Naugatuck Residens Mobilize Against Oxford Power Plant

Oxford’s tax rate will drop by 2.05 mills if a proposal to expand a proposed power plant in Oxford is approved by the Connecticut Siting Council.

But Naugatuck residents are rallying against the proposal which would lead to the creation of an 805-megawatt natural gas-fired power plant on 32 acres of land on the Oxford and Middlebury line.

Concerned residents led by Naugatuck’s Chester Cornacchia told the Citizen New’s Luke Marshall that the bigger plan will lead to more pollution for Naugatuck and environmental concerns.

The operators of the power plant already have approval to construct a 512-megawatt plant on 26 acres of land.

In fact the Borough of Naugatuck and the Naugatuck Water Pollution Control Authority have been granted intervenor status before the Siting Council, and a hearing is planned for next month.

Supporters of the power plant say Oxford’s taxes will go down and it will provide enough power for 750,000 houses, which could lead to saving for taxpayers.

Last week about 100 residents from Oxford, Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, Middlebury, drove up or took a bus to New Britain to oppose the proposed power plant for Oxford on Woodruff Hill Road that is located on the Middlebury line, The Waterbury Republican-American reports.

Protesters assembled at the Connecticut Siting Council’s offices. The Siting Council scheduled a hearing in Oxford on Jan. 15 which will include a site visit, and a hearing to be held at Oxford High School. The public will get to comment at 6 p.m. on Jan. 15, the Rep-Am reports.

The applicant will begin their presentation at 3 p.m.

In a statement provided to NBC Connecticut, Yanina Daigle, who handles external affairs for the company, said the merits of the plant has already been debated and the project needs to begin.

“We believe in that process, and while we disagree with the positions being advocated by the opponents, we look forward to a thorough review by the CSC of our request for an amendment to improve upon our existing certificate,” Daigle told NBC.