collide Event This Summer What do you make of this blockbuster announcement overall? Are you shocked that WWE has acquired AAA? Let us know your overall thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below. The post WWE Has Officially Acquired AAA appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
72-year-old man dead after being hit by two cars in Baton Rouge, state police say
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Louisiana State Police are investigating a crash that killed a pedestrian Friday night on LA 408 near Governor Claiborne Drive. Troopers said Patrick Dooley, 72, of Baton Rouge, was trying to cross the eastbound lanes of LA 408 when he was hit by two vehicles, a Toyota Camry and a GMC Yukon, traveling in the same lane. State police said Dooley died at the scene from his injuries. A child in the Camry suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital. Everyone else in both vehicles was not hurt. Police said both drivers were wearing seatbelts, and impairment is not suspected, though routine toxicology tests are being done. No charges have been filed at this time. St. Helena Parish deputies investigate after inmate found dead in cell The crash remains under investigation. First 2025 measles case reported in New Orleans High schoolers touring FSU when shooting broke out, principal says 72-year-old man dead after being hit by two cars in Baton Rouge, state police say Autism community sounds alarms over 'harmful' RFK Jr. comments What Are the Best Places to Get an Oil Change? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
East Texans encouraged to remain vigilance during upcoming serve weather
RUSK COUNTY, Texas (KETK)- With impeding bad weather coming to East Texas this week it is essential for residents to know when severe weather is heading their way. Oncor: All power restored in Tyler after transformer failure Rusk County Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator, Patrick Dooley wants to make sure all East Texans are being informed about impending severe weather. 'We want to make sure that we're doing everything we can to help push pertinent, timely information out there to them so they get that information,' Dooley said. However rural areas across East Texas counties staying informed during severe storms can look different. There can be spotty cell phone service and not all areas have tornado sirens. 'We've looked at them,' Dooley said. 'They're just very cost prohibitive right now.' Dooley said like most updates these days they get the word out to as many people as possible on social media. 'We use Facebook, twitter, Instagram,' Dooley said. Rusk also uses Rave/Smart 9-1-1 which is a notification system paid by the 'East Texas council of Government' that allows officials to share important messages and emergency alerts. 'You would have full access as far as emergency notifications, whether they be locally state or national,' Dooley said. Smith County is also using the same system currently. The way people can opt into this system is by going online to their counties website, but when the internet and service go down, they'll go back to the original form of communication. 'It uses a national weather service algorithm. and when the national weather service issues a weather statement, it triggers that alert and anyone signed up gets the alert,' Smith County emergency management coordinator Brandon Moore said. UT Tyler volleyball star signs professionally with Finland team Dooley emphasized the importance for everyone to do their own due diligence and stay weather aware. 'Listen to the weather, find different ways, whether it be, you know, the radio, tv, whatever it may be,' Dooley said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
