Final Hearings Begin for Invenergy’s Proposed Power Plant in Burrillville

GoLocalProv News Team

Final Hearings Begin for Invenergy’s Proposed Power Plant in Burrillville

The Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board has set the schedule for the final hearing of the Invenergy Thermal Development LLC’s application to build the Clear River Energy Center Power Plant in Burrillville.“We are relieved to see the final hearings start. This is an issue of importance to the entire state, and in fact, most cities and towns and the attorney general have filed resolutions in opposition,”  said Michael C. Wood, Burrillville Town Manager.

Hearings Begin

On Thursday, April 26, opening statements were made to the EFSB by Special Counsel Michael R. McElroy for the Town of Burrillville, Attorney Jerry Elmer for the Conservation Law Foundation, Michael S. Blazer, Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for Invenergy LLC.

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According to the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board, “ the purpose of the final hearing is to present this case: the plant is not needed, is not cost-justified and would cause unacceptable harm to the environment. The Town has a very strong case. The Town’s independent experts will be heard by the EFSB, which is legally commissioned to reach a fair and impartial decision. The EFSB must be purposeful in its consideration of the proposal - and the Town of Burrillville believes that, when the EFSB hears the testimony, and considers the voices of 31 cities and towns, it will rule that the plant is not needed and will cause unacceptable harm to the state’s environment.”

Future Hearings

The final hearing stage itself continues throughout the late summer and fall of 2018. The EFSB has tentatively scheduled the final hearing to continue to the following dates:

  • July 19, 24 and 25
  • August 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23
  • September 4, 5, 6, 12, 18, 20, 26 and 27
  • October 10, 16, 17, 30 and 31

 

All sessions of the final hearing are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. at Hearing Room A of the Public Utilities Commission office building, 89 Jefferson Boulevard, Warwick, Rhode Island unless posted otherwise.


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