By Steve Klamkin WPRO News
A state regulatory panel has rejected a gas-fired power plant proposed for a wooded area in Northwestern Rhode Island, stating that it’s backers have not shown that it is needed.
Nearly four years after an application was submitted, the three-member Rhode Island Energy Facilities Siting Board rejected the application by Invenergy Thermal Development LLC to construct what the Chicago-based utility called the Clear River Energy Center in Burrillville.
In its 33-page decision, the board found that, “Invenergy, failed to show by a preponderance of the evidence
that its proposed Facility is “necessary to meet the needs of the state and/or region for energy of
the type to be produced by the proposed facility.””
Invenergy has ten days to appeal the decision, but opponents proclaimed it “a huge victory for Rhode Island and for the health of our communities.”
“In the face of climate emergency, opening a fossil fuel plant that will spew carbon pollution for decades is simply reckless,” said the Conservation Law Foundation’s Senior Attorney Jerry Elmer in a statement.
” After years of lies and misinformation, Invenergy’s efforts to pave over a forest to build this dirty plant have been dealt a substantial loss. This is proof that communities can stand up to big gas and win,” Elmer said.
