Oxford Officials in Negotiation with CPV Over Tax Payments for Proposed Power Plant

The town of Oxford is expected to come to an agreement by Dec. 10 with Massachusetts based CPV regarding current negotiations to determine final tax figures for the proposed power plant, Jordan Otero reports for the Republican-American.

On Nov. 13, the Connecticut Siting Council agreed to consider an application for an 805-megawatt power plant to be built in an industrial zone on Woodruff Hill Road. A smaller 512-megawatt plant had been approved at the location based on a permit from 15-years ago.

According to the paper, for the smaller plant the average homeowner in Oxford would save $511 per year. If the new facility is approved, it is expected to generated $1 billion in private infrastructure investment, nearly $22 million in sales tax revenue during construction and $56 million in property taxes over 18 years.

In the first year, CPV has pledged to make a tax payment of $7,375,000, the paper reports. For the following 17 years, CPV will make annual payments that will increase from $2,350,000 to $2,950,000.

Meanwhile, concerned citizens in Oxford are opposed to the plant.

The group, “Stop Towantic Power” is trying to make residents aware of the negative effect of the plant. In a press release the group stated, “Natural gas (and oil) power plants add dangerous pollutants to the air that seriously impact the health of people within a ten mile radius, with children and the elderly most susceptible. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has linked air pollutants with cancer, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, respiratory symptoms, reproductive issues and birth defects. The plant will also create water problems, both in sourcing and disposal. When operating on natural gas, it will consume 58,000 gallons per day; in oil mode, it will use 1,000,000 gallons per day. Stop Towantic Power believes that consuming such a large amount of water could disrupt our aquifer and cause water shortages. That water, which is used to scrub the two 150 foot stacks, will ultimately be discharged into the Naugatuck River, contaminating it and harming fish, plants and wildlife.”

The group has also asserted that the plant is unnecessary as based on the Connecticut Siting Council’s Forecast Report (Docket No. F-2012/2013) that concludes electric generation supply will be adequate through 2022.

First Selectman George Temple told the paper that while speaking with town officials in other towns where CPV has plants have had positive experience with the plants.

Stop Towantic Power is urging concerned citizens to write to the Connecticut Siting Council (Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051), their state and federal legislative representatives, local media and especially to Oxford town officials to express their displeasure and disapproval.

Visit Stop Towantic Power to learn more.

Also Read:

Discussion on Proposed Power Plant in Oxford Draws Crowd

Tentative Date for Public Hearing on Proposed Power Plant in Oxford

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