Category Archives: Electricity

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Aaron Mokoena Calls On Schools To Join npower Football League Kids Cup

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Aaron Mokoena of Portsmouth FC has unveiled the new npower Football League Kid’s Cup competition, a six-a-side competition for teams of mixed under 11’s designed to nurture a new generation of football stars and encourage healthy competition amongst kids.

Alongside the Kids Cup, npower will also be supporting a similar competition for teams of under 13 girls titled the npower Football League Girls Cup.

Aaron is encouraging schools to sign up for both cups by entering their local competition, in the hopes of winning the chance to represent the club at the regional, and then later area and national phases of the competitions.

The best sides will then battle it out in front of thousands of fans before one of The Football League’s showpiece finals.

Clare McDougall, npower’s head of Education and Community, commented:

“npower is really pleased to be supporting the involvement of children in sport from an early age – a key component of our sponsorship of The Football League. Encouraging a bit of healthy competition amongst kids is great for building their self-confidence and who knows, we may even be nurturing a few future pro players too”

Greg Clarke, Chairman of The Football League, said:

“The npower Football League Kids Cup and Girls Cup are fantastic ways of encouraging schoolchildren to take part in competitive sport as well as offering them the chance of a lifetime to play in front of thousands of fans.”

The npower Football League Kids Cup was formerly known as The Football League Community Cup. The road to the Finals starts in September with each Football League club organising a competition for all local schools wishing to take part. The finals of the U11 Cup will be played prior to the npower Football League Play-Off Finals. The U13 Girls Cup will be played prior to the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final.

Via EPR Network
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npower Celebrates ‘Consumer Supplier Of The Year’ Award Win

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npower is celebrating after being presented with ‘The Consumer Supplier of the Year’ award at the first ever Energy Event Awards. The award recognises the supplier that has excelled in providing industrial and commercial consumers with an outstanding service, product or innovation.

The awards are a new addition to the annual Energy Event, which took place at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham on 8-9th September 2010. The awards recognise and reward achievements in the energy industry, celebrating the suppliers and businesses that are bringing new ideas and innovations to how energy is used and managed.

The award was presented to David Cockshott, director of industrial and commercial markets at npower. He said: “It’s brilliant that npower has been recognised as ‘The Consumer Supplier of the Year’. We are particularly proud of the accolade because we were nominated by our own industrial and commercial business customers, and we’d like to thank them for their support.”

David continued: “Offering our customers the best service is at the forefront of everything npower does and we strive to give businesses flexibility in how they buy their energy and to work in partnership with them to meet their energy needs.

“The judges also highlighted our Optimisation Desk as a key element of winning the award. This unique service allows our customers to access market developments, price analysis, trading information and updates and gives them a clear understanding of their position to help them to make more informed purchasing decisions.”

Via EPR Network
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npower Announces The Big Turn On

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npower has revealed that Tuesday 14 September is officially the day of The Big Turn On; when the majority of Brits awaken their heating from its summer slumber.

Statistics from npower hometeam, which installs, services and repairs boilers, show that Tuesday 14 September is the day when boilers across the country will whir back into action.

It’s easy to forget about boilers during the Great British Summer in all its varied and inconsistent glory, but as Brits make the move and flick that switch, npower hometeam reveals that it experienced a significant increase in calls regarding broken boilers in 2008 and 2009 and is expecting a similar rise this September 14th.

Richard Cotton, head of sales for npower hometeam, commented: “The unpredictability of British weather often leaves us tempted to reach for the heating in the first few weeks of September. But many homeowners don’t consider that their heating system has been dormant for some time after a hard winter’s work that lasted well into the start of the year.

“Having your boiler annually serviced should play an essential part in every household’s preparations for the colder months. It’s vital to make sure your boiler is in good working order and fix any problems early in the season, before the weather take a turn for the worst and you are relying on your heating system on a daily basis.”

npower hometeam is also keen to stress the importance of having boilers attended to by a qualified engineer after discovering the worrying trend of homeowners attempting to fix broken boilers themselves. While this may seem like the easiest solution, particularly if the weather takes a sudden turn for the worse, there can be financial and health and safety implications to DIY boiler maintenance.

Richard continued: “Attempts to service or repair a boiler should only be carried out by a qualified engineer as doing so yourself could lead to further damage and even carbon monoxide leaks. Homeowners looking to save money should steer away from DIY boiler maintenance and instead take advantage of our annual boiler care service, hometeam 50, which offers a guaranteed 50% No Call Out Cash Back after 12 months.

power, and the renewables sector in general.”

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Wind Turbine Manufacturer Gaia-Wind Welcome The News Of Scottishpower Renewables Wind Farm Expansion

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Following news that Scotland are half way to achieving their 2020 climate target, with a 20% drop in carbon emissions since 1990, the announcement of a major expansion to the Whitelee wind farm south of Glasgow provides a reaffirmation of the importance of onshore wind power to Scotland’ s development.

In 2008, Whitelee wind farm on Eaglesham Moor began producing electricity. Currently, the 140 turbines in situ are capable of providing enough energy to power 180,000 homes. With the planned expansion, the power generation of the site will increase from 322MW to a staggering 539MW – enough to power 300,000 homes.

World leading small and domestic turbine manufacturers Gaia-Wind view this development as a highly positive step toward the consolidation and continued progress of the Scottish contribution to a global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. A Gaia-Wind spokesperson, commenting on Scotland’s latest commitment to renewable energy said that:

“Any onshore wind developments are good news, and with the recent milestone reached in the Scottish climate change agenda, the extension at Whitelee is a further indication of the dedication of the Scottish authorities to producing renewable energy through wind power for a greater proportion of the population.”

Whilst Whitelee exists in its present state as the largest onshore wind farm in Europe, the proposed expansion will elevate the site to one of the largest in the world. Commenting on the monumental nature of the project, UK Director of ScottishPower Renewables, Simon Christian, explained that:

“By itself at 217MW (the expected increase in power generation), the extension would be one of the largest onshore wind farms in the UK, so we are starting another major construction project in Scotland.”

This major project is the latest instance of Scotland’s rigorous and innovatory approach to renewable energy production.

With almost 25% of Scotland’s electricity demand supplied by renewables throughout 2008, it is evident that the Scottish renewable energy sector is playing a leading role in the campaign to reduce emissions. A significant degree of investment from government, businesses, the industry and individual investors has enabled the delivery of vastly reduced carbon emission levels.

Continued investment is a highly significant factor in the field of renewable energy. A spokesperson from Gaia-Wind has in fact commented on the need for “governmental stability in policy making for the continued investment in wind power, and the renewables sector in general.”

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npower Reveals Billericay Is Home To Britain’s Oldest Boiler

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npower hometeam’s nationwide search for Britain’s oldest boiler has come to an end with Colin Sadler from Billericay being revealed as the owner of the oldest boiler in the country.

While the floppy disk, the video cassette and Bananarama have all been and gone, Colin Sadler’s boiler has been quietly ticking along at his home in Essex since 1968 and is still going strong.

Colin had never given his boiler a second thought, until his wife Sue read in his local paper that npower hometeam was on the search for Britain’s oldest system. It was then that he thought his old Crane Caviller boiler, that has been in his home since him and his wife moved in 28 years ago, may stand a chance.

Since the Government’s boiler scrappage scheme launched in January, npower hometeam, which installs, services and repairs boilers, has overseen the replacement of hundreds of old, inefficient boilers across the country. Inspired by these discoveries, the company launched a nationwide hunt to find the oldest boiler and, out of over 100 entries, Colin’s system was confirmed as the oldest.

He will now receive £3,000 towards a new A-rated energy efficient boiler and installation.

Colin commented: “When my wife and I moved into our home in 1982, the seller warned us the boiler was quite old, but we decided to keep it as it was in good working order. It wasn’t until an engineer recently told us he was reticent to service it because it was so old that we thought it might be about time to have a new one.

“That said, when I entered it into the competition I certainly didn’t think it would be the oldest one they’d find. It’s done us proud for many years, but we’re looking forward to get a new energy efficient boiler, as I think this one has earned its retirement.”

Via EPR Network
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Small Wind Turbine Manufacturer Gaia-Wind Welcomes First Minister’s Drive For World’s First Floating Wind Farm

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Domestic wind turbine manufacturer Gaia-Wind supports the Scottish Government’s backing of floating wind farms that will help bring the commercial viability and benefits of wind turbines to an even bigger audience.

Following discussions between First Minister Alex Salmond and Norwegian energy giant Statoil, Scotland could soon become home to the world’s first floating wind farm.

In a bid to encourage Statoil to use Scottish waters to test and develop the commercial viability of their deep water Hywind floating turbines, the First Minister has suggested locations off the coast of Aberdeenshire or the Isle of Lewis.

Scottish waters as a whole are thought to offer a quarter of Europe’s entire offshore renewable potential.

Should the project go ahead, it is estimated that offshore wind power could create around 20,000 jobs, £30 billion in investment as well as a much needed move towards energy security; a point domestic wind turbine manufacturer Gaia-Wind feels is long overdue, as a spokesperson explains:

“With the finite nature of fossil fuels becoming an increasingly pressing matter, we need to act now to create a world that can function just as easily from renewable energy as it does oil.

“The forward thinking nature of the Scottish Government shows the wheels are in motion to do so.

“One of the biggest incentives of large scale renewable energy – such as plans for a floating wind farm – is the idea that Scotland could secure and harness its own energy resources meaning the need to rely on power from other countries could become redundant. The idea of Scotland producing power independently is a very attractive prospect indeed.”

With the Scottish Government backing wind energy all the way, it’s hoped that the increasing prominence of large scale wind farms will also enlighten home owners and small businesses to the benefits of wind turbines on a domestic level.

Via EPR Network
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npower Backs Wear Your Shirt To Work Day

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npower in Worcester is taking part in a nationwide ‘Wear Your Shirt to Work’ day to mark 100 days to go until the official decision by FIFA of who will host the World Cup in 2018.

npower is an official supporter of the England 2018 FIFA World Cup Bid, and will be urging all of its 12,000 staff to get behind the campaign. Wear Your Shirt to Work day also coincides with a tour of some of the potential host cities by a delegation from football governing body, FIFA.

Wear Your Shirt to Work day is an initiative driven by the England 2018 Bid team and involves employees doing just as it suggests; wearing the shirt of their chosen football team to work. As well as encouraging England football fans to back the bid and raising awareness of the bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the initiative is also designed to show the passion many in England have for football during the crucial FIFA visit.

Emma Collins, sponsorship manager at npower, commented:”As official supporters of the Bid, we are more than happy to support this campaign by the England 2018 Bid team. Wear Your Shirt to Work day is a great way to engage our entire workforce in supporting the Bid and to raise awareness of npower’s involvement in it.

“We will be encouraging everyone to take part and wear their football shirts with pride to show FIFA that England not only has the facilities to host the World Cup, but the passion too.”

England 2018 Chief Executive Andy Anson said: “It’s great that npower is joining our Wear Your Shirt to Work campaign. The purpose of the day is to raise awareness of our Bid, have some fun, and to also mark an important milestone; 100 days until FIFA makes its decision about which country will welcome the World Cup in eight years time.”

Via EPR Network
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npower Announces Competition For New Customers

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npower has released details of a competition for all new customers signing up to its Football Saver tariff online via npower.com. The competition gives entrants the chance to win one of two prizes; A Football League Club Experience day or a signed ball and shirt for a club of the winner’s choice.

The competition is set to run from 5 to 19 August 2010 with customers who sign up to the new Football Saver tariff placed into a draw for a chance to win one of the prizes on offer. The tariff also offers customers a discount of 7%, a lower rate than the standard variable gas and electricity tariff, until 30 September 2011 and a £45 voucher to spend at any official Football League club shop.

This deal ties in with the sponsorship of the Football Leagues – from the Championship to League 2 – which will go under the name npower Football League for the 2010/11 season. Coupled with this is the Football League Fan Club that allows npower customers the chance to win tickets to Football League matches as well as other exclusive offers, all made public through the quarterly football e-mail updates.

The Big Ticket Giveaway will see a pair of tickets for every single npower Football League match up for grabs this season and fan club members will also have the opportunity to win club player and manager appearances.

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San Diego Is ‘Almost’ A Small Wind Community!

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DyoCore, a San Diego hybrid small wind/solar manufacturer on Friday July 23rd benefited from a unanimous approval by the County Planning Commission board to adopt changes in permitting to allow for the install and use of small residential/commercial wind turbines. DyoCore’s SolAir is one of the first small wind products to be allowed up to 5 units per structure anywhere under the jurisdiction of the County Planning Commission

DyoCore manufactures the SolAir, a residential / small commercial hybrid wind turbine. This small residential power house can provide about 2,000 kWh’s annually in green renewable power. For the past several years DyoCore has worked diligently in both becoming the first and only residential roof top turbine approved by the CEC (California Energy Commission) and working with municipalities on updating their building codes to allow its communities to take advantage of its technology and the state incentives that make the SolAir almost completely free to purchase and install!

SolAir is the only approved Turbine though the CEC that is virtually free. For each installed SolAir unit the state of California through the CEC, funded by major utilities companies such as San Diego Gas and Electric, will pay you up to 100% of your cost and installation within 4 to 6 weeks of final installation.

David Raine, the founder of DyoCore said “The County Planning Commission of San Diego are not the first to recognize the potential of Small Wind and DyoCore’s power generator in the state of California and not the first in the County as Carlsbad recognized the benefit of these solutions within its community only just a few weeks ago along with several other areas in California that are very friendly to renewable energy and specifically small wind”. David expects other communities to follow in these footsteps very soon but not without an uphill battle.

States and the Federal government in preparation of these new modern green technologies several years ago began adopting and outlining Green energy guidelines but these have and will continue to take time to trickle down to the community level.

Communities have not addressed these types of products since the early 70’s and most current regulations are specific to “Large” pole mounted turbines. DyoCore’s SolAir in most communities doesn’t fit into any building code category. Even though it is light weight, appealing, silent and an easy to install generator at less than 65” tall this is a completely new solution that requires new thinking in how to change existing or implement new codes that allow for modern friendly green technologies.

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npower Reports South Africa Economic Success Boosts Case For England 2018 World Cup Bid

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Npower has reported that preliminary figures from the South African government have revealed that the staging of the World Cup brought an estimated boost to the economy of R93bn (£8bn).

These figures strongly support the business case for backing the bid to get the world’s biggest football tournament to England in 2018 according to npower, an official supporter of the England 2018 FIFA World Cup.

A poll conducted by the energy company revealed that more than 82% of bosses believe a World Cup in England would be great for business, 55% say it will deliver major financial benefit, and 63% say it would boost morale.

With the FIFA delegation set to visit each potential host city in August, npower is now calling on the business community to pledge their support for a World Cup in England in 2018. FIFA makes its decision on the host nation for 2018 in December 2010.

Kevin Peake, marketing director at npower, commented: “FA calculations suggest that the World Cup could bring as much as £3.2 billion to the economy, and the figures coming out of South Africa so far, although preliminary, show the economic boost a country can receive by staging this tournament.

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npower Reports English Businesses Want World Cup On Home Soil In 2018

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According to a new survey from npower, with the England football team making an early return from South Africa, disappointed bosses are keeping their fingers crossed for a successful campaign to bring the 2018 World Cup to England.

More than 82% of the bosses polled believe a World Cup would be great for business, with 55% saying it will deliver major financial benefit, while 63% said it would boost morale.

npower, Official England 2018 FIFA World Cup(TM) Bid Supporter, is now calling on people to pledge their support for a World Cup in England in 2018, to help give a boost for business. FIFA makes its decision on the host nation for 2018 in December 2010.

In the CBI’s June survey of retailers, shops reported buoyant sales of food, drinks and television sets, as households got ready for the tournament in South Africa, but England’s failure to reach the latter stages have seen sales plummet. Retailers and pubs were hopeful that footie fever would carry on into July.

A successful 2018 World Cup bid would go some way to make up the shortfall with FA calculations suggesting it could bring as much as £3.2 billion to the economy.

“Whilst people may be disappointed that England didn’t make it further in the tournament, we now need for everyone to get behind the 2018 bid and show their support to host the World Cup in England in eight year’s time. There isn’t much time left to pledge support as the host nation will be decided this December, so it’s important businesses back the bid now, rather than later.” said npower’s marketing director, Kevin Peake.

“The opportunity to bring the tournament to England would be fantastic. Businesses of all sizes across the country would benefit and many of these will be the small businesses located around the host grounds – the food stalls, pubs, cafes and suppliers to the grounds.

“As the Official Supporters of the 2018 FIFA World Cup(TM) Bid, we are already working with small businesses in the host cities to highlight the important role they will play and also support them with energy efficiency advice. We hope this will help them reduce their carbon footprint and energy costs.”

Via EPR Network
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npower Heath Through Warmth Scheme Reaches 2000th Milestone

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npower’s Heath Through Warmth scheme has reached two impressive milestones this month, seven years after its launch in Leicester.

The scheme, which is managed locally by Leicester City Council in partnership with NHS Leicester, hit two milestones within days of one another, receiving its 2,000th referral and accessing £2 million of leverage to fund the heating and insulation measures installed for vulnerable Leicester residents with cold and damp related illnesses.

npowers Health Through Warmth scheme aims to help vulnerable residents whose health is made worse by cold and damp living conditions and they don’t have inadequate heating and insulation.

The scheme relies on community workers referring people to the scheme. Each referral is assessed individually by the local Health Through Warmth co-ordinator and funding is accessed from a variety of sources, including the unique npower Health Through Warmth Crisis Fund, government grants and charitable funds to help pay for the installation of appropriate heating and insulation measures.

Elaine Midwinter, Health Through Warmth scheme manager, commented: “We’re thrilled that Health Through Warmth has reached two such impressive milestones in Leicester. I’d like to thank the team at Leicester City Council, as well as all our partners and referrers who have helped to make Health Through Warmth such a success in the area. It is thanks to their hard work that we are able to continue improving the comfort and quality of life for vulnerable residents.”

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npower Braces For England Vs Slovenia Power Surge

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npower is bracing itself for a huge surge in demand at 3pm on 23rd June, as thousands of businesses turn on TVs across the country to watch England take on Slovenia in the final crucial qualifying match in South Africa.

According to new research from npower, official supporter of the England 2018 FIFA World Cup Bid, 58% of businesses plan to let footie fans watch the big game, with over a third (39%) planning to screen the match at their places of work to boost morale.

Data from National Grid shows that England’s last crucial match on a working day, against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup, created the second biggest TV pick-up of all time at 2,570MW, as the nation tuned into to see if England could beat the eventual winners.

To save energy while watching the game, npower is now urging businesses to turn off computers, copiers and other non-essential equipment to keep energy consumption to a minimum.

Office equipment is responsible for approximately 20% of energy use in most offices and half of this stems from PCs and monitors at a cost of £300 million per annum to businesses, according to the Carbon Trust. Switching equipment off for even just a few hours will stop energy waste and save money.

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npower Celebrates Football League Partnership With New Football Saver Tariff

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npower has announced that it is providing customers with the chance to opt for a 7% saving by choosing to switch to npower’s new Football Saver tariff.

npower Celebrates Football League Partnership With New Football Saver Tariff

Launched to celebrate npower’s new partnership with the Football League, its appeal will go beyond football supporters as it’s the cheapest direct debit deal available offline for dual fuel customers*.

‘npower Football Saver‘ is on average £68 per year cheaper than the British Gas standard monthly direct debit dual fuel offering, and over £90 cheaper than the Scottish & Southern Energy equivalent.

In fact the new npower tariff guarantees to be 7% cheaper than standard direct debit dual fuel prices, including any decreases and / or increases to standard monthly direct debit prices until 30 September 2011.

The npower Football Saver is also available for new customers who pay by Quarterly Variable Direct Debit as well as single fuel off-gas grid electricity customers who pay by direct debit.

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npower Launches New Price Beater Offer For Small Business Customers

npower, official supporter of the bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup(TM), is offering to beat SME businesses’ renewal offers by 10% throughout the England 2018 Back the Bid campaign.

npower Launches New Price Beater Offer For Small Business Customers

npower believes that hosting the FIFA World Cup(TM) would bring a much-needed boost to the economy and to British businesses. It’s the reason why, throughout the Back the Bid campaign, npower is offering to beat SME businesses’ first renewal offers by at least 10% – so for example, for every £20 of energy charged by a company’s current supplier, npower could only charge £18. This could provide big savings for many small to medium sized businesses across the UK.

Andy Bickers, head of business sales at npower, said, “Hosting the FIFA World Cup(TM) in 2018 could bring an extra £3.2 billion to the economy, which would give businesses a fantastic lift. 82% of businesses surveyed believe that a FIFA World Cup (TM) in England would be great for business, with 63% saying it will boost morale. But we don’t want to wait until 2018 to help businesses, which is why we’ve launched our Price Beater offer, giving new customers the chance to save on the cost of renewing their energy contract.”

The new Back the Bid offer is being made available until 15th November 2010 and is based on the first written renewal quote from the existing supplier.

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National Grid Seeking Billions in Future Natural Gas Rate Adjustments in Massachusetts

National Grid in Massachusetts, filed for new rates from its Massachusetts natural gas customers. The rate filing dated April 16, 2010, proposes billions of dollars in infrastructure replacement programs with an estimated completion timeframe of over 20 years.

The rate increase National Grid is seeking is actually three years prior to the deadline of the current 10 year rate case approved by Massachusetts state utility regulatory agency the Department of Public Utilities, or the “DPU” in 2003 under DPU docket 03-40.

The New England Gas Workers Association (NEGWA) opposes the rate proposal as planned, stating the rate plan as filed is certainly not in the best interest of ratepayers and their families, as well as their members who most are ratepayers as well.

NEGWA’s president, Mark McDonald, had this to say regarding NEGWA’s opposition to the company’s plans;

The infrastructure replacement program, the key component in this rate plan in our opinion, is not good for anyone other than their shareholders.

“The companies plan is to have Massachusetts ratepayers build National Grid a “new” gas company and reduce staffing and services for its customers, while generating valuable gains for National Grid in terms of increased throughput designed to allow the ability to add thousands of ratepayers, as well as relieving the burden of gaming access to hundreds of thousands of homes to perform regular mandated maintenance, by moving gas meters outside the home at their current customers expense.”

McDonald is clear in adding, NEGWA is not supporting leaving leak ridden, hazardous piping in the ground”. “What we would like to see is a fiscal approach to updating, and maintaining our infrastructure”.

This could easily be established with necessary replacement plans, as well as a maintain plan, designed to control aging leaks with repair and increased efforts in monitoring gas leaks that are not repaired immediately.

McDonald also points to pending legislation sponsored by State Representative Lori Ehrlich (Dem) from Marblehead, designed to require gas companies in the state, perform efficient and safe leak repairs within 36 months from detection. There are also several triggers designed to protect trees and vegetation from damage due to oxygen displacement caused by gas leaks. “If this legislation reaches the approval of Beacon Hill, it would mandate all gas company’s in the state, including National Grid take aggressive steps in maintaining OUR gas distribution system and negate the debate over questionable infrastructure replacement programs costing billions of dollars more out of our pockets each winter!”

To add insult to injury NEGWA notes, the company is planning on bringing out of state workers in excess of 400 into Massachusetts (National Grid has even held discussions with their United Kingdom sub-contractors on this subject), to perform this questionable work, and then take the money from Massachusetts ratepayers and return home to boost their state or countries economy!

McDonald mentions in closing, “we would like to see National Grid do the right thing here in Massachusetts, and agree to a reasonable approach to infrastructure replacement and leak management, as well as promoting the future of its employees and their families, which in turn will help support the Massachusetts economy instead of sending large sums of money back to England”.

Does this sound familiar to Massachusetts residents??

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npower Hometeam Hunts For Britains Oldest Boiler

npower hometeam has overseen the removal of hundreds of ancient boilers across the length and breadth of the country since the Government’s boiler scrappage scheme launched in January. Now npower hometeam is on a nationwide hunt to find Britain’s Oldest Boiler.

With record numbers of Brits taking advantage of the boiler scrappage scheme, which offers consumers £400 off a new, energy efficient boiler when replacing one which is G-Rated, hometeam engineers have uncovered several antique systems.

Inspired by these discoveries, npower hometeam is launching a nationwide hunt to find Britain’s Oldest Boiler.

Richard Cotton, head of sales for npower hometeam, commented: “If your boiler is particularly old – perhaps the same age as your grown-up children, or has been in the house longer than you have been married – you could be the owner of Britain’s Oldest Boiler.”

The owner of the oldest system uncovered will win £3,000 towards a brand new A-rated energy efficient boiler, and installation.

npower was the first energy supplier to pledge to continue its boiler scrappage scheme once the Government scheme closed, meaning consumers could still be eligible to receive as much as £400 towards the cost of a new boiler; almost a third off the cost of a typical installation.

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Opus Energy Exceeds £10k Charity Target For The Friends Of Cynthia Spencer Hospice

After 12 months of fundraising, Opus Energy employees have exceeded their original £10,000 target in aid of the Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice.

Opus Energy Exceeds £10k Charity Target For The Friends Of Cynthia Spencer Hospice

The business energy supplier, based in Northampton, took part in a variety of fundraising activities such as the New York Marathon, It’s a knock-out and charity fun days to reach their goal.

Andy Nash, Operations Director at Opus Energy, commented:
“Opus Energy is thrilled to present this donation to the Cynthia Spencer Hospice. It’s an organisation that provides people across Northamptonshire an exceptional level of bereavement and spiritual care at the end of life. They provide a comprehensive service for mainly cancer patients, and their families, for whom a cure may no longer be possible.

“We hope that our contribution to this worthy cause will go a long way to help support the hospice and care for those affected.”

The hospice relies heavily on the generosity of donations to help maintain an exceptional quality of care. Although primarily funded by the NHS, they have to raise a further £650,000 each year through charitable donations and fundraising activities, to continue the services they offer at a time when people need it most.

Sue Bownass, Community Fundraiser, added:
“The Friends of Cynthia Spencer Hospice were absolutely delighted that Opus Energy chose us as their charity of the year and have very much enjoyed working alongside them on some of their fundraising events.

“The money has helped the hospice to continue employing staff for the benefits of patients; making sure their stay is as comfortable as possible.

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npower Kicks Off A Football-Filled Summer With The Hairy Bikers

npower is kicking off its ‘Big Cook Off’ with the Hairy Bikers in an effort to introduce Britain to Smart Cooking, great football and great food. As the nation gets ready for football fever this summer, npower has teamed up with the Hairy Bikers to prepare a football-themed cookbook.

npower Kicks Off A Football-Filled Summer With The Hairy Bikers

The 32 energy-rated dishes are all inspired by the nations taking part in the big tournament. The recipes, cooked by energetic chefs and football fans the Hairy Bikers, have all been given star ratings to indicate how energy efficient they are to prepare.

The Hairy Bikers have filmed their own energy saving tips, together with simple demonstrations of how to prepare a selection of the dishes, to help budding cooks save both power and money. The cookbook contains a delicious array of options, f r o m England’s Steak and Ale pie to host nation South Africa’s Pumpkin Fritters.

npower is an Official Supporter of the campaign to bring the FIFA World Cup(TM) to England in 2018 and is encouraging the public to do their bit to Back the Bid this summer by visiting the npower website to download smart cooking recipes and register their support for the Bid campaign.

Via EPR Network
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npower Receives A Tail Wagging Hello From Guide Dogs

npower has been receiving visits from the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association at sites across the north east of England to raise awareness of its services for blind and partially-sighted people.

npower Receives A Tail Wagging Hello From Guide Dogs

Over the past two months staff f r o m npower have been meeting guide dog owners and their respective guide dogs during selected lunchtime visits to its offices across the north east. Guide Dogs had previously been invited to the npower site in Worcester and was selected by npower to receive a £20,000 donation, which was used to sponsor four guide dog puppies through their training.

At these visits npower employees have been encouraged to sponsor a puppy, recycle for the charity and get involved in volunteering and payroll giving.

Nicola Wilson, Guide Dogs’ Development Fundraiser for the North said: “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to visit the north east sites of npower. We’ve had an incredibly warm welcome so far and thanks to everyone’s support Guide Dogs will receive an extra £792 annually and we still have three more site visits to attend. npower and their staff have been extremely supportive of Guide Dogs and we simply cannot thank them enough for their continued generosity and support.

“The dogs love all the attention they receive at these visits and the volunteers who dedicate their time enjoy answering all the queries and talking about their experiences as guide dog owners and/or volunteers.”

npower currently sponsor four guide dog puppies at Tibury power station and its offices in Swindon and Worcester. Orbie, a five month old golden Labrador is sponsored by the offices in the North East.

Gary Doig, npower’s Community Investment Manager in the North East said, “npower was delighted to sponsor our own guide dog puppy, Orbie, through the corporate charity committee. The Guide Dog visits to our North East sites will undoubtedly create a lot of interest amongst our employees, enabling them to learn more about the dogs themselves as well as increase awareness of the great work done by the charity. Hopefully Guide Dogs will also be able to recruit some future fundraisers f r o m amongst our people.”

There are around 4,600 guide dog partnerships throughout the UK; each costing about£50,000. The charity relies entirely on voluntary donations to funds its guide dog service.

Nicola explained: “Without the help of employers and staff like npower, Guide Dogs couldn’t provide its services for visually impaired people.

“There are still thousands of blind or partially sighted people who never leave the house alone because they lack the confidence and support to do so. Guide Dogs want to change this and provide independence and freedom to every visually impaired person who needs it.”

Via EPR Network
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