Eight charged after rally opposing energy projects

BURRILLVILLE – Eight people were charged with trespassing following a Dec. 5 march and rally opposing proposed pipeline and power-plant projects in the town, according to ecoRI News.

Opposition has grown as two energy projects have advanced in town: a $700 million natural-gas power plant and a build-out of the Algonquin pipeline compressor station. Both would connect to the Algonquin natural-gas pipeline, owned by Houston-based Spectra Energy.

Opponents claim the pipeline creates health and safety problems along its 1,200-mile route.

Local residents have complained noise from the compressor station has worsened in the past two years.

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All eight activists were arrested after the mile-long march and rally outside a home across from the entrance to the compressor station.

Heather Doyle, of Washington, D.C., was one of the marchers. She said the protests are intended to draw attention to the projects and increase public opposition.

“By the time the community finds out about all this stuff, it’s usually too late to do anything about it,” Doyle said. •

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