PROVIDENCE – Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin on Friday denounced a proposed power plant in Burrillville, saying it’s unneeded and bad for the economy and environment.
Kilmartin became the first statewide elected official to publicly oppose the 1,000-megawatt gas-fired project proposed by Invenergy Thermal Development LLC. The state’s top attorney said his reasoning stemmed from “growing evidence that the power plant is neither needed nor a positive for our economy or our environment.
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“In our role as the environmental advocate for the state of Rhode Island, I believe this power plant is not in the best interest of the state, the taxpayers, or our natural resources,” Kilmartin added.
The power plant, first proposed in 2015, has become the most hotly contested energy issue in the state. Advocates say the power plant would boost much-needed generation, and help keep electricity prices low in Rhode Island. Opponents, meanwhile, say it’s unnecessary and bad for the environment.
Kilmartin’s comments largely echoed the sentiment of those who oppose the project, citing a lack of need, legal uncertainty, damaging impacts to the environment and concerns about how much it might cost taxpayers.
Invenergy could not be immediately reached for comment.
The Chicago-based energy company is currently seeking permission from state regulators to build the power plant in Burrillville.
PBN FILE PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
The process has been repeatedly delayed, and Invenergy has run into various roadblocks, including a legal challenge from the Conservation Law Foundation and the town of Burrillville challenging the lawfulness of a water-supply agreement the company made with Johnston.
Kimartin said he intends to seek permission from R.I. Superior Court to file an amicus brief in the lawsuit challenging that agreement.
“The agreement to buy water from Johnston would be precedent setting, and in our legal opinion, in violation of state law,” Kilmartin said.
Jerry Elmer, a CLF attorney, has fought the proposed project since its inception. He lauded Kilmartin’s actions in a statement.
“CLF is delighted that Attorney General Kilmartin recognizes that Rhode Islanders should not be saddled with a huge price tag for a new fossil fuel plant our state doesn’t need and doesn’t want,” Elmer said. “We call on all of Rhode Island’s elected officials to speak out against Invenergy’s costly, reckless proposal.”
To date, most statewide leaders have largely avoided taking strong positions on the project as it makes its way through the regulatory process. The R.I. Energy Facility Siting Board, a three-member board, is tasked with approving or denying Invenergy’s proposal.
The board is scheduled to meet on Jan. 30, as CLF and Burrillville have asked it to suspend Invenergy’s proposal, pending the conclusion of a separate legal challenge currently before federal regulators.
Eli Sherman is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Sherman@PBN.com, or follow him on Twitter @Eli_Sherman.
Once again, a one-sided story by PBN. A very uninformed statement by the AG. One of the reasons RIers suffer from high electricity costs is a LACK of low-cost, low-carbon natural gas production capacity. Isn’t the AG’s job be to be the chief “law enforcement” officer of the state, not “the environmental advocate”? This is also an AG who has sided with AGs in other states to seek to prosecute those who disagree with the left’s extreme global warming policies.