WARWICK – State regulators resumed public hearings Wednesday on Invenergy Inc.’s proposed natural gas-burning power plant in Burrillville. The $1 billion proposal has pitted the Chicago-based company’s efforts to enter New England’s electricity supply market against environmentalists and local residents.
It could take several months before the Rhode Island Energy Facility Siting Board issues a decision on whether to permit the plant as the matter winds through a series of board procedures.
The hearings follow a decision last month by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, to accept a decision made by ISO New England, the region’s power grid operator, to cancel an electricity supply agreement with Invenergy for the proposed Clear River Energy Center.
Meanwhile, the company is seeking a construction permit and other permits from the state. The state had postponed the hearings while the FERC decision was pending.
The Siting Board was expected to hold another hearing Thursday, then resume hearings in January as it reviews various aspects of the proposal piecemeal. When the hearings conclude, there likely will be a deliberation period and other steps before the three-member board announces its decision, a board spokesman said.
In backing ISO New England’s decision to cancel its capacity supply obligation, or CSO, with Invenergy, FERC noted that its ruling did not address whether the proposed plant was needed or not.
However, environmentalists and other opponents of the project have hailed the cancelled CSO as a major setback for the project. The agreement covered the 2021-2022 period, but Invenergy can seek another CSO in following years.
Invenergy has maintained the proposed plant is needed to contribute to the region’s electricity supply and said it intends to push ahead with the project.
“While delays have shifted our timeline,” Invenergy spokeswoman Beth Conley said, “the permitting process continues, and we’re confident this important affordable energy source for Rhode Island will be built.”
Scott Blake is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Blake@PBN.com.
