PROVIDENCE – A coalition of trade groups and unions on Thursday formed a new group called the “Rhode Islanders for Affordable Energy” to advocate for cheaper energy, and more specifically the proposed gas-fired power plant in Burrillville.
The new coalition, comprising such members as The Energy Council of Rhode Island (TEC-RI), the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades, argues state ratepayers pay too much for energy and that Rhode Island’s energy outlook is uncertain.
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“Rhode Island homeowners and businesses large and small all face the heavy burden of sky-high and often unpredictable electricity costs,” said Douglas Gablinske, executive director of TEC-RI, and a member of the coalition. “These runaway energy costs are a major detriment to the ongoing recovery of our state’s economy, and it’s time for Rhode Island to finally tackle this issue.”
The group is urging the R.I. Energy Facility Siting Board to approve the Clear River Energy Center, a highly controversial 1,000-megawatt power plant proposed in Burrillville. Chicago-based Invenergy Thermal Development LLC is currently seeking permission from the state regulators to build the power plan, which was first pitched in 2015.
“As a coalition, we believe that building the new Burrillville power plant is the first step to bringing reliable, affordable energy to the state and providing much-needed relief to ratepayers,” Gablinske added.
The coalition couples private sector groups with union groups, the latter of which would like to see the creation of new construction jobs to build the $700 million power plant.
The group says it also plans to launch an informational campaign to educate Rhode Islanders about the issue of high-energy costs.
The regulatory process whether to approve the proposed Burrillville power plant has been repeatedly delayed, and it could be 2018 before a final decision is made. The proposed plant has been met with heavy pushback from environmental groups and local residents, who argue the fossil-fuel burning plant would harm to the community, the environment and is ultimately unneeded.
Eli Sherman is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Sherman@PBN.com, or follow him on Twitter @Eli_Sherman.
