PROVIDENCE – The Watuppa Water Board of Fall River has entered into an agreement to provide water to Benn Water & Heavy Transport Corp., which in turn will transport the water to Invenergy Thermal Development LLC as a secondary backup water source for the proposed Burrillville Clear River Energy Center.
John Friar II, clerk of the Watuppa Water Board, confirmed the deal Monday. The agreement was approved Aug. 17 by the board.
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Benn Water & Heavy Transport Corp. is the same company that entered into an agreement with the Narragansett Indian Tribe to provide water as a secondary source for the Burrillville power plant.
The agreement estimates that during the summer months roughly 18,720 gallons would be required to meet the needs of the power plant. Since Benn’s trucks hold a maximum of 8,000 gallons, three trucks would be required. However, the transport company said that as many as 88,000 gallons per day may be required under certain conditions, which would require 11 trucks per day. The contract also notes that as a secondary supplier, the agreement may not require Benn to take delivery of any water from the water board.
Benn Water will pay the city $25,000 per year for the city to reserve water capacity (no matter of water is delivered or not). If Benn exceeds 8 million gallons per year, the company will also owe the Fall River another $20,000 effective immediately.
The company will pay 1.2 cents per gallon for the first 500,000 gallons delivered, the standard tariff rate that Fall River’s water board charges bulk water customers. The price then declines from 501,000 to 1 million gallons to a rate of 1 cent per gallon. Beyond 1 million gallons, the rate is 0.8 cents per gallon. All trucks will be billed at full capacity.
Fall River’s involvement with Benn Water, and specifically Invenergy, was original redacted from the power company’s initial release that declared the Narragansett Tribe as a secondary water source (with Johnston being the primary source of water for the project).
Friar said that the volume of the water agreed to was more than most bulk water haulers generally take, but also noted that there is little consistency to such numbers.
The R.I. Energy Facility Siting Board has yet to decide whether to permit the proposed power plant in Burrillville.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
