PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Environmental Management announced Thursday it has found the proposed Clear River Energy Center power plant in Burrillville will comply with state and federal air pollution controls and has prepared a draft permit for public review and comment until July 15.
The overall decision on siting and building the facility, proposed by Invenergy Thermal Development LLC, still rests with the state Energy Facility Siting Board.
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Invenergy, which has faced persistent opposition from environmentalists and others, heralded the DEM’s decision to tentatively issue the air pollution control permit as “an important milestone and major permit” for the $1 billion project that confirms the proposed natural gas-fueled plant would meet “acceptable state and federal standards and rules.”
In a statement, the company added: “It is also validation of our ability to build and operate this critical new energy source for Rhode Island in an environmentally responsible way. We look forward the Energy Facility Siting Board’s decision on the project in the coming months.”
The Conservation Law Foundation, which has waged a legal battle against the proposed plant, plans to challenge Invenergy’s application for a permit under the federal Clean Air Act, said Jerry Elmer, senior attorney at the foundation’s Providence office.
“However, the real action is at the [Energy Facilities Siting Board], and the Conservation Law Foundation is confident that the board will not grant Invenergy a permit because the plant is not needed and would cause unacceptable environmental harm,” said Elmer, who expects the Siting Board to announce its decision by the end of June.
Issued by DEM’s Office of Air Resources, the draft permit, preliminary determination, a fact sheet, and notice of public comment are available at www.dem.ri.gov/invenergy
“Evaluating the air quality impacts from the proposed power plant has been a critically important and complex process for DEM,” DEM Deputy Director for Environmental Protection Terrence D. Gray said in a statement.
“We have determined, based on our expert review of the application, that the facility will comply with federal and state air quality standards. We encourage others to carefully review the application and the draft permit and provide us with feedback.”
There could be changes to the permit based on the feedback, said DEM spokesman Michael Healey.
“Air quality is just one of the important issues that DEM is evaluating with regard to this proposed facility,” Healey added. “Wetlands and water quality are others.”
Scott Blake is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Blake@PBN.com
